Located in the southernmost part of Japan, Okinawa is a gorgeous prefecture with stunning oceans, lush mountain ranges, and a variety of entertaining watersports for you to enjoy. Okinawa is home to a few dozen islands, each unique and special in its own way.

The Okinawa Islands are divided into three major groups: the Okinawa Islands, the Miyako Islands, and the Yaeyama Islands. Within the Okinawa Islands, you will find Zamami Island, one of the most beautiful and tranquil places I have ever visited. In this blog, I want to show you why Zamami Island is so special, what to do, and the hidden gems of Zamami through my experience.

Where is Zamami Island?

When thinking about travelling to Japan, relaxing on the beach and enjoying water sports might not be the first thing that pops into your head. However, you would be pleasantly surprised by the large number of beaches and coastal areas that will absolutely blow you away!

Zamami Island is one of the Kerama Islands, a national park of Japan, crowned in 2014 for its beautiful coral reefs. Zamami Island is known for watching whales and sea turtles in their natural habitat, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, beaches, hiking, and local food and drinks. Zamami Island is a small island with a population of about 600 people, located about 40 km west of Naha City. It can be easily accessed from Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture, by ferry in about 1-2 hours. Apart from the stunning beaches and gorgeous nature, this island has a long history.

Okinawa was once the Ryukyu Kingdom, a kingdom separated from other countries. Okinawa has distinct styles of art, food, drinks, and traditions. In 1875, during Japan’s Meiji era, the Ryukyu Kingdom was incorporated into Japan and became Okinawa Prefecture. During the Battle of Okinawa in the Pacific War, one of the fierce battles took place on Zamami Island, which was where the US military first landed.

Popular Spots in Zamami Island

Furuzamami Beach 

Furuzamami Beach is the main beach of Zamami Island. The beauty of the pure white sand and the emerald green sea is beyond description. Here at Furuzamami Beach, you can see tropical fish in shallow waters below one metre, making it a great spot for beginners to enjoy snorkelling.

Ama Beach

Ama Beach is most famous for being the beach where you can observe sea turtles in their natural habitat. There is a high probability of encountering sea turtles in this area. There is an abundant amount of seaweed that feeds the sea turtles. Make sure to come here during high tides, as you will be able to see the sea turtles eating just metres away from the shore. The sea turtles come up to the surface to breathe, so they can get very close to you. Enjoy watching the sea turtles’ meal times without disturbing them.

Marilyn Statue

This statue was built to commemorate the love between two dogs, Marilyn and Shiro. Shiro’s owner moved to Akajima, about 3 km away, bringing Shiro with them. Every morning, Shiro would swim across the ocean to see Marilyn. The story of Marilyn and Shiro inspired many people, and the movie “I Want to See Marilyn” was produced. The statue of Marilyn still stares straight at Akajima, where her lover once was. Definitely come and stop by the statue. Not just for the beautiful story, but the view from where the statue is located has an incredible view of the different islands.

Hidden Gems on Zamami Island

Unaji No Sachi Tenboudai

I’m surprised that I couldn’t find information about this observatory on any English websites. This observatory is one of the most beautiful and peaceful I’ve ever come across and I would highly recommend it. It is absolutely breathtaking. A sidewalk stretches out from the parking lot to the top of the hill. It’s a few minutes’ walk from the parking lot to the observatory, but every moment is special, with the gorgeous view and incredible sounds of nature. You can see the powerful waves rushing in along the coasts of the island. If you are lucky, you may be able to see whales during the whale-watching season.

Chishi Observatory

Chishi Observatory is another spot I would highly recommend. It is not one of the popular observatories since it is located in the middle of the island, a little further away from the more touristic areas. It is roughly a 10-minute walk from Asa village, and it’s an observatory where you can enjoy being surrounded by the tall and majestic cliffs while enjoying the sea breeze. On a clear day, you can also see Aguni Island over the sea. The scenery woven by the rough rocks and the highly transparent Kerama Blue sea is truly spectacular.

Inoo Beach

Climbing through the forest and arriving at the end of the Kudaki forest road, you will have to go through the forest of Mokumaou to reach this beautiful beach. It is truly a hidden gem, and you won’t run into many people here. The name “Inoo” in the Okinawan dialect means “the shallow and calm sea surrounded by corals.” This beach is home to various types of fish, shellfish, and seaweed. It is also called the “sea field” because of the rich nature of Inoo Beach. This is a great place to go snorkelling. You may encounter fish and shellfish that you don’t normally come across.

Activities in Zamami

There are many water activities to choose from on Zamami Island, such as snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking.

Diving 

Since there are many different islands surrounding Zamami, the ocean is quite peaceful, making it a great spot for all kinds of sea life to thrive. There are amazing diving spots all around Zamami Island. Join a diving tour to get well-equipped gear and experienced guide staff. No matter how much experience you have with diving, you will be able to find instructors and tours to bring you to different diving spots.

Whale Watching

Enjoying Zamami Island is not limited to summer. The highlight of visiting in winter is whale watching. The waters around Zamami Village are breeding spots for humpback whales. Every year, from January to the end of March, humpback whales come to this area to breed and give birth, spending the winter here. The reason why Zamami village whale watching is so popular is the high whale encounter rate.

