Hateruma Island from Ishigaki

Nishihama Beach, Hateruma Island. Photo: Paipateroma, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Japan's southernmost inhabited island and one of Yaeyama's best beaches. Two boats a day each way, so think about staying the night.

What to see and know

• Japan's southernmost inhabited island, about 60 km southwest of Ishigaki. Mostly flat sugarcane fields. (Visit Okinawa Japan, Hateruma Island)
• A stone monument on Cape Takanazaki marks the southernmost point of inhabited land, above cliffs hit by heavy surf. (Taketomi Town, Hateruma Island (English))
• Nishihama Beach in the northwest has white sand and clear water, ranked among the best in the Yaeyama Islands. (Taketomi Town, Hateruma Island (English))
• The star observation tower is listed as closed (休館中) on the town's Japanese island page. Check status before relying on it. (Taketomi Town, Hateruma Island (Japanese))
• No public transport on the island. Visitors rent a car, scooter or bicycle; most inns shuttle their overnight guests. (JNTO, Hateruma Island Starry Sky Observation Tower)
• The high-speed boat from Ishigaki takes about 60 to 100 minutes and does not run at night, so stargazers should stay overnight. (JNTO, Hateruma Island Starry Sky Observation Tower; Visit Okinawa Japan, Hateruma Island)

Boats

Highlighted: the next departure in Japan time. Tickets work only on the operator that sold them.

Hateruma ferry timetable

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