Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Minna isn't just Minna, it's “mini.” Minnajima (
水納島
; Minna-jima) is a very small island.
From its western cape to the beach on its easternmost point it's a little less than a mile (1 kilo-
meter) across. From its furthest northern point, near the dock, to its southernmost point, it's
2,460 feet (750 meters). Altogether, its surface area is only 0.47 square kilometers. One glance
at the map shows you its easily recognizable shape, a crescent. Minna is also low. Its highest
point is 26 feet (8 meters). It's so flat and low that the Okinawan authorities evacuate the res-
idents when large typhoons are predicted as a precaution against the possibility of a tsunami
surge overwhelming the island.
To get to Mina Island take the ferry from Toguchi Port (
渡久地港
; Toguchi-kō). That's
the port in Motobu Town, not Motobu Port. It's a small passenger-only ferry. In the winter
months the ferry sails twice daily, morning and afternoon. From April to June, and then again
from September to November, the ferry sails three times a day. During the summer months,
when many sunseekers come out to the island's beach, the ferry runs six times a day (ten
times in August). It only takes 30 minutes one way.
The island is so small that there are no roads. Since vehicles aren't needed, you can
leave yours behind at Toguchi Port. Parking is free at the ferry terminal. The ferry arrives at
Minna-kō (
水納港
), which is merely a pier. There are a couple of paths on Minna. You can
walk the whole island in about an hour. There's a small village about 400 feet (150 meters)
from the pier and perhaps two dozen houses. The population is around 50. There is an ele-
mentary school in the village. A recent report stated that the school had 10 students.
Minna is surrounded by a ring of trees. Once inside the ring you'll see that most of the
island is planted with sugar cane. There's a path from the village to the island's cove, which is
one of Minna's most interesting features. The cove is completely sheltered and great for ex-
ploring tidal pools. It is too shallow to allow entry of any but the very smallest of watercraft. If
it's a beach you would prefer, then virtually the whole northern shore is one great beach, ap-
propriately called Minna Beach (
水納ビーチ
; Minnabīchi). Visiting the island from Okinawa
makes a nice day trip. You can legitimately claim that you've been “offshore” all day.
Crescent-shaped Minnajima, ringed by a beach and trees, has a sheltered cove full of tidal pools.
