Okinawa is home to a variety of remote islands, both large and small. Some islands are introduced on TV programs, while others are rarely seen in the media. We decided to find out which remote islands are the most popular.
How many islands are there in Okinawa?
Before introducing the ranking of remote islands, we would like to mention the number of islands in Okinawa. According to the GSI website, the number of islands in Okinawa is 691 (the number of islands in Japan is 14,125). I am a little surprised that there are more islands than I thought, but it seems that there are indeed that many. Amazing, Okinawa.
出典：国土交通省国土地理院ウェブサイト「日本の島の数」
Conducting a questionnaire on remote islands
Olmeca conducted a survey (*1) of a total of 200 people, consisting of 100 men and 100 women in their 20s to 60s who like Okinawa, about their favorite remote islands in Okinawa. For this survey, we excluded remote islands that can be reached by car, such as Kouri Island and Ike Island, and prepared a list of islands that are likely to be well-known to some extent as options. We then asked the respondents to choose only one favorite remote island.
Top 10 Most Popular Remote Islands in Okinawa”
When multiple remote islands were listed and respondents were asked to choose their single favorite remote island in Okinawa, the top 10 results were as follows (you could also select a remote island you haven’t visited yet):
1st: Ishigaki Island (21.0%)
2nd: Miyako Island (17.0%)
3rd: Taketomi Island (6.5%)
4th: Yonaguni Island (5.5%)
5th: Iriomote Island (4.0%)
6th: Ie Island (2.5%)
7th: Mizugama Island (2.0%)
7th: Kohama Island (2.0%)
9th: Tokashiki Island (1.5%)
10th: Kudaka Island (1.0%)
10th: Zamami Island (1.0%)
10th: Kume Island (1.0%)
No. 1: Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island, which ranked first with 21.0%, is the most popular remote island. As the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands, which include Hateruma Island, Kohama Island, and Kuroshima Island, Ishigaki Island is highly favored.
There are many popular spots on Ishigaki Island, including Kabira Bay, which was awarded three stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japon, the Kabira Ishizaki Manta Scramble, known for its high encounter rate with manta rays, and the Ishigaki Island stalactite caves. Additionally, when traveling to other remote islands in the Yaeyama archipelago, you generally travel by boat from Ishigaki Island. This may explain why it is so popular as a base for exploring the remote islands.
When asked why they chose Ishigaki Island, some of the responses included: ‘It’s just the right place to enjoy nature while still being moderately urban’ (female, 30s), ‘The clarity of the ocean is wonderful’ (male, 60s), ‘I want to enjoy nature and leisure activities that can only be experienced here’ (male, 60s), ‘All the islands are lovely, but Ishigaki Island is my favorite’ (female, 60s), and ‘Diving was fun’ (male, 30s).
No. 2: Miyako Island
In second place was Miyako Island with 17.0%. Personally, I thought Miyako Island might be number one in this ranking, so this result was a bit surprising.
Miyako Island is a remote island with countless attractions, including the ‘Miyako Blue’ sea, which is known for its exceptional clarity, Yonaha Maehama Beach, said to be the best in the East, Yaebiji, the largest table-shaped coral reef in Japan, and luxury resort hotels. You can also enjoy driving to Kurima Island, Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, and Ikema Island.
Free comments included: ‘I visited once on a company trip, and the sea was so beautiful that I want to go back’ (a man in his 50s), ‘The sea is so beautiful, I want to visit. The stars must be beautiful too’ (a woman in her 40s), and ‘You can drive around the island, and the sea is beautiful’ (a woman in her 40s).
Additionally, a man in his 20s left a passionate comment: ‘It’s my parents’ hometown, so the ocean is really beautiful! It’s so different from the Kanto area. Destroying such rich nature is really bad! The government should take better care of nature. It’s not good to create cities where people live comfortably but at the cost of nature. We need to create a world where we coexist with nature. Going to remote islands in Okinawa can bring peace of mind and happiness and allows us to truly appreciate the greatness of nature!
No.3: Taketomi Island
Third place went to Taketomi Island with 6.5%. Once again, a remote island in the Yaeyama Archipelago made the list. Taketomi Island, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island, is known for its beautiful traditional villages, which have been designated as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The island also features tourist spots such as Kondoi Beach, a lovely beach with shallow waters.
Free comments included: ‘The tranquil ocean nature makes me feel as if time has stopped’ (a woman in her 20s), ‘Time feels slower here’ (a man in his 60s), and ‘You can see the original landscape of Okinawa’ (a man in his 60s).
4th: Yonaguni Island
In fourth place, with 5.5% of the votes, was Yonaguni Island. Located at the westernmost tip of Japan, Yonaguni Island is perhaps best known for the Yonaguni Horse, designated as a natural treasure by Yonaguni Town, and for having TV personality Miyazono as its tourism ambassador. Since I have never visited this remote island myself, I have limited knowledge about it and cannot provide much detail. I hope to add more information if I visit in the future.
Free comments included ‘beautiful sea’ (female, 20s) and ‘rich in nature’ (female, 30s).
5th: Iriomote Island
Fifth place went to Iriomote Island with 4.0%. The main attraction of Iriomote Island, which is home to the largest mangrove forest in Japan, is its natural environment. Iriomote Island offers a unique charm compared to other islands, with plants and animals that can only be found here. Personally, I love Iriomote Island as I have seen various rare creatures there, such as crested serpent eagles, Xenagama lizards, and coconut crabs.
I checked the free comments and found responses such as: ‘I was able to explore the jungle, the ocean is beautiful, and I met interesting people. The nature is abundant’ (female, 40s), ‘I want to see rare animals’ (female, 40s), and ‘The wilderness here is different from the mainland, which is very appealing’ (male, 30s).
Are people who like remote islands in the minority?
In fact, the most common response in this survey was ‘I don’t like remote islands’ (27.0%).
Most free comments were along the lines of ‘I don’t know because I’ve never been to a remote island.’ Other responses included: ‘I prefer sightseeing in cities to some extent’ (a man in his 30s), ‘I don’t want to go all the way to a remote island’ (a woman in her 60s), and ‘It’s too far and transportation is expensive’ (a man in his 30s). It’s understandable, as traveling to remote islands requires additional time and money.
Possibility of a large-scale golf resort on Ishigaki Island
Looking back at this year’s ranking, it’s clear that many people who love remote islands are seeking nature. The beautiful ocean, and the unique nature, flora, and fauna of these islands are their main attractions. However, did you know that a large-scale golf resort is currently being planned for Ishigaki Island?
There are several concerns about this project, including the presence of the endangered crested serpent eagle, a national special natural treasure, in the planned site and surrounding areas. There are also concerns about the impact on the Ramsar Convention wetlands of Nagura Ampal and Nagura Bay, and the large amount of underground water required to operate the golf course.
For more information on this plan, which could significantly impact Ishigaki Island’s nature and wildlife, you can visit the websites of the ‘Crested Serpent Eagle Village and Forest Protection Association’ and ‘WWF Japan’.
(*1) Survey conducted using Cross Marketing’s QiQUMO on September 6, 2023.
