Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
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Although this is the last article, there is still a lot about Kumejima that I want to tell you about. This series "Nishimura Ai's Go-Go Trip" started last year, and Kumejima was the first place where it didn't rain even once during the entire trip! So, I ended up taking way too many photos (lol). On this trip, I was able to cycle around the island, walk, and even go to a remote island by boat. I also want to talk about Kumejima's gourmet food and the beautiful, picture-perfect scenery of Kumejima. I'll introduce them all together at the end!
The south side of the island is relatively flat and suitable for cycling. We cycled to Goeda no Matsu.
From the Resort Hotel Kume Island, we passed through the sugarcane fields and headed for Goeda no Matsu via Jinjin Road in the Gima area. There were many rest areas along the way, which I thought was a great way to travel the island by bicycle. We took a detour to the 250-year-old Goeda no Matsu, stopping off at the Okinawan-style talisman "Ishiganto", a stylish cafe, and delicious shaved ice.
The Goebanomatsu pine tree has a powerful, undulating feel and vitality. It is located in a tranquil place.
This day also started with passing through sugarcane fields. A soothing view.
There is a rest area like this on the side of the road. It is a paradise surrounded by greenery and flowers.
Jinjin Road. Along with Eef Beach, it is one of the two most prosperous areas of Kumejima. However, it is now a bit of a closed-down area.
Ishiganto (stone guardian angels) could be seen here and there.
We arrived at the "Five Branches Pine"! A big pine tree! When you hear "a big pine tree," you imagine a tall tree, but this Five Branches Pine tree spreads out horizontally, creeping along the ground, and has been beautifully pruned to look like a giant bonsai tree.
The trunk is wavy. It is a Ryukyu pine with long leaves. It is 250 years old.
There was a shrine deep inside the pine trees.
On the way, we stopped off at a beach called "Arahama Beach." It's also a great spot to watch the sunset.
It's a small beach, but the path to get there was very charming!
It was just low tide and the beach was small and just the right size.
Kumejima gourmet! From the culinary blessings obtained from deep sea water to local sweets.
We ate Kumejima soba in an open-air restaurant with a cool breeze blowing in, enjoyed Japan's best kuruma prawns and sea grapes farmed in deep ocean waters, mozuku seaweed grown in the island's waters, had a daily lunch at a Swedish cafe tucked away in a quiet residential area, Kumejima red chicken raised on Kumejima, and zenzai (a type of sweet bean soup) made with ice, perfect for a hot day.
Let's introduce them all at once!
The first meal I had on Kumejima was at "Three Piece" next to the Resort Hotel Kume Island. Kumejima soba. This is what I wanted to eat.
An outdoor restaurant with a breeze blowing through. Dining out is the latest trend.
Tender meat. Meat. Meat. There are three pieces, so I said it three times! The soup is based on pork bones and bonito. It's light, so the flavor of the meat and the aroma of the noodles stand out.
This is grilled salted tiger prawns from Okinawa, Japan's best farmed prawns. You can eat them at a variety of restaurants. The meat is very soft.
And finally, I was able to try the "Yakōgai" (turbo-shellfish). I missed it last time in Okinawa. The texture is just like abalone. Sauteed in butter is delicious.
This was also a strange food. A menu item called "fish skin." It's made from tuna skin. There were various variations.
I had prawns, turban shells, and fish skin at Namiji, a pub on Eef Beach. There are many pubs on Eef Beach.
Here is another place I visited during my bicycle trip. Cafe Smokarka is located in a residential area in the Kadekari district. It is a Swedish restaurant. Although the staff only speak English, I was able to understand quite a bit.
We had the daily lunch, which consisted of homemade bread, salad, and hummus (chickpea paste).
On this day, I had cannelloni with minced meat and tomatoes. It was topped with lots of fresh and fragrant Italian parsley. It was voluminous and filling. There were many customers. On the way, I met some people from Yonner Cycle and exchanged words with them. I was able to communicate well with people I had met before on the island.
The restaurant changed again, and we had Zaru Mozuku. You have to eat Mozuku when you're on Kumejima. It's eaten by dipping it in homemade sesame ponzu sauce. It's like eating tsukemen.
Kumejima Red Chicken. Local chicken raised on the island. I recommend grilling it with salt, it was delicious! A must try.
Sakuna with sesame seeds. I've had the longevity grass for the second time in my life. It's called Sakuna in Kumejima. It has a moderate bitterness and is delicious. I had Zaru Mozuku with homemade sauce, Kumejima red chicken, and Sakuna at Kamekichi on Eef Beach!
It was too hot! So, I stopped by Chiitu-dokoro Fukuya Gajumaru during my bicycle trip. It is located in Nakadomari. It was a stopover on the way to Goeda no Matsu from Eef Beach to the airport.
There is also a souvenir shop. This is the original miso cookie shop. There is also a manufacturing factory next door.
"Koori Zenzai". Zenzai in Okinawa is shaved ice. The beans are not red beans but kidney beans. It has a very strong presence. It is refreshing with brown sugar and condensed milk.
A delicious bakery in Eef Beach! The bread here was delicious.
It has a bar-like atmosphere, but is open as a cafe.
This bread is made with domestic wheat. It seemed like it would be over once they sold out, but people kept coming in to buy more.
I also ordered two kinds. Both were delicious, and I wish I had bought some more to take home... Kukuru Pan is located at Eef Beach. I highly recommend it!
A collection of the most stunning views of Kumejima.
Just a 30-35 minute flight from Naha Airport and you'll be instantly immersed in the laid-back, peaceful island life.
It was a very relaxing trip with beautiful sea, white beaches, and flowers blooming in abundance. The island is only about 24km in circumference, so it's easy to get around, and a bicycle is enough. Unfortunately, there aren't many buses, but if you use them well, it's much easier.
It was refreshing to see so many female solo travelers! Whether you wanted to stay in a hotel or enjoy activities, this was a resort you could enjoy either way.
Finally, I hope you will take a look at the photos as if you were flipping through a magazine.
In summer, direct flights make it even easier to get there.
This was a report on Kumejima, an island where you can enjoy an extraordinary experience!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
