Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The northern side of uninhabited Kuroshima, the most northerly of the Keramas, is known for its dark-
colored stone.
Tokashiki from the south, with Un Islet at the bottom and Banari Islet at left center.
5
KUROSHIMA
黒島
You'll find this uninhabited islet about 3 miles (5 kilometers) west and a little north of
Maejima. That location makes Kuroshima (
黒島
; Kuro-shima) the most northerly of the
Keramas. It's a small place, roughly rectangular or oblong in shape, about three-quarters of a
mile (1 kilometer) long and 985 feet (300 meters) wide. Its name translates as “Black Island,” a
reference to the appearance of its dark-colored stone. Ferries headed out to Kume and Tonaki
ply the waters just above this islet.
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TOKASHIKIJIMA
渡嘉敷島
The northern end of Tokashikijima (
渡嘉敷島
; Tokashi-ki-jima) lies a bit less than 3 miles
(5 kilometers) southwest of Kuroshima, 4.5-5 miles (7-8 kilometers) west of Maejima and
19 miles (30 kilometers) due west from Naha. It is the first inhabited island of the Kerama
group when sailing out of Okinawa. It's also the largest island in the Kerama group at about
6 square miles (15.3 square kilometers). It can be described as a long, narrow rectangle or
oval, measuring almost 5. 5miles (9 kilometers) in length from end to end, north to south,
and anywhere from 1 to 1.5 miles (1.5 to 2.5 kilometers) wide, east to west. That gives it a
circumference of not quite 12 miles (20 kilometers).
It's a very hilly island and very scenic. Most of Tokashiki is from 325 to 650 feet (100 to
200 meters) high and covered with tropical vegetation. The highest point is Mt Akama (
赤
間山
; Akama-yama) on the island's north end. You can drive to the top. At a height of 745
feet (227 meters), it gives visitors a 360-degree panoramic view of the sea all around and the
adjacent Keramas to the east and west. It's the highest peak in the Keramas. Incidentally, at
most of the scenic vista viewing places on all the inhabited Keramas, you'll find
tenbō-dai
(
展
