Haitai (hello) everyone!
This is the ☆Okinawa Holiday Hackers’ Editorial Department(/・ω・)/
This time, I’ll be introducing
this bus pictured right behind me with [Kouri Island Direct Shuttle] written across its side!
This shuttle is exclusive to people who used the Okinawa Airport Shuttle!
It’s called the “Kouri Island Direct Shuttle”
To give you a rough explanation…(‘ω’)ノ
the Kouri Island Direct Shuttle
is a bus exclusive to passengers who took the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle] that connects Naha to the northern area of Okinawa! This shuttle is really like something out of a dream, offering a convenient, free transportation method to get from the Emerald Beach bus stop to Kouri Island.
That being said, this time around…!?
We’ll be taking the free shuttle to get to Kouri Island!
Before we set off, here are some of the sights you won’t want to miss!!
But before we—do—that! Be sure to check out the results of Hacker Ishii’s investigations!
You’ll can check out her findings in her article about the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle] !!!
If you want to learn more about the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle],
please be sure to check out the results of Hacker Ishii’s investigations!
▼Click here for the Okinawa Airport Shuttle [Bise no Fukugi Tree Road Edition] ▼
*A bus ticket from the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle] is required to ride the [Kouri Island Direct Shuttle].
You can get a ticket for the [Kouri Island Direct Shuttle] while on the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle].
● How to Purchase a Ticket for the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle]●
Visit this official siteto make an online reservation
You can purchase your ticket “by distance” by selecting two bus stations, one as a starting stop and another as your destination stop.
You can also purchase tickets at one of the 26 ticket vendors throughout Okinawa
Some ticket vendors may also offer a “2-Time Use Pass” or an “Unlimited Pass*” For [Ticket Vendor Locations],check the [Purchase Methods] listed on the official site!
Purchasing at a Family Mart (Fami Port Machine)
Only the [2-Time Use Ticket] is available for purchase. For details on how to make the purchase,please check the [2-Time Use Ticket] sectionon the official site!
*the [Unlimited Pass] is only available at the Naha Airport Tourist Information Office (Domestic/International), the Okinawa Tourist Information Center in Asahibashi, or at a travel agency.
Our Starting Point for Today’s Adventure!
Emerald Beach Mae Bus Station
Where to Board the Kouri Island Direct Shuttle Bus
▼The bus station where we’ll be departing from [Emerald Beach Mae]
Just show your Okinawa Airport Shuttle bus ticket to board!
Once on board, you may be surprised to know that there’s also an assistant on board the bus between Emerald Beach Mae and Kouri Island who can answer any sightseeing questions you may have!!!
In around 30 minutes after setting off, you’ll arrive at Kouri Island, also called the “Island of Love” ♡
Some of The Recommended Sights in Kouri Island
Kouri Ocean Tower
There’s a bus station just in front of the Kouri Ocean Tower!!
A Kouri Island landmark that can be seen even all the way from Kouri Ohashi Bridge!!
You’ll find the Shell Museum, an observatory, a restaurant, and souvenir shop inside～♪
The view is stunning from the top of the observatory! I found a bell of happiness!!
I thought I’d give it a ring to charge up my happiness meter (XD)
It gave a beautiful ring across the gorgeous ocean view
＜Kouri Ocean Tower Basic Information＞
| Opening Hours | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm(Last entry at 5:30 pm) |
| Holidays | Open year-round |
| Bus Stop | Kouri Island Direct Shuttle (not even a minute walk from Kouri Ocean Tower) |
| 住所 | 〒905-0406 沖縄県国頭郡今帰仁村字古宇利538 |
The Heart Rock on Tiinuhama Beach
Located on the opposite side of the entrance to the island, this rock on Tiinuhama Beach is shaped like a heart!!
The location has become more widely known since the location was used to shoot a commercial for an airline company!
I’m hoping for some good fortune!!!
Yep! Love it♡
The rock itself is shaped like a heart, and depending on the angle you look at the space between the rocks, it can also look like an upside-down heart as well♡
It was a low tide when Holiday Hacker Ishii visited, so she got to see a beautiful upside-down heart!
I’m so jealous!
＜Tiinuhama Beach/Heart Rock Basic Information＞
| Operating Hours: | Open 24 hours |
| Bus Station | Kouri Island Direct Shuttle Bus (a 7- minute walk from Heart Rock Bus Station) |
| 住所 | 〒905-0406 沖縄県国頭郡今帰仁村字古宇利538 |
「Airando FIJI Restaurant＆Cafe」
The very first Fiji cuisine restaurant in Asia run by a Fiji-born owner and his Okinawan wife!
Unfortunately, he and his wife were back home visiting Fiji on the day we visited
One of the highly recommended picks is the “Fiji Shrimp Curry”, a dish that’s also considered traditional Fiji cuisine
Kouri Island is the only place in Japan—actually in all of Asia where you can try authentic Fiji cuisine!
Knowing that, you absolutely have to go now! (; ･`д･´)
＜Airando FIJI Restaurant ＆ Cafe Basic Information＞
| Opening Hours | 11:00 am – 4:30 pm(closes early if they run out of stock) |
| Holidays | Open year-round |
| Bus Stop | Kouri Island Direct Shuttle (About a 6-minute walk from Kouri Ocean Tower) (Around a 6-minute walk from Kotari Fureai Machiya) |
| 住所 | 〒905-0406 沖縄県国頭郡今帰仁村字古宇利294-1 |
Gajumaru Rock
Both the store interiorand the terracehave hammocks from which you can see the ocean!
How about a gently swaying on the hammock while kicking back and enjoying the beautiful ocean view after a delicious meal!?
