Aerial view of Japanese tropical island, Panari (Aragusuku-jima), Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Fringing reef, Kuroshima of Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Clearest turquoise water of Tropical Japan, Aragusuku Island

Coral cay in tropical Japan, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Kuroshima and coral reef lagoon, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Snorkeling in Sekisei Lagoon of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

One of many deserted tropical beaches on southern Japanese islands, Yaeyama

Kuroshima cycling, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Kuroshima off-the-beach snorkeling, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Kuroshima beach, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Clear tropical water of Aragusuku, Yaeyama Islands, Japan

Recovering coral of Sekisei Lagoon, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Snorkeling over massive coral in southern Japan, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Kuroshima wagyu cow ranch, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Kuroshima from above, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Kuroshima by bicycle, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Snorkeling in warm tropical water of southern Japan

Deserted coral island of tropical Japan, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Idyllic tropical water of southern Japan, Yaeyama Islands

Deserted beach cove of tropical Japan, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Deserted tropical island of Japan, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Aerial view of Aragusuku-jima (Panari) of Yaeyama Island, Tropical Japan

Pristine coral reef around Aragusuku Island of Yaeyama, Okinawa

Coral reef snorkeling around Aragusuku Island of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Tropical turquoise water of southern Japan, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa

Snorkeling beach of Kuroshima, Yaeyama Islands

Kuroshima & Aragusuku Island of the Yaeyama Islands

Located about 19km from Ishigaki Island, accessible by ferry, Kuro Island (also known as Kuroshima) is a charming, sparsely populated cattle ranch island. As Wagyu beef fans might know, Kuroshima is famous for producing calves for top Wagyu ranchers like Matsusaka Beef. The population of Kuroshima is approximately 200, however the island is home to over 10 times more cows than humans!
With a picture-perfect 12km perimeter, this flat coral island invites a slow paced cycle on a rent-a-bike, while taking in the beautiful surrounding sea. A few days is enough on this island for most people.

Aragusuku Island (Panari, as it is known in dialect) comprises two islands, Kamiji and Shimoji. Just a few families still live on Kamiji keeping up their ancestral lands, while Shimoji Island is entirely given over to cow pasturage, being flat and formed by emerged coral reefs.

We recommend the snorkeling or diving tour operated by Kuroki-san, our long-time local friend living on Kuroshima. He takes small groups by boat to the best place for the day in Sekisei lagoon (depending on the tide, wind and clarity conditions). It’s ¥10,000 for a whole day snorkeling tour, which includes lunch and a walking tour of Aragusuku Island.

About the Yaeyama Island Group:
The Yaeyama Islands have one of the largest coral reef systems in Asia. These islands are located near the Tropic of Cancer; more south than Taipei and closer to the northern islands of the Philippines than to Okinawa Main Island. If you like jungles as well as beaches, we highly recommend the Yaeyama Island group. The Yaeyama Islands are also perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are many off-the-beach spots, but a tour by boat with a local guide is the best, as they know the finest points of the day, depending on the weather and water clarity conditions, and your own preferences, ie. if you want to see sea turtles, manta rays or specific coral, or many different types of coral, etc.

PrefectureOkinawa (Yaeyama Island Group)Size10 sq km (Kuroshima), 1.76 sq km (Kamiji Island), 1.58 sq km (Shimoji Island)PopulationApproximately 200 (Kuroshima), Under 10 (Aragusuku Islands)AccessKuroshima is accessible by ferry which runs frequently between Ishigaki Island and Kuroshima. It takes 25 minutes. The Aragusuku Islands are accessible by boat tour or taxi-boat from Iriomote or KuroshimaGetting aroundBicycle rental (Kuroshima), on foot (Aragusuku Islands)