Kurima Island (Kurimajima) is located in the south west of Miyako Island and is connected to Miyako Island via Kurima Bridge.
Kurima Bridge is close to Yonaha Maehama Beach (one of the most famous beaches in Miyako Island), so many tourists visit Kurima Island after Yonaha Maehama Beach. Kurima Bridge was originally developed as an agricultural road and opened in 1995. The total length of the bridge is 1,690m (second longest in Miyako Islands).
There is a small village in Kurima Island, and the population of the island is only less than 200. Other than the village, the small island is full of fields (mostly sugar cane fields). There are no tall buildings in the island, so you can enjoy the spectacular scenery with sugar cane fields and beautiful sea surrounding the island.
Scenery of Kurima Island
Although there are not so many, I would like to introduce places to visit in Kurima Island.
There is an observation deck called “Ryugu Observatory.” It is about 1km from Kurima Bridge. There is a parking space, toilet, and a store selling souvenirs and drinks, etc. near the observation deck.
You can see the great view of Yonaha Maehama Beach and Kurima Bridge from the observation deck. This is one of the best places to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Miyako Islands.
Scenery from Ryugu Observatory
Scenery from Ryugu Observatory
There are some stylish restaurants and cafes in Kurima Island serving many tourists visiting the island. There is a restaurant called “Rakuen no Kajitsu (literally means the fruit of paradise)” next to Ryugu Observatory.
Rakuen no Kajitsu
“Steak Don” is the most popular food menu here. “Steak Don” means a bowl of rice topped with steak. As I had eaten a steak almost every day while staying in Miyako Island (beef steak is one of the most popular dishes in Miyako Island), I ordered a spaghetti Bolognese on the day I visited the restaurant. They use Miyako Gyu (Miyako Beef) as well as fresh organically grown vegetables.
Spaghetti Bolognese
Rakuen no Kajitsu is directly managed by a mango farmer, so they also serve nice desserts such as mango gelato. All dishes I had at the restaurant were fresh and delicious.
And don’t forget to visit Nagamahama Beach when you visit Kurima Island, which is becoming a popular place for watching the sunset. The beach is located in the west of the island and there is nothing to obstruct the view from the beach, so this beach must be the perfect place for watching the sunset.
Nagamahama Beach Entrance
Nagamahama Beach
Nagamahama Beach
