Tarama Island
Island Tropical island in Okinawa Prefecture, remote community
An Okinawan island in the Miyako group with sandy beaches, coral reefs and a small village life appealing to divers and slow-paced visitors.
Tarama Island is a small island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, administered as Tarama Village together with the nearby Minna islet. It lies within the Ryukyu island chain between the Miyako and Okinawa island groups.
Tarama has been inhabited for centuries as part of the Ryukyu maritime cultural sphere and has been administered within modern Okinawa Prefecture since the late 19th and 20th centuries. Local livelihoods have traditionally focused on fishing and small-scale agriculture.
Located in the southern East China Sea within Okinawa Prefecture, the island sits between the larger Miyako Islands and the main Okinawa island group and is accessed by regional ferry or local air links.
- Access: The island is connected to regional ferry routes that link smaller Okinawan islands, and air service operates seasonally to nearby hubs for residents and visitors.
What to See #
- Tarama Village (Tarama and Minna): Part of a village administration that includes the smaller nearby islet of Minna, with the two islands governed together as Tarama Village within Okinawa Prefecture.
How to Get to Tarama Island #
Tarama Island is reached by ferry from nearby islands or by small plane from Okinawa’s main islands when services run. Check ferry timetables and local flight schedules; weather can affect connections.
Tips for Visiting Tarama Island #
- Ferry schedules to Tarama Island are limited-confirm dates and times in advance.
- Bring cash; local services are small and card acceptance is not guaranteed.
- Explore the island's beaches early in the morning for the clearest water and calmest conditions.
Best Time to Visit Tarama Island #
Most visitors prefer late spring through autumn for calm seas and warm water.
Weather & Climate near Tarama Island #
Tarama 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 (2125 mm/year), wettest in August.
January
January is mild with highs of 20°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (214 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (190 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 35°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (160 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (243 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (211 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (207 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (172 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
