Kohama Island Island
Small Okinawan island known for beaches and villages
Small island in the Yaeyama group near Ishigaki, Kohama Island offers beaches, coral reefs, narrow lanes for cycling and a quiet fishing‑village atmosphere; ferries link it to Ishigaki for day trips.
Kohama Island at a Glance#
About Kohama Island#
A small island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, forming part of the Yaeyama Islands and administered within the archipelago’s local municipal structure.
Long inhabited within the Ryukyuan island system, the island developed as an agricultural and fishing community and continues to retain a small permanent population and local traditions.
Located in the southwestern island chain of Okinawa Prefecture, southwest of the main island of Okinawa and accessible from Ishigaki and other nearby Yaeyama islands by ferry.
- Access: Part of the Yaeyama island group in Okinawa Prefecture and accessible by regular ferries from Ishigaki Island.
- Character: Small, rural island with beaches, coral reef surroundings and a compact village settlement typical of the Yaeyama islands.
How to Get to Kohama Island#
From Ishigaki (Ishigaki Port) take a ferry to Kohama-jima. Regular ferries and faster high-speed boats run from Ishigaki Port; the high-speed service typically takes about 25-30 minutes while the standard car/passenger ferry takes around 40 minutes. Ferries depart multiple times per day and arrive at Kohama Port, a short walk from the village and beaches.
If you are arriving by air, New Ishigaki Airport is served by shuttles, taxis and rental cars; the drive from the airport to Ishigaki Port is typically around 20-30 minutes, where you board the ferry to Kohama.
Tips for Visiting Kohama Island#
- Kohama Island is served by ferries from Ishigaki - check the ferry timetable in advance and plan your return trip carefully because afternoon ferries are busier and some services run only a few times a day.
- Rent a bicycle or arrange local transport on arrival (vehicle rental options are limited) so you can reach viewpoints and remote beaches before day-trip crowds arrive from Ishigaki.
- Aim for an early-morning arrival to enjoy quieter beaches and the island's viewpoints; many visitors who come on later ferries spend only a few hours and miss quieter inland sights and sunrise views.
Best Time to Visit Kohama Island#
Best visited in the dry season (December-April) for sunny weather, calm seas and easier island travel.
Weather & Climate near Kohama Island#
Kohama Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 16°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2151 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 16° - 20° | 18° | 155 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.7h |
| February | Acceptable | 16° - 20° | 18° | 138 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| March | Good | 18° - 22° | 20° | 138 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Good | 20° - 25° | 23° | 159 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.6h |
| May | Good | 23° - 27° | 25° | 210 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.2h |
| June | Good | 25° - 29° | 31° | 183 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.5h |
| July | Good | 26° - 31° | 34° | 162 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.4h |
| August | Very Good | 26° - 31° | 33° | 235 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.9h |
| September | Very Good | 25° - 29° | 30° | 223 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Good | 23° - 27° | 25° | 212 mm | overcast | 78% | 5.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.5h |
| November | Good | 21° - 24° | 22° | 185 mm | overcast | 78% | 5.2 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 10.8h |
| December | Acceptable | 18° - 21° | 20° | 151 mm | overcast | 77% | 4.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.5h |