Uneasy about getting up on the hammock? Not to worry!
“You can rest assured that there’s table seating as well”
＜Gajumaru Rock Basic Information＞
| Opening Hours | 11:30 am – Sunset |
| Holidays | Open year-round (may be closed for events/due to weather conditions)) |
| Bus Stop | Kouri Island Direct Shuttle (around an 8-minute walk from Heart Rock Station) |
| 住所 | 〒905-0406 沖縄県国頭郡今帰仁村字古宇利1933-1 |
「INN STUDIO/INN CAFE」
A 4-Story Storage Container Warehouse Painted All in Black
Woah!? “INN STUDIO/INN CAFE” is a cafe built inside of a photo studio!! You wouldn’t imagine it looking from the outside!!!!
Just put in either a one-drink order or pay the entry fee and you can freely take pictures in the studio for 2 hours!!
From vintage-style rooms to rooms consolidated in an elegant white theme, you can enjoy taking pictures in a number of picturesque backdrops through the studio!!!
“Not to mention, a nice view too”
They may be closed during photo shoots and other events,
so be sure the check the official site below before visiting!
＜INN STUDIO/INN CAFE Basic Information＞
| Opening Hours | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Holidays | Irregular |
| Please Note | Opening hours/holidays may be subject to changes, so pleasebe sure to check their official site |
| Bus Stop | Kouri Island Direct Shuttle (around an 8-minute walk from Heart Rock Station) |
| 住所 | 〒905-0406 沖縄県国頭郡今帰仁村字古宇利2278-1 |
After Exploring Kouri Island, Set Out For A Stroll in The Bise Area!
You can find all kinds of interesting places to visit right around the Emerald Beach Bus Stop!!
The Churaumi Aquarium is definitely a must-see! But you also have the Fukugi Namiki (Tree Street) and Emerald Beach as well!
Emerald Beach
I haven’t seen the Inni (my fellow Holiday Hacker Taira) do his signature jump lately
This beach is located at the farthest part of the northern side at the Ocean Expo, right by Churaumi Aquarium!
The water earned an AA rating, the highest possible grade, during the 2019 water inspection conducted by the Ministry of the Environment! (July 2019 Ministry of the Environment Announcement)
You can have both peace of mind and a sense of security in knowing that the water is clean and the facilities are well-maintained (^^♪
＜Emerald Beach Basic Information＞
| Open for Swimming | April 1 – September 30, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm October 1 – October 31, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm= |
| Open | Summer Season (March – September) 8:00 am – 7:20 pm Regular Hours(October – February)8:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Holidays | The 1st Wednesday of December and the day following |
| Bus Stop | Okinawa Airport Shuttle & Kouri Direct Shuttle (around a 5-minute walk from Emerald Beach Station) |
| 住所 | 〒905-0206 沖縄県国頭郡本部町字石川424番地 |
Bise Fukugi Namiki (Tree Street)
Exploring the village with the Bise no Fukugi Namiki,an area which Okinawa Hacker Ishii also went for a stroll! Time to explore!
It’s recommended that you rent a bicycle to get around in Bise!!
If you’re wondering where to borrow a bicycle, this is where to go!!
Fuku Rent-A-Cycle & Ippuku Chaya
You can rent everything from adult sized bikes to children’s bikes with training wheels at Ippuku Chaya!!! That’s reassuring, especially if you’re taking the trip with your kids
Additionally! They’ll tell you all about the best spots to visit in Bise!
Ippuku Chaya also has some tasty, tasty shaved ice!
Care to learn about a little insider secret!?
Ippuku Chaya has a special churro with a little twist!
As for what that twist is, we’ll leave that as surprise until you get to try it for yourself!
| Opening Hours: April - September, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm | October – March, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Holidays | Irregular |
| Bus Stop | Okinawa Airport Shuttle & Kouri Island Direct Shuttle (around a 7-minute walk from the Bise Fukugi Namiki Iriguchi Bus Stop) |
| 住所 | 〒905-0207 沖縄県国頭郡本部町字備瀬511 |
“What’s this? You’re looking a little off balance?”
Hey, you promised not to bring that up! (-_-メ)
A bicycle makes getting around the village a breeze!
okinawasun, the chic smoothie shop that Hacker Ishii visited
It’s highly recommended to stop by some the little cafes and other fun shops around the Bise ward near the Fukugi Namiki road!
The Bise ward is home to hotels like Hotel Orion Motobu Resort and Spa, Centurion Hotel Okinawa Churaumi, Hotel Yugaf Inn Bise, as well as minshuku (private inns/guest houses) throughout the village, so staying overnight could be a nice option to consider!
How about giving yourself some time to go slow with a day in Kouri Island, and a day to go around Bise?
*A bus ticket from the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle] is required to ride the [Kouri Island Direct Shuttle]
● How to Purchase a Ticket for the [Okinawa Airport Shuttle]●
Visit this official siteto make an online reservation
You can purchase your ticket “by distance” by selecting two bus stations, one as a starting stop and another as your destination stop.
You can also purchase tickets at one of the 26 ticket vendors throughout Okinawa
Some ticket vendors may also offer a “2-Time Use Pass” or an “Unlimited Pass*” For [Ticket Vendor Locations],check the [Purchase Methods] listed on the official site!
Purchasing at a Family Mart (Fami Port Machine)
Only the [2-Time Use Ticket] is available for purchase. For details on how to make the purchase,please check the [2-Time Use Ticket] sectionon the official site!
*the [Unlimited Pass] is only available at the Naha Airport Tourist Information Office (Domestic/International), the Okinawa Tourist Information Center in Asahibashi, or at a travel agency.
