This article introduces the beaches of Taketomi Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
Taketomi Island lies in Okinawa Prefecture’s Yaeyama Islands and measures roughly 9.2 km around.
Despite a population of about 360, the island welcomed some 510,000 visitors in 2019, making it a firm favourite among travellers.
Getting to Taketomi Island
Reaching Taketomi Island means taking the ferry from Ishigaki Port to Taketomi Port.
There is no airport on Taketomi Island, so you will need to travel via Ishigaki Port on Ishigaki Island.
Ferry fares are set out in the table below.
Once on Taketomi Island, your options are as follows.
- Paid bus
- Rental bicycle
- On foot
Personally we recommend a rental bicycle, though it is worth staying flexible depending on where you are headed and the weather.
*There are no rental cars or rental motorbikes on Taketomi Island
| Ishigaki Port → Taketomi Port | Adults: 790 yen one-way, 1,520 yen round trip Children: 410 yen one-way, 790 yen round trip Disability discount: 490 yen one-way, 980 yen round trip *Full fare details here |
| Taketomi Port → getting to each spot | Paid bus Rental bicycle On foot |
| Taketomi Port address | Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture |
Kondoi Beach
Kondoi Beach is known for its exceptionally clear water and beautiful sand.
Okinawa has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
With showers, restrooms and activities all on site, it draws large crowds through the summer season.
| Access: Taketomi Port → Kondoi Beach | Bus: about 5 min Bicycle: about 15 min On foot: about 30 min |
| Address | Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | Yes |
| Bicycle parking | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
Kaiji Beach
Kaiji Beach is a beautiful stretch of shore famous for its star sand.
The water is wonderfully clear, and the emerald-green expanse makes for a lovely scene.
It is the island’s second most popular beach after Kondoi Beach.
| Access: Taketomi Port → Kaiji Beach | Bus: about 5 min Bicycle: about 15 min On foot: about 35 min |
| Address | Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | None |
| Bicycle parking | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
Nishi-sanbashi Pier
Nishi-sanbashi is a pier on the small island of Taketomi.
The pier measures 105.3 m and was listed as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2005.
It served as a working pier until around 1973, and today it is one of Taketomi Island’s most visited sights.
By day it offers emerald-green water, and by evening it is famous as a spot for spectacular sunsets.
| Access: Taketomi Port → Nishi-sanbashi | Bus: about 5 min Bicycle: about 10 min On foot: about 25 min |
| Address | Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | None |
| Bicycle parking | Yes |
| Restroom | None |
Aiyaru Beach
Aiyaru Beach is Taketomi Island’s quiet corner, drawing far fewer visitors than Kondoi or Kaiji.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island sits close by, lending the area a distinctly resort-like feel.
There are no swimming facilities here, so it suits anyone looking to relax by the shore rather than get in the water.
| Access: Taketomi Port → Aiyaru Beach | Bus: none Bicycle: about 15 min On foot: about 30 min |
| Address | Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | None |
| Bicycle parking | Yes |
| Restroom | None |
Taketomi Island: more to know
Activities & Snorkeling on Taketomi Island
Taketomi Island also offers activities such as snorkeling.
Join a tour and you may spot clownfish and beautiful coral reefs!
Tours can be booked online, so take a look if you are interested!
Water buffalo cart tour
The water buffalo cart tour is the quintessential Taketomi Island experience.
You can book ahead or on the day, but booking ahead means far less waiting, so we recommend it.
The village streets of Taketomi
The village streets of Taketomi are lovely, with hibiscus, deigo and bougainvillea in bloom.
The lanes through the village centre are made of white sand — coral fragments carried up from the shore, which is what gives them their striking white colour.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island is a luxury resort offering a complete escape from everyday life.
The guest rooms have red-tiled roofs in keeping with the island’s character, and outside there is a beautiful pool.
It is our pick for anyone wanting to experience something out of the ordinary on Taketomi Island.
Summary
This article introduced four of Taketomi Island’s beaches, from the best known to the quietest.
Taketomi Island has no shortage of beautiful beaches.
With a rental bicycle you can take in every one of them on a day trip, and fit in a water buffalo cart tour besides.
If you are heading to Taketomi Island, do make time for its beaches.
We hope this article proves useful.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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