Hatoma-jima
鳩間島Patuma24°28′ N 123°49′ EYaeyama IslandstinyHatoma blue watersong island
Hatoma-jima is a 0.96 km² island of about 60 people that lies 5.4 km north of Iriomote and 45 to 80 minutes by boat from Ishigaki, and a ring of beaches surrounds it in the water locals call Hatoma blue. Its boats run via Uehara on some sailings and cancel when that route does in rough seas.
Hatoma is about a kilometre across, and its 60 residents live in one village on the south side. Hatoma-bushi, which Taketomi Town counts among the songs that represent Yaeyama, was born here, and the TV drama Ruri no Shima made the island famous across Japan. Regular boats from Ishigaki only began in April 2006.
Beaches circle the island, and none of them is an official swimming beach. Yara-hama on the west side is the widest, with shallow water under shade trees, and it catches the sunset. The north coast holds a blue coral community, and Taketomi Town calls most of the shore untouched.
The island fills twice a year, for the three-day harvest festival in the sixth lunar month and for the Hatoma music festival on 3 May. The rest of the year brings the lighthouse view of Iriomote's mountains and very quiet nights.
Getting there
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Anei Kanko each run two boats a day from Ishigaki in the winter 2026–27 timetables, taking 45 to 50 minutes direct or up to about 80 minutes when the boat calls at Uehara on Iriomote. Anei's Hatoma sailings run through Uehara, so they cancel whenever the Uehara route cancels in rough seas. A short boat also links Hatoma with Uehara in 10 to 15 minutes.
Getting around
Hatoma is about a kilometre across, and the tourism association sends visitors to its beaches on foot or by rental bicycle. The village and the port sit on the south side.
Riding on Hatoma-jima
A bicycle crosses Hatoma in minutes, and the one climb leads to the lighthouse on Hatoma Nakamori at 33.8 m.
December to March
Hatoma's boats share the open water off Iriomote's north coast with the Uehara route, and Anei's Hatoma sailings call at Uehara, so they stop whenever the Uehara route stops. On 9 October 2026 both ferry companies listed the Uehara and Hatoma boats as cancelled for rough seas while every other route ran. Leave a spare day in any plan that includes a night on Hatoma between December and March.
Worth knowing
- The Taketomi Town Tourism Association lists Hatoma's pensions and no restaurants, so book a pension that serves meals.
- Check the Anei and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry status pages the morning you travel, and keep a spare day in winter.
- Climb to the lighthouse on Hatoma Nakamori for the view across to Iriomote.
FAQ
Quick answers about Hatoma-jimaよくある質問
How do you get to Hatoma Island?
By high-speed boat from Ishigaki. Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Anei Kanko each run two boats a day in winter 2026–27, taking 45 to 50 minutes direct or about 70 to 80 minutes via Uehara on Iriomote.
Do Hatoma ferries get cancelled in rough weather?
Yes. Anei Kanko's Hatoma boats run via Uehara on Iriomote, so they cancel whenever the Uehara route cancels for rough seas. Keep a spare day in winter.
How many people live on Hatoma?
Sixty, according to Taketomi Town's resident register for the end of August 2026.
How big is Hatoma-jima?
Hatoma-jima covers 0.96 km² and is home to about 60 people.
Can you cycle on Hatoma-jima?
A bicycle crosses Hatoma in minutes, and the one climb leads to the lighthouse on Hatoma Nakamori at 33.8 m.
What is Hatoma-jima like in winter?
Hatoma's boats share the open water off Iriomote's north coast with the Uehara route, and Anei's Hatoma sailings call at Uehara, so they stop whenever the Uehara route stops. On 9 October 2026 both ferry companies listed the Uehara and Hatoma boats as cancelled for rough seas while every other route ran. Leave a spare day in any plan that includes a night on Hatoma between December and March.
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