Kohama is 25–30 minutes from Ishigaki by high-speed ferry. Sugar Road, a single straight road through sugarcane fields, runs through the middle of the island, and the lookout on Mt. Ufudake (99 m) sees eight Yaeyama islands. The island has two large resorts, Haimurubushi and Risonare Kohamajima, while the village itself is a quiet cluster of red-tile houses.
Key facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | 7.84 km² |
| Population | 706 (460 households) |
| Municipality | Taketomi Town |
| Ferry from Ishigaki | About 25–30 minutes |
| Fare (adult) | ¥1,720 one way, ¥3,340 round trip |
| Frequency | Winter timetable (from October 2026): 10 departures a day between the two companies. Rarely cancelled in winter |
| Getting around | Electric bicycles (rented at the port), rental cars, resort shuttles. The island is hilly |
Every departure time for both ferry companies is on the Ishigaki ferry timetable page.
Getting there
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Anei Kanko both serve Kohama, with round-trip discounts. Ten boats a day make it easy to plan either a day trip or an overnight, and the route keeps running in the north-wind season when Hateruma and Uehara boats stop.
A half-day route
Arrive on a boat around 9:00, rent an electric bicycle at the port, and ride Sugar Road, the Mt. Ufudake lookout, the manta lookout at Hosozaki and the red-tile village. You can be back on an early-afternoon boat; three to four hours is enough. Resort guests are met at the port by hotel shuttles.
Events
The Kitsugan Festival in November is the island's biggest event, with offerings of music and dance.
Questions
Can I see the island in half a day?
Yes. By electric bicycle, Sugar Road, the Mt. Ufudake lookout, Hosozaki and the village take three to four hours.
Kohama or Kuroshima?
Kohama is hilly with resorts and 10 boats a day; Kuroshima is flat, quiet and cycling-friendly with 6 boats a day. Choose by whether you want a resort or a village stay.
Do the boats run in winter?
Yes. Even on the winter timetable there are 10 a day, and cancellations are rare compared with Hateruma and Uehara.
Figures and schedules change. This page was last checked in October 2026.
