Yoronjima

Island

Prefecture

Kagoshima

Type

Island

N/A

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Restaurant Cafe

About This Destination

The southernmost island in Kagoshima Prefecture, about 23 km from the northern tip of Okinawa's main island and small enough to drive around in an hour. Most visitors come for Yurigahama, a sandbar 1.5 km offshore that appears only around low tide and is reached by boat.

Yoronjima is a flat coral island of about 21 square kilometres with 23.5 km of coast and a high point of just 98 m. Okinawa's main island is about 23 km to the southwest, and the island is easier to reach from Naha than from Kagoshima. Ryukyu Air Commuter flies from Naha in about 40 minutes; Japan Air Commuter takes about 1 hour 40 minutes from Kagoshima and about 40 minutes from Amami. The Marue Ferry and Marix Line ships alternate days on the Kagoshima to Naha run, and the numbers explain why most people fly: 19 hours 40 minutes from Kagoshima, against 4 hours 50 minutes from Naha and 2 hours 30 minutes from Motobu. Yurigahama is the draw. The sandbar lies in the lagoon 1.5 km off Oganeku Beach and surfaces only around low tide, so boat trips follow the tide table rather than the clock, and wind or swell can stop it appearing at all. Bring something to hold star sand: local lore says finding as many grains as your age brings happiness. Evenings belong to Yoron Kenpo, where the host makes a short speech, drinks a cup of brown-sugar shochu and passes it round the table.

Location

Prefecture: Kagoshima

Address: Yoron, Kagoshima, Japan

Nearest Station: Yoron Airport

Best time to visit: Spring-tide days around low tide for Yurigahama (the tourism association publishes a monthly calendar); late summer and autumn typhoons can cancel flights and ferries, so leave a spare day

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Yoronjima?

Fly from Naha (about 40 minutes), Kagoshima (about 1 hour 40 minutes) or Amami (about 40 minutes). By sea, Marue Ferry and Marix Line take about 4 hours 50 minutes from Naha or 2 hours 30 minutes from Motobu, but about 19 hours 40 minutes from Kagoshima.

When does Yurigahama appear, and how do I get there?

Only around low tide, best on spring tides; the Yoron Island Tourism Association posts a calendar of good days, but wind and waves can still keep it under water. You go by boat with a local marine shop from Oganeku Beach, Mugiya fishing port or Minata Beach; book ahead, and note that toilets and changing rooms are only at the departure point.

Do I need a car on Yoronjima?

It helps. There are no buses or taxis at the airport or port, and the island has a single taxi company with two cars. The loop bus costs 200 yen a ride and runs from 7:30 to 17:28, and rental cars, bicycles and scooters can be booked on the island.

What is Yoron Kenpo?

A drinking custom for welcoming guests: the host gives a short speech, drinks a cup of the island's brown-sugar shochu and passes the cup to each guest in turn, who speaks and drinks too. Say 'tō' when you have had enough; the tourism association is clear that no one should ever be pressured to drink.