Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mile (1.26 square kilometers) in area and 3.25 miles (5.3 kilometers) in circumference. Like
Kuba Island, it is tall. Its highest point is 702 feet (214 meters) above sea level and its top is
considered sacred. The island is an
utaki
(
御嶽
; lit. the Okinawan term for a sacred place).
During World Wars I and II, copper was mined on Yakabi, but the production was small
and the mines were closed after the end of World War II. Although the island is not popu-
lated by humans, it's a home for Kerama deer (page
164
).
That wraps up our look at the Keramarettō. From here we'll have to return to Naha in
order to drive to, or catch other ferries to, the other islands of the western coast of Ok-
inawa Main Island. Some are close, just offshore, others are quite a bit further west. Some,
like Kume, are fairly well known and popular, others, like Tonaki and Aguni, are little known
to tourists. We'll visit them all and you can decide which ones you might like to visit.
Both Kuba Island (left) and Yakabi Island (right) are protected reserves and are closed to the public.
Yakabijima, in particular, is a refuge for Kerama deer.
