Kuroshima pasture loop
黒島一周24°15′ N 124°00′ EEasy EasyCity bikeE-bikeloop
The Kuroshima pasture loop is an easy 9.9 km ride by our route data from Kuroshima Port through the island's cattle country to Nakamoto Beach and Iko Pier, with 19 m of climbing, so the wind is the only effort.
KonbiniWaterTop of chart 50 m
Routed over OpenStreetMap with BRouter trekking, measured against AWS Terrarium z13 (2026-10-09). The waypoints run counter-clockwise.
Kuroshima is flat, with its highest ground at 15.3 m, and its lanes run between low stone walls and pasture. The island has more cattle than people, and Taketomi Town counts 221 residents. Prefectural Route 213 runs from the port to Higashisuji in the middle, and farm lanes reach the beaches on every side.
We go west first to Nishi-no-hama, the turtle beach by the port, then south past the visitor centre to Nakamoto, where the reef turns into a pool at low tide. From there the loop crosses to Higashisuji and its observation tower, swings through Hokama and up the east side to Iko Pier, and comes home along the north-east road. The tourism association's model day gives five to twenty-five minutes for each leg.
Kuroshima has few places to eat. Heart Land at the port serves soba from the first boat to the last, and Undouya cooks lunch in the south-east. Confirm their hours the day before or pack a picnic from Ishigaki.
Worth knowing
- Check the tide table and reach Nakamoto Beach near low tide, when the reef pool appears.
- Walk to the end of Iko Pier at high tide or sunrise.
- Rent at the port and you can be riding ten minutes after the boat docks.
Ride safely
- Cattle graze right up to the roads; slow down past them and never ride into a herd being moved.
- The tourism association advises against swimming at Nakamoto Beach because of strong currents; within two hours of low tide wear a life jacket and go in pairs.
- Kuroshima has few restaurants and no konbini on the loop by our route data; carry water and confirm lunch hours.
Wind at Ishigakijima, JMA 1991–2020
Which way to ride, month by month風
Jan
NNE 5.3
As described
Feb
NNE 5.4
As described
Mar
NNE 5.2
As described
Apr
NNE 4.9
As described
May
S 4.5
As described
Jun
S 5.3
As described
Jul
SSW 5.9
As described
Aug
S 5.6
As described
Sep
NNE 5.3
As described
Oct
NNE 5.8
As described
Nov
NNE 5.5
As described
Dec
NNE 5.6
As described
Arrows point the way the wind blows. Speeds are monthly means in m/s. The wind on any given day can differ from the monthly pattern, so check the forecast.
Lunch, swims and sights
Stops along the way寄り道
Nishi-no-hamabeach
Sea-turtle nesting beach near the port, looking at Iriomote.
Kuroshima Visitor Centermuseum
Island history and the cattle story.
Nakamoto Beachbeach
A reef pool at low tide; check the tide table first.
Kuroshima Observation Towerview
The one high point, beside the school in Higashisuji.
Iko Pierview
Leave the bike at the shore end and walk the 354 m jetty.
Soba and ice cream tempura just up from the port.
Soba Cafe Undouyalunch
Yaeyama soba at lunchtime in south-east Kuroshima.
iconomacafe
Small café near Iko Pier, open afternoons.
Every konbini, café and water stop OpenStreetMap lists along the line (1)
- Cafe Iconomacafekm 7.5
Lunch, a swim and dinner
Ride days built on this route一日
Nearby rental
Rent a bike for itレンタル
FAQ
Quick answers about Kuroshima pasture loopよくある質問
How long does it take to cycle around Kuroshima?
Our Kuroshima loop is 9.9 km by our route data with 19 m of climbing, so the riding takes an hour or so on a city bike. The tourism association's day-trip course spreads the same stops over a relaxed day between boats.
Can you rent a bike on Kuroshima?
Yes. Shima Cafe Heart Land rents bicycles and e-bikes beside Kuroshima Port, and Kuroshima Rent-a-Cycle rents them near the port and meets the boats by tuk-tuk.
Book it
Line up the trip around Kuroshima
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