Nature
Kudaka Island
Kudaka Island is an island in Ryukyu Islands, located in Nanjō, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan and 5.3 kilometers away from Cape Chinen, Nanjō. From Nanjō, Kudaka Island can be reached by high-speed boat in 15 minutes and by ferry in 20 minutes. It is only about three miles off the southeast coast of Okinawa.
What Kudaka Island Is
Kudaka Island is a small, flat coral island off the southeast coast of Okinawa's main island, within Nanjō city limits. It's known in Ryukyuan tradition as a sacred island tied to local creation legends, and it still has a number of utaki (sacred groves) and small shrines that residents maintain. There are no major built attractions — the appeal is the quiet coastline, low scrubby vegetation, and a handful of village lanes you can walk in an unhurried afternoon. It works well for travelers who want a slower, low-key contrast to the resorts and traffic of central Okinawa.
Getting There
Access is by boat from Azama Port in Nanjō, on the southeast coast of the main island. A high-speed boat takes about 15 minutes; a regular ferry takes about 20 minutes. There is no bridge or car access, so you'll need to plan around the boat schedule and leave the car at the port.
Time to Allow
Most visitors spend half a day on the island, enough time to walk a loop of the coastal road, see a few of the sacred sites, and stop for lunch. Renting a bicycle at the port on arrival is a common way to cover more ground without a car, since the island is small and mostly flat.
When to Go
Mornings give you the most flexibility with boat timings and cooler walking conditions before the midday heat. Some areas of the island are considered sacred and are off-limits or restricted to visitors, particularly around utaki sites — signage and local guidance should be respected. The island is not heavily crowded compared to mainland Okinawa beaches, but boat capacity is limited, so it's worth confirming sailing times in advance rather than assuming frequent departures.
Combining With Other Sights
Sefa-utaki, one of Okinawa's most significant sacred sites, is about 6.2km from Kudaka Island and pairs naturally with a visit here given the shared spiritual history. Nakagusuku Bay (8.4km) and Ou Island (11.8km) are also within reach for a fuller day around Nanjō, while Gyokusendō cave (13.7km) suits travelers extending the day further inland.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
