Kuro Island (黒島 Kuroshima) is one of the smaller of the Yaeyama Islands of Japan.

Culture and History

This island is famous for cattle and there are about 3000 cows in this island in spite of the fact that there are only 200 people. This island is completely away from modern life. for example, there are no convinience stores, no DVD rental stores, no signal on the street etc. This island has nothing except for a beautiful beach, arguably more beautiful than those on Okinawa Island. Plus, as there are few people on the beach, it is going to be private beach if you are lucky.

Travel to Kuro - Visa Requirements

By boat

Ten daily departures from Ishigaki; 30 minutes travel time.

Tours and Getting around Kuro

Bicycles can be rented at the port.

Kuro tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • Nishi no Hama (西の浜), just west of the port, isn't much in the way of a beach, but it's a spawning ground for sea turtles during summer nights. The turtles are a protected species, of course, so viewing them is possible only under strictly regulated conditions.
  • The small Kuroshima Research Station (黒島研究所) [1] studies mostly sea turtles, and plenty of juvenile specimens can be viewed in tanks. There's also a fearsome coconut crab in a cage, as well as coral and shells on display. Entry is ¥300. Nighttime excursions to view the sea turtles are available for ¥1500.
  • Cows. Everywhere. Cows.

Kuro city tours

  • Nakamoto Beach (仲本海岸) doesn't have turtles, but the reef is a pretty good snorkeling spot.

Kuro souvenirs and shopping

Kuro Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Kuro nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Kuro cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

  • Shimajuku Nankuru (しま宿南来), 0980-85-4304. Lodging with 2 meals, ¥5500.

Get out

This page was last edited by Wikitravel user Episteme. Based on work by Stacy Hall, Paul N. Richter and Jani Patokallio and Wikitravel user(s) Jonboy and Huttite. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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