Kuroshima - Kuroshima Research Institute
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
About the Kuroshima Research Institute
The Kuroshima Research Institute is a research institute dedicated to the marine life of Kuroshima.
The research institute has specimens of coral and seashells, as well as display panels.
Kuroshima is a remote island where you can see all three species of sea turtles said to be found in Japan.
You can also see endangered species such as coconut crabs, habu snakes, and sharks in the waters off Kuroshima.
Directions to the Kuroshima Research Institute
The Kuroshima Research Institute is located about a 25-minute drive or a 5-minute walk from Kuroshima Port.
Head straight south from Kuroshima Port, and turn right at the end of the road.
Follow the road, turn right at the Y-intersection, then turn left, and you'll see the Kuroshima Research Institute straight ahead.
Click here to book a ferry to Kuroshima
How to Have Fun at the Kuroshima Research Institute
Although this facility focuses primarily on sea turtles, it also houses and displays a variety of other creatures found on Kuroshima.
As a result, it has become a popular tourist attraction on Kuroshima and also serves as a small museum and aquarium.
More about Kuroshima Research Institute
The Kuroshima Research Institute, located in the western part of Kuroshima, is a research institute affiliated with the NPO Japan Sea Turtle Council, which has been conducting surveys and research on sea turtles since the 1970s.
Research is being conducted not only on sea turtles but also on other marine life around Kuroshima.
The facility covers a floor area of 570 square meters, and its exhibition halls house and display more than 100 species of fish, crustaceans, sea turtles, and other marine life found in the waters around Kuroshima.
In addition, there is a display room for specimens such as coral, an archive, and a research laboratory.
Research on sea turtles has been conducted since 1978, and surveys of sea turtle nesting numbers have been carried out on Kuroshima and Iriomote Island to track trends.
The spawning survey at Kuroshima Nishi Beach has the longest history in Okinawa, with records dating back 40 years.
It houses one of the finest collections of coral specimens in Japan.
Given our track record as a research institute, we offer a wide range of programs, including hosting university internships and curator training programs, as well as providing educational opportunities for local elementary and junior high schools and elementary school students in Ishigaki City as part of their environmental studies.
The facility houses a variety of marine creatures, including the three species of sea turtles found in Japan: the green sea turtle, the loggerhead sea turtle, and the hawksbill sea turtle.
In addition to sea turtles, the center also houses and displays other marine creatures from Kuroshima.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Kuroshima Research Institute
Guts Sea Rock
To get to Guts Sea Rock from the Kuroshima Research Institute, leave the institute and head down the Y-shaped road.
Turn right at the end of the road, follow the road, and you'll see Negokai Rock on your left.
The Nezumi Sea Rocks are dotted with oddly shaped rocks in the shallows, creating a truly beautiful landscape.
Subtropical plants such as banyan trees grow nearby, offering visitors a view of scenery unique to the subtropics.
Also, there’s a tire stuck between the rocks on Iwaji Beach—it must have washed ashore from somewhere—and it’s known as the “hidden tire,” so be sure to look for it.
Location: 136 Kuroshima, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Directions: About a 22-minute walk from Kuroshima Port; about a 7-minute walk
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Hokei Coast
To get to Hokei Beach from the Kuroshima Research Institute, leave the institute and head down the road at the Y-intersection.
Turn right at the end of the road and follow it; you'll find Hokei Beach on your left.
The Hokei Coast is dotted with small rocks shaped like cows and mushrooms, and the sandy beach is mixed with many fragments of coral.
In addition, since Hokei Beach is located in the western part of Kuroshima, you can enjoy views of the sunset sinking below the horizon from this beach.
It is also known as a scenic spot for the beauty of its sunsets.
Location: Kuroshima, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa Prefecture
Access:-
Parking: -
Dining (vicinity)
Toilet: None
Site of a Former Checkpoint
The site of the former village guard post is a historic site located near the entrance to Miyazato Beach; it is the site of a village guard post that was once established to govern Kuroshima.
Officials dispatched from the Shuri Royal Court were stationed there permanently to collect the poll tax and oversee ships entering and leaving the island.
Currently, there is only a sign with an explanatory text.
Address: 1 Kuroshima, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About a 23-minute walk or a 4-minute drive from Kuroshima Port
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
More about Kuroshima Research Institute
| Location | 136 Kuroshima, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture (View in MAP) |
| Access | A 10-minute bike ride from Kuroshima Port |
| parking lot | ant |
| toilet | ant |
| Business Hours | - |
See all activities
Ishigaki Island Tours
← Back to Basic Information and List of Recommended Spots on Kuroshima
