# Kumejima

Kumejima (久米島), or simply Kume (久米), is an island in Okinawa, Japan, about 100 km west of the main Okinawa Island.

## Understand

The island is administered as one municipality, Kumejima Town.

### Tourist information site

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated machine translation.

## Get in
### By plane

26.363611126.7138891 Kumejima Airport (UEO ) has daily flights from Naha on Japan Transocean Air and Ryukyu Air Commuter (35mins one way, ¥10,000). During the summer months of July and August, Japan Transocean Air also operates once a day flights direct to and from Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

### By ferry

The Kume Shosen runs twice daily from Naha's Tomarin Port to Kumejima's Kanegusuku Port (departs 8:30am and 2:00pm, approximately 3.5 hours, ¥6,450 roundtrip). The morning ferry daily stops at Tonaki on the way, adding 30 min to the journey.

## Get around

Kumejima has an inconvenient but affordable bus system that runs around the entire island. There are also a few car rental companies located at the airport and ferry port. Some shops around town also offer bicycles and moped scooters available for rent.

## See

* Hatenohama. Sandbar located 15 mins off of Kumejima. Accessible by tour boats, jet ski, or kayaks. Great for snorkeling. Kumejima's finest white sand beach and crystal clear blue waters.
* Uezu House (上江洲家住宅 uezu-ke jūtaku), 816 Nishime. This traditional Okinawan style house was built in 1726. It is the former home of the governing parties during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Adults ¥300.
* 26.376389126.7691671 Uegusuku Castle (宇江城城 uegusuku-jō). The castle ruins are located on the top the highest point in Okinawa, offering great views of the entire island, adjacent Hatenohama sandbar, and neighboring islands.
* 26.338611126.8280562 Ōjima island (奥武島). Where is located Tatami Ishi (畳石), an arrangement of stones in pentagonal and hexagonal shapes, resembling a carapace. (updated Jan 2016)
* Eef Beach (イーフビーチ). Fine white sand beach named one of the 100 Best Beaches in Japan.

## Do

Kumejima offers various water and outdoor activities from scuba diving, snorkeling, ocean kayaking, boat tours, and other water sports.

### Diving

* Eef Marine Holiday, ☏ +81 98-985-7312.

### Hatenohama Tours

* Kumejima Marine Sports, 098-985-8648
* Kumejima Kaiyoreja Kyodokumiai, 098-896-8418
Ocean Kayaking and Water sports:
Please see Sleep for Eef Beach and Kume Island Resort contact information. Both resorts offer water sport activities.

### Yearly events

* Kumejima Hari Races (Okinawan Boat Races): held on the first weekend in May
* Kumejima Matsuri (Festival): held on the first weekend in August; features live traditional Okinawan music and dance, as well as special guests from all over Okinawa; food booths, competitions, prizes; Kumejima's main event of the year
* Kumejima Marathon: held on the fourth Sunday of October; http://www.kumejima-marathon.com/%5Bdead+link%5D

## Buy

There are a number of souvenir gift shops (omiyage) selling local favourites from Kumejima Miso Cookies, various Kumejima salts, Kumejima tsumugi, Okinawan pottery, and Kumejima's Kumesen.

## Eat

Most restaurants will have almost the same menu, specializing in local Okinawan cuisine such as Okinawan Soba, various champurus, and fresh local fish specialities.

## Drink

Kumesen: Kumejima's famous awamori (Okinawan sake) offered at most restaurants
* Spiral Reggae Bar. Small hole-in-the-wall bar/restaurant, also offering delicious Indonesian/Thai cuisines

## Sleep

* Kume Island Resort Hotel, ☏ +81 98-985-8001. Luxury resort located a 1 minute walk from Eef Beach.
* EN Resort Kumejima Eef Beach Hotel (久米島イーフビーチホテル), Eefu beach (east end of Eefu beach), ☏ +81 98-985-7111. Check-out: 11am. Luxury resort with western-style ocean view rooms. ¥5000 per person including breakfast.
* La Teada Kumejima Terrace (ラ・ティーダ久米島テラス), ☏ +81 98-896-8100. Mid-priced hotel.
* Kumejima-Bekkan (久米島別館) (near Kanegusuku Port), ☏ +81 98 985-5333. Japanese minshuku From ¥4200 a night.
* Minshuku Amimoto, ☏ +81 98-985-8856. Traditional style Japanese minshuku located on Ojima; rooms from ¥3675 a night.
* Dormitory Kum, ☏ +81 90-4986-8899. Budget dormitory-style hostel from ¥1800 a night.

## Go next

Kume is the end of the line: the only way out is to go back to Naha.