Izena Island (Izena-jima)

If you are in the northern area of Okinawa and want to experience beautiful coral islands even further off the beaten path, Izena Island (also known as Izena-jima) is the place to visit. Izena Island and neighboring Iheya Island (also known as Iheya-jima) have very limited tourist infrastructure, however they give a glimpse into the way these islanders truly live, and boast spectacular white sandy beaches and pristine colorful coral reefs despite climate change. We also recommend visiting neighboring Yanaha Island and Gushikawa Island, which are now uninhabited and blessed with pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear tropical water.

Island-hopping (for example to Gushikawa Island)

A boat service between islands is operated by fishermen and is called watashibune (渡し船 in Japanese). You can ask the fisheries cooperative to arrange a watashibune: 0980-45-2018. It is also possible to ask a fisherman with a boat at the port (not the main port but Uchibana port 内花漁港).

For those who are considering traveling to Izena Island/Okinawa Main Island outside summer months of May to October, especially for avid snorkelers, we recommend the Miyako Islands or Yaeyama Islands (such as Ishigaki and Iriomote) over Izena Island/Okinawa Main Island because of warmer temperatures for both air and underwater. Okinawa Main Island and the other northern islands of Okinawa Prefecture have Humid Subtropical climate while the southern islands of Okinawa Prefecture (Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands) have Tropical Rainforest climate, which causes noticeable differences in both air temperatures and water temperatures during November to April.