Hateruma-jima

波照間島Pachiraa24°04′ N 123°47′ EYaeyama Islandssouthernmostsugar canestargazing

Hateruma-jima is Japan's southernmost inhabited island and lies 60–90 minutes by high-speed boat south-west of Ishigaki; its 442 people farm sugar cane on 12.73 km², with Nishihama beach on the north shore and the Southern Cross in the winter sky.

Photo Kzaral · Flickr · CC BY 2.0

Hateruma sits at the end of the line: Okinotorishima lies further south but is a reef that the sea covers at high tide, so this flat island of cane fields and red-tiled houses is as far south as anyone can travel in Japan. Taketomi Town counted 442 people at the end of August 2026, who live in five hamlets packed together on the high ground in the middle. The island's sugar mill turns the cane into kokuto (black sugar), and Wikipedia notes that its sugar content and yield beat the Okinawa average.

Most days revolve around Nishihama, whose 1.5 km of white sand lies on the north coast ten minutes' walk from the port. Down on the south-east corner, at Takanasaki, the land ends in limestone cliffs above open ocean, with the southernmost monument and its neighbours a short walk inland. The island's one distillery makes Awanami, and the awamori is so scarce that Wikipedia puts output at about 6,000 small bottles a month and says nine-tenths of it is drunk on the island.

Getting here is the part to plan. The Ishigaki boats cross open water past Kuroshima and cancel often in winter. The car ferry runs three days a week and holds up better, and the 19-seat charter flight asks passengers to declare their weight. Once you land, an e-bike covers the island in a morning.

Getting there

Anei Kanko runs the only scheduled boats from Ishigaki, and its winter 2026/27 timetable gives two high-speed sailings a day each way, 60–90 minutes and up to 100 minutes on the big catamaran Paijima 2. The route leaves the shelter of the reef near Kuroshima, and Wikipedia's figures show more than half the high-speed sailings cancelled in some winter months of 2015/16. The slower car ferry Ferry Hateruma 2 sails on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Yashima pier and runs in rougher seas, and Daiichi Airlines has flown a 19-seat charter from Ishigaki on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays since January 2024.

Getting around

There are no buses or taxis for general use, but since May 2025 a free shuttle has linked the airport with Mushama Park in the village, and since January 2026 a second route meets the boats at the port. Inns are asked to collect their own guests. Hotel Oceans rents cars and bicycles, and Nemo Jitensha rents e-bikes for ¥2,000 a day or half-day.

Riding on Hateruma-jima

Hateruma is small enough to see in a day on a bike: a 9 km ring road circles the farmland around the central village, and spurs run out to the coast. The island has no traffic lights and no prefectural roads, and Nemo Jitensha warns that the roads to the southernmost monument and Nishihama carry some distance and some ups and downs, and it recommends an e-bike for them.

Nemo Jitensha rents e-bikes for ¥2,000 a day or half-day with free port pick-up and may close in winter; Hotel Oceans rents bicycles; several inns lend bikes to guests.

December to March

Winter is the season for the Southern Cross, which can be seen from Hateruma from early December to the end of June, though the Hateruma Star Observatory that used to host night viewings has been shut since July 2022. The same north wind that clears the sky cancels boats, so allow a spare day on Ishigaki on either side. Nemo Jitensha lists a winter break, and the village stores close from about 12:30 to 15:00 every day.

Worth knowing

The village co-op stores pause from about 12:30 to 15:00, so buy lunch supplies in the morning.
Awanami is sold one bottle per person at a few island shops when stock allows; the shop in the port terminal carries kokuto and island grains as well.
Book dinner before you arrive: the island has only a handful of izakaya, and several take reservations only.
If the high-speed boat looks doubtful, ask Anei about Ferry Hateruma 2, which leaves from Yashima pier, a ten-minute walk from Ishigaki's main terminal.

Where to base

Towns and villages on Hateruma-jima町

波照間集落

Hateruma village

Hateruma-jima

Good base

FAQ

Quick answers about Hateruma-jimaよくある質問

Is Hateruma the southernmost island in Japan?

Yes, among inhabited islands. Okinotorishima lies further south, but it is a reef mostly covered at high tide with no scheduled boats, so Hateruma-jima is the southernmost place in Japan an ordinary traveller can reach.

Can you see the Southern Cross from Hateruma?

Yes. The Southern Cross can be seen from Hateruma from early December to the end of June on clear nights. The Hateruma Star Observatory closed in July 2022, so you watch from the dark fields on your own.

How do you get to Hateruma from Ishigaki?

By Anei Kanko high-speed boat, about 60–90 minutes, twice a day in the winter 2026/27 timetable, or by the car ferry three days a week. Daiichi Airlines also flies a small charter from Ishigaki on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Does the Hateruma ferry get cancelled in winter?

Often. The route crosses open sea beyond the reef, and Wikipedia's figures show the high-speed boat cancelled on more than half its sailings in some winter months of 2015/16. The car ferry runs more reliably.

How big is Hateruma-jima?

Hateruma-jima covers 12.73 km² and is home to about 442 people. A loop of the island by road runs about 9 km.

Can you cycle on Hateruma-jima?

What is Hateruma-jima like in winter?

Within 15 km