Yonaguni Island

What to know

Yonaguni Island (与那国島, Yonaguni-jima) is Japan's westernmost island, part of Okinawa Prefecture and the Yaeyama Islands. This small island, roughly 30 kilometers in circumference and home to fewer than 2000 people, is famous for marine activities like scuba diving and its native wildlife, including the Atlas moth and the Yonaguni horse.

Scuba divers flock here for two main attractions: large numbers of migrating hammerhead sharks visible from late November to May, and the mysterious "underwater ruins" known as the Yonaguni Monument. These stone formations appear so geometrically perfect that debate continues over whether they are natural or man-made.

Certified divers can expect single dives starting around 12,000 yen, typically including a guide, transport, tank, and weights. Non-certified divers