Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Yoron also has a convenient little airport (
与論空港
; Yoron-kūkō) and there are daily
flights to and from Naha and Kagoshima. There are also flights, though less frequent, to
Okinoerabu and Amami-Ōshima. Yoron's airport and harbor are practically next to one an-
other and both are close to the island's best resort hotel, the Pricia. All are just a couple of
minutes away from the island's “capital” city, Chabana (
茶花
; Chabana; lit. “Tea Flowers”).
At its widest, east to west, Yoron is almost 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) across. From north to
south, it's about 3 miles (5 kilometers). Its circumference is 14.6 miles (23.5 kilometers) and
its area is 8 square miles (20.5 square kilometers). Yoron is mostly flat and devoted to agricul-
ture, primarily sugar cane. Its highest point is a none too breathtaking 322 feet (98 meters)
above sea level. A 2010 census listed the island's population at 5,373.
Because of the island's proximity to Okinawa, Yoron became a place of refuge just before
the end of World War II. In the weeks leading up to the invasion, hundreds of Okinawans
escaped their island by swimming or floating on anything available to reach Yoron-tō. Their
boats had been confiscated by the Japanese Army. Yoron was spared during the war and was
not invaded during the Battle of Okinawa.
You'll spot the Okinoerabujima Seaworld Hotel as you come into Wadomari Port. It's as cozy and friendly
a place as you can ask for. The staff are super and the food is good.
But, just as it was forgotten during the war, the island was forgotten after the war. Yoron
did not have electricity until the late 1960s. Fortunately, at about the same time, inexpensive
flights were introduced and tourism began to develop. Because the US military still entirely
controlled Okinawa Prefecture until 1972, there were travel restrictions on Japanese visitors
to Okinawa. Thus Yoron, as part of Kagoshami Prefecture, became the most southerly island
in Japan that could be freely visited by Japanese sun-seeking tourists. An industry was born
and Yoron became, and still remains, a popular beach getaway.
Yoron is a coral island and coral reefs surround more than 80 percent of its coast.
