Kokusai-dori
Okinawa, Japan
Kouri Island, Okinawa
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Photo: Kugel~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- free; tower ≈ ¥1,000
- Hours
- Island and bridge always open; Ocean Tower roughly 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:30
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Bridge and island
- Free, always open
- Ocean Tower
- About ¥1,000; children about ¥500
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Tower hours
- Roughly 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:30
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Highlights
- The bridge, turquoise sea, Heart Rock
- Best time
- A sunny day; low tide for the rock
- Getting there
- By car: 1 h 40 min from Naha, 20 minutes from Churaumi
Key facts
≈ 1,960 mlength of the Kouri Bridge
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travel guides2005the year the bridge opened
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travel guidesFreethe bridge and beaches
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travel guidesHeart Rocka heart-shaped rock on Tinu Beach
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travel guides'Island of love'a nickname from a legend of Okinawa's first people
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travel guides≈ ¥1,000the Ocean Tower viewpoint
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travel guides70 kmfrom Naha
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travel guides20 minutesby car from Churaumi Aquarium
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travel guidesWhat is Kouri Island?
Kouri is a small round island in Nakijin village off the northern part of Okinawa. From neighbouring Yagaji Island the Kouri Bridge, almost 2 kilometres long, leads to it. It runs low over the water, with incredibly turquoise shallows and white sand on both sides.
On the island are quiet villages, sugarcane fields, beaches and cafés. Local legend says Okinawa's first people — an Okinawan 'Adam and Eve' — lived here, so Kouri is called the 'island of love'. Hence its emblem, the heart-shaped rock on Tinu Beach.
The bridge, beaches and tower
Crossing the bridge and the beaches are free. At the Yagaji end of the bridge there's a viewpoint and car park — the best view of the bridge and water. The sea's colour is at its finest on a sunny day around midday.
On a hill in the middle of the island stands the Kouri Ocean Tower viewpoint with a garden and views of the sea and bridge; according to guides, entry is about ¥1,000 for adults, open roughly 10:00 to 18:00. Driving round the island takes 15–20 minutes.
What to see
- The Kouri Bridge over turquoise water.
- Tinu Beach with Heart Rock.
- The beach by the bridge — shallow and clear.
- Kouri Ocean Tower — a viewing tower.
- Sea-view cafés round the island.
- Sugarcane fields and quiet villages.
How to get to Kouri Island
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- By car — from Naha about 1 hour 40 minutes, 70 km, via the Okinawa Expressway to Kyoda, then along the coast.
- From Churaumi — about 20 minutes by car.
- Tour — often combined with Churaumi and Cape Manzamo.
- Bus — there's no convenient direct bus; better to hire a car.
- Round the island — a 15–20 minute drive.
Kouri Island or Cape Manzamo
| Kouriyou are here | A bridge and turquoise shallows | Free | 1–2 hours | At sunny midday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manzamo | The 'elephant trunk' rock | ≈ ¥100 | 30 minutes | At sunset |
How long do you need?
Allow 1–2 hours for Kouri: drive over the bridge, stop at the viewpoint, walk to Tinu Beach and have a coffee with a view. Longer with a swim. The island is almost always paired with Churaumi Aquarium, 20 minutes away.
In summer you can swim and snorkel off the beaches — the water is shallow and warm — but most beaches have no lifeguards, and currents at the reef edge can be strong. With children, choose the beach by the bridge, which is the shallowest.
Try the local treat — uni sea urchin, which Kouri is known for — and tropical-flavoured ice cream at the cafés by the bridge. Many island cafés open only by day, so plan lunch in advance.
Is Kouri Island worth visiting?
Yes: the colour of the water at the Kouri Bridge is one of Okinawa's great sights, and it's all free.
The YesGo take: it's hard to reach without a car, and on a cloudy day the turquoise water turns an ordinary grey. Choose a sunny day, come in the morning and combine it with Churaumi. The island itself is small — don't expect many sights; people come for the sea.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Sea and beaches: compare and choose
Beaches and waterside places rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Naminoue Shrine | 43 | 30 min | Free | 64.1 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kouri Islandyou are here | 26 | 2 h | Free | — |
| Churaumi Aquarium | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ¥2,180 | 14.0 km |
Northern Okinawa in a day
Cape Manzamo on the way, Churaumi Aquarium at midday, and the turquoise shallows of Kouri Island towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Cape Manzamo30 min · ≈ ¥100
- 368 min walk from the previous stopChuraumi Aquarium2 h 30 min · ¥2,180
- 242 min walk from the previous stopKouri Islandyou are here2 h · free; tower ≈ ¥1,000
3 places · about 15 h 10 min with walks · 610 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Come on a sunny day.
- See Heart Rock at low tide.
- Best bridge view — from the Yagaji viewpoint.
- You'll need a car.
- Nearby: Churaumi.
Questions
Is the bridge to Kouri Island a toll bridge?
No, crossing the bridge is free.
How long is the bridge?
About 1,960 metres.
Where is Heart Rock?
On Tinu Beach on the north side of the island; best at low tide.
How much is the Ocean Tower?
About ¥1,000 for adults, according to guides.
How do I get there?
By car: about 1 h 40 min from Naha, or 20 minutes from Churaumi.
Is there a bus?
No convenient direct bus — hire a car or take a tour.
How long do you need?
1–2 hours.
Can I swim?
Yes, in summer; with children, at the shallow beach by the bridge.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Travel guides — the bridge, Tinu Beach, Heart Rock, Ocean Tower, access, the legend (unofficial; no Wikipedia articles)
- Wikidata Q4518163 — coordinates
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