While this is not a sponsored post and I have not been to the location, it is my intention to bring these interesting places to light for either future references or your convenience! This also helps me to document my future plans for said destinations. The photos are sourced from official sources or Google Maps, and the credits are stated in the caption or within the screenshot itself. I do not own the photos and they are purely for sharing purposes.
(Manifesting sponsorships to send me and my partner (hopefully my cats too!) out for traveling 😀 )
Ikei Island is one of the smaller islands that you can access through the driveways of the mainlands.
According to Visit Okinawa Japan, it is a small and sandy cove that is suitable for family fun times. The waves are said to be gentler here and there are designated swimming areas supervised by lifeguards. You can also do banana boats and jet skis, paddle boats, and kayaks. There are many marine lives here and you can join a glass-bottom boat tour to view, especially butterflyfishes. The west side of the island is also great for snorkeling. Other than that, if you like to barbecue, you can rent full barbecue kits here (charcoal, tongs, a beach tent, and a table) to enjoy a great BBQ session. Lastly, you can look at the Nakabaru archaeological site here which was inhabited about 2000 years ago.
So what can you do here?
Well, assuming that we are starting from the South-West, turning left to the west side of the island and coming back to the bridge from the east side, here’s a list of what you will be able to do.
Ikei Beach
Great for swimming and taking pictures of the clear, clear water. There is an eatery here and should also have a bathroom for you to use. You can also do banana boats and paddling boats here based on the review photos. Keep in mind that there is a closing time for the beach and there are also limited parking here.
Address: 405 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計405
Phone: +81989778464
Website: http://www.ikei-beach.com/
Hours: Fridays to Tuesdays 10am-4pm
Sunflower Field
A large part of Ikei Island is dedicated to growing sunflowers. You will find yourself surrounded by sunflower blooms if you go during the right time (possibly Mar-Apr). Looking at the google review photos, I was shocked to see that you can photograph clear sky so easily here.
Address: Ikei Island, Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: Ikei Island, 与那城伊計 うるま市 沖縄県 904-2421
Oodomari Beach
Great for snorkeling, this beach is located on the west side of the island. You can also rent tents and snorkeling tools here. There are some caves which you can check out by the sides of the beach. Based on the photos, there is also a lifeguard stand available by the beach. Parking slots are slightly more than Ikei Beach.
Address: 1012 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計1012
Phone: +81989778027
Goddess of Fertility and Children (子宝之神) & Lighthouse
This isn’t for those who can’t walk. You have to stop a little bit further from the driveway and walk approximately 5 minutes to the shrine. Walking near the edge of the island, you will find a shrine dedicated to the goddess that blesses you with fertility. The Yunokata Goddess stone pillar is seen to have an engraving of God of Ox as well. It is said that these gods will give sperm and eggs (i.e.: child treasures) that match the spirits of the man and woman. This shrine is hardly ever visited hence it is looking a little run down. You can look at the photos here for a better idea. You should be genuine and respectful to any shrines and deities. (Do not take this lightly, some requires you to return and give sacrifices if your wishes come true; sacrifices differs from each deities but usually are just foods and objects.)
There is also a lighthouse which you may be able to see before reaching the shrine. There isn’t much to do here besides taking photos.
Address: Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計
Taibo Beach & North Shore
Taibo Beach is a smaller shore which is quiet and has a public restroom. The North Shore has a slightly wider shore but it has more rocks, not really suitable for casual visiting.
Address: 1286 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計1286
Kita-Ikeinohama
The beach faces east and it is also very rocky. Just be careful not to scrape your knees!
Address: Ikei Island, Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: Ikei Island, 与那城伊計 うるま市 沖縄県 904-2421
Nakabarui Ruins
Explore the ruins left behind by inhabitors which were said to be around 2000 years ago.
Address: Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計
East Shore
The east shore is probably the largest shore you can find on this island. It is rocky as well so be careful!
Address: Japan, 〒904-2421 Okinawa, Uruma, Yonashiroikei, Ikei Island
番地:〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計 Ikei Island
Senana Mitake (セーナナー御嶽)
A strange sight of a mirror embedded into a stone, facing towards the sky and the sea. On the side, there are some shrines as well. This seems like a commonly visited area of the island.
Address: Japan, 〒904-2421 Okinawa, Uruma, Yonashiroikei, Ikei Island
番地:〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計 Ikei Island
Stone Amulet and Stone Lion Shore
Take a look at the two stone amulets which resemble two old folks, with Usume (ウスメーグヮ) being the male and Hame (ハーメーグヮ) being the female. There is also a stone lion called ShiShi (シーシ) nearby. These amulets are said to prevent evil things to approach the island. The last shore of the island should be located right in front of the stone lion as well.
Address: 175 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地:〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計175
Dragon King Stone Pillar (伊計島亀岩龍宮神)
Dragon Kings are often seen near the seas and it isn’t a surprise to see a dedicated prayer place for one of them on Okinawa. However, it is unfortunate that the bridge to the stone pillar has been broken off. Be careful and not to walk across!
Address: Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地:〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計
Old Folk House Cafe (命薬のあの土(古民家かふぇ))
This is a small cafe that uses homegrown harvests to offer meals and beverages in an old folk house. Their main goal is to heal your mind and body with the cleanness of the place and ingredients. You can check out the menu as well.
Also, if you want to, you can visit the community garden just around the block. Do be careful when you’re there and not to ruin the community’s hard work!
Address: 130 Yonashiroikei, Uruma City, 904-2421 〒904-2421
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計405
Phone: +898-923-0270
Website: https://www.lohas-village.or.jp/noas_soil
Hours: Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Holidays at 10: 00-16: 00 (LO15: 30)
Shellwork & Cafe Monya (貝がらショップ＆カフェ もんやー )
A cute cafe that sells art works made with shells! You can check out the menu as well.
Address: 250 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計250
Phone: +819057816521
Website: https://cafe-monya.jimdo.com/
Hours: Wednesdays to Mondays 11am-5:30pm
Ikei Shrine & Ikei Honpo
There are a few deities here. The main shrines are for enshrining gods and it is said to be quite strong so if you are easily faint-hearted, you should approach with a little care. There are also stone pillars for the Jito Fire God, and Ashagi God/Tunchima.
Address: 218 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地:〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計218
Ikeijima Community Store (伊計島共同売店)
This is a community store and it is possible the only store/supermarket on this island. It seems like this community is quite tightly together and in harmony.
Address: 163 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計163
Phone: +81989778393
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ikeijima.communitystore/
Hours: Daily 9am-7pm
Ikei Island Fishing Port
Lastly, if you want to stop by, there is a fishing spot near the bridge connected to Miyagi Island.
Address: 229 Yonashiroikei, Uruma, Okinawa 904-2421, Japan
番地: 〒904-2421 沖縄県うるま市与那城伊計229
Once you’ve completed everything, you have basically completed the whole tour of Ikei Island! Pretty quick and easy isn’t it. By the way, coming to this island during nighttime could be scary as it is quite remote. Do be careful when you do so. Other than that, we’re pretty much covered. Some of the places I could not include because there wasn’t any information about them. I do wish to know how to pray to the shrines and deities. You should know that you shouldn’t simply pray to something you don’t know about. Always be careful with these things, and be respectful all the time.
Okinawa| Full Guide, Information, and Directory
Explore more about Okinawa through one post where we list down every single details of what fun there is in this amazing and beautiful island.
