Travel Guide Kerama-Shotō

The Kerama archipelago, located at a good thirty kilometers from Naha, has several islands and islets scattered around the Kerama Strait. There are also beautiful beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs, between May and July. It is possible to go snorkeling. The coral reefs, which are said to be the most beautiful in Japan, hide beautiful tropical fish. Most of the diving clubs are concentrated on Zamami Island, Aka, Geruma and the south of Tokashiki (Aharen). Aka and Geruma are less touristy than Zamami. The oldest Japanese style house (200 years old) in the archipelago (and inhabited!) is located at the end of the hamlet of Asa, in Zamami. It has been restored by a Frenchman! In Geruma island, an old house of the national cultural heritage has been reconstituted, the Takara house. It has been transformed into a museum. In the three islands, you will find several minshuku at affordable prices. A ferry leaves from Naha (Tomari), either to Tokashiki or to Zamami (Aka), and takes 30 min to 1 hour for Tokashiki, and twice that for Zamami. Every year, between January and April, the humpback whale mating season is in full swing. The cetaceans migrate to the waters near the archipelago. The show is grandiose.