The Complete Guide to Hamahiga Island
How to explore the Island of the Gods — sacred sites, beaches, cafes, and access, guided by a local operator based on the island.
What is Hamahiga Island — the “Island of the Gods” beyond the Sea Road
Hamahiga Island is a small island floating off the east coast of Uruma City, in central Okinawa's main island. Cross the Kaichu-Doro (Sea Road) to Henza Island, then cross the Hamahiga Bridge, and you'll find a village of red-tiled traditional houses and stone walls — a place where old Okinawan time still lingers.
It is known as the“Island of the Gods,” said to be where Amamichu and Shirumichu, the ancestral deities of the Ryukyu creation myth, once lived, and a culture of prayer is still alive throughout the island today. Its greatest charm is the quiet — a place that has never been over-developed for tourism.
Access & Parking
Access is by car only. From Okinawa's main island, cross the Kaichu-Doro (Sea Road), pass through Henza Island, and cross the Hamahiga Bridge. The gradient of the sea on both sides, seen from atop the bridge, is itself one of the island's highlights.
- From Naha Airport: about an hour or so by car
- From Okinawa City: about 40 minutes by car
- From the Kaichu-Doro (Umi-no-Eki Ayahashi-kan): about 15 minutes by car
Parking is available near Hamahiga Beach and close to Shirumichu. The roads within the village are narrow and also serve as residents' everyday routes, so please avoid parking on the street and use the designated parking spaces.
Sacred Sites of the Island of the Gods — Amamichu and Shirumichu
The Tomb of Amamichu sits on “Amanji,” a small rocky islet off the Higa village on the north side of the island. It enshrines the goddess Amamichu, said to have created Ryukyu, and at the start of the year rituals are held there to pray for a good harvest and freedom from illness — making it one of the most important places on the island.
The Shirumichu sacred grounds lie on the south side of the island, on the edge of the Higa village. The place of worship is a cave at the top of a stone stairway through the forest, and it draws pilgrims from within and beyond the prefecture as a sacred site for praying for children. Below the grounds spread rocky shallows and a small beach, and at low tide a distinctive landscape emerges.
Etiquette for visitors:Both are sacred places where prayers still continue today. Don't raise your voice, don't touch the altars or offerings, don't enter areas where access is restricted, and always take your trash home. Please visit with the feeling of quietly stepping into the island's life and prayers.
Left: the rocky shore of the beach spreading below the Shirumichu grounds (the sacred grounds themselves are a place of worship within the forest)
The Island's Beaches — Hamahiga Beach and Muruku Beach
Hamahiga Beach is a shallow beach that spreads out at the foot of the Hamahiga Bridge. The waves are gentle, making it well suited to playing in the sea with small children. It's also the island's most easygoing photo spot, where you can capture the bridge and the sea in a single frame.
Muruku Beach is a natural beach on the east side of the island. White sand and clear water stretch quietly on, and you can walk in from the resort hotel side. During quieter hours, it's the place where you can most feel the island's “luxury of nothing.”
Note, too, that the waters around the island are dotted with uninhabited islands and snorkel spots reachable only by boat. There you can taste the clarity of the open sea — something quite different from playing in the water off the beach.
Island Cafes & Dining
Small as the island is, its culinary pleasures are very much here. Wandering among shops rooted in island life — starting with “Maruyoshi Shokuhin,” known for its tempura of Hamahiga-grown mozuku seaweed — is one of the joys of a visit. Opening days and hours change easily, so please check the latest information before you go.
Cafe raise244. (Hama 243-1) is a cafe in the village just after you cross the Hamahiga Bridge, where you can slowly enjoy a fruit bowl or a drink after coming in from the sea. *It is a sister shop of ours at KingsSeaRoad, and also serves as the meeting point for our boat tours.
Worth Combining — the Sea Road and Kafu Banta
The Kaichu-Doro (Sea Road) along the way to Hamahiga Island is a roughly 5 km drive with the sea opening on both sides. You can take a break at the “Umi-no-Eki Ayahashi-kan” in the middle.
If you have time, head to Kafu Banta on Miyagi Island, beyond Henza Island. From this height, known as the “Cape of Happiness,” you can take in the gradient of Uruma's sea in a single sweep. Combined with Hamahiga Island, it makes a course for enjoying the islands of Uruma City in a single day.
Walked the island? Next, see it from the sea.
KingsSeaRoad is a fully private, charter boat tour based on Hamahiga Island. We guide you to land on the uninhabited islands scattered around the island, and to snorkel, on a boat that's just for your group. The most popular is the 3-hour plan (¥15,800/person, photo & video data free). Alongside walking the island, enjoy Hamahiga from the sea, too.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hamahiga Island
Q. How do I get to Hamahiga Island?
The island is only accessible by car. From central Okinawa's main island, cross the Kaichu-Doro (Sea Road), pass through Henza Island, and cross the Hamahiga Bridge to reach Hamahiga Island. It's roughly an hour or so from Naha Airport, and about 40 minutes from Okinawa City. Buses are infrequent, so we recommend renting a car.
Q. Is there parking?
There are parking areas near Hamahiga Beach and close to Shirumichu. The roads within the village are narrow and also serve as residents' everyday routes, so please avoid parking on the street and use the designated parking spaces.
Q. How long should I spend sightseeing?
About half a day is a good guide for visiting the sacred sites, beaches, and cafes. Combined with the Kaichu-Doro (Sea Road) and Kafu Banta on Miyagi Island, you can enjoy the islands of Uruma City over a full day.
Q. Are there any manners to observe when visiting Shirumichu or Amamichu?
Both are sacred places where prayers still continue today. Please observe basic manners: don't raise your voice, don't touch the altars or offerings, don't enter areas where access is restricted, and take your trash home with you.
Q. Can I go snorkeling at Hamahiga Island?
Yes. Hamahiga Island also serves as a departure point for boat tours, and the waters around the island are dotted with uninhabited islands and snorkel spots reachable only by boat. You can enjoy a clarity of water that's different from swimming off the beach.
For our tours, see the FAQ, and for details on getting to the island, see Meeting Point & Access as well.