From early in the morning during the season, the staff look into the sea from the observatory with telescopes to spot water splashes where the whales breathe, determining if the day is suitable for whale watching. The tour guides are extremely careful in protecting these majestic humpback whales in their natural habitat. The boats that take guests out to the ocean always stay at a distance and do not chase after the whales.

Where to Eat in Zamami Island

There are many restaurants on Zamami Island, most of them situated in Zamami Village.

Restaurant Murumiya

Restaurant Marumiya is one of the most delicious restaurants I have ever been to. Although it is a relaxed cafe-style restaurant, all the dishes are exquisite. During the two weeks that I stayed on this island, I visited this restaurant six times, each time trying something different. This is a very ordinary restaurant that you might overlook if you are not careful.

One delicious recommendation I have from this restaurant is Rafute, braised pork ribs topped with a sweet sauce. It goes well with rice and is perfect when paired with sake. The texture of the meat just melts in your mouth.

The absolute must-try from this restaurant is their homemade Jimami Tofu, a local Okinawa dish made with peanuts. It might sound weird, but it is absolutely delicious. The rich scent of peanuts creates a unique taste that many people find addictive.

Restaurant Marumiya also makes a deep-fried version of their homemade Jimami Tofu. The slightly crispy thin layer of dough surrounding the tofu adds a different texture and flavour, making it absolutely delicious.

The most special part of this restaurant is that it is a family-run business. The grandma, probably in her 60s or 70s, is the owner and server. She is still actively running around the busy restaurant, memorising orders by heart and chatting with customers. She spent some time studying English so she can communicate a little with foreigners.

During my many visits to the restaurant, she gave me extra discounts and free coffee. After telling her I was leaving the island the next day, she gifted me with two extra Jimami Tofu to take home. It was definitely the highlight of my stay.

For lunch, they serve daily specials for under 1,000 yen (10 USD) and for dinner, sharing a few plates of their signature dishes with drinks would cost around 2,500-3,000 yen (25-30 USD) per person. Whether you’re in Zamami for just one day or a few days, definitely stop by this restaurant for the most delicious and heart-warming meal.

Wayama Mozuku

Another memorable restaurant on Zamami Island is Wayama Mozuku. They have a small menu and serve their signature Mozuku Soba. Okinawa Soba is one of the popular dishes for people to try when visiting Okinawa. It is usually made with a very light broth, and the taste of the noodles is quite plain. It is said to be good for you because of the small amount of salt used and the focus on using seaweed to make the broth. Zamami is special for their Mozuku Soba. Mozuku is a type of seaweed that is very healthy, thin, and a little slimy. It might not sound very appealing, but it is surprisingly delicious.

The owner of Wayama Mozuku produces his own mozuku. They make the soup with bonito flakes and kelp, and the soba noodles here are homemade, kneaded with mozuku. The bowl of noodles is topped with a slice of Rafute, the sautéed pork that I mentioned earlier. The shop has a terrace for you to hang out and enjoy your simple yet healthy and filling meal after a long day of water sports. The mozuku by itself is quite plain and some might even say tasteless. You can always get extra meat or a side dish with your noodles.

How Long to Stay in Zamami Island

The first time I visited Zamami Island, I only visited for the day. I arrived in the morning around 9 am and took the last boat to leave around 3 pm. During that time, I had lunch at Wayama Mozuku and visited the west side of the island. I stopped by Ama Beach to snorkel with the turtles and visited two observatories, including the Unaji No Sachi Observatory.

It was great to see the island quickly, and if you don’t have much time, coming for the day is a good choice. After falling in love with this island during my short visit, I decided to come back and stay for two weeks. I was lucky to find simple short-term work with a local business during this time, in exchange for accommodation. During the two weeks, I got to explore every hidden gem and took my time to enjoy the island to the fullest.

If you have time and want to relax, then definitely stay here for at least 1-2 nights to truly enjoy the island. If you don’t have much time and don’t mind rushing a little, then coming for the day is a good option. If you need a complete getaway and want to immerse yourself in Zamami, then definitely come for a few weeks.

How to Explore Zamami Island

I think the best way to explore the island is to rent an electric bicycle or a motorbike. I emphasise the electric part because there are endless uphills and downhills. I made the mistake of riding from one end of the island to the other with an old bicycle, and it was painful.

Walking is another option, and it doesn’t take long, roughly a few hours, to get from one side of the island to the other. However, as I mentioned, keep in mind that you will come across a lot of steep hills. You can also rent a car on the island. If you don’t have much time and want to quickly see the entire island, then this might be the option for you.

Journey Through the Charm of Zamami Island

Zamami Island is a stunning destination with a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and a variety of activities and eateries to enjoy. Whether you are there for a day or a few weeks, Zamami Island offers an unforgettable experience for all types of travellers.

From the serene beaches where you can swim with sea turtles to the fascinating observatories offering panoramic views, every corner of Zamami Island invites you to explore and unwind. The local cuisine, especially the unique dishes like Jimami Tofu and Mozuku Soba, provides a delightful taste of Okinawa’s rich culinary heritage.

No matter how long your stay, Zamami Island promises a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. As you plan your trip, remember to take the time to truly appreciate the natural beauty and warm hospitality that make Zamami Island a gem in the Okinawa archipelago. Embrace the tranquillity, engage with the locals, and create memories that will last a lifetime on this enchanting island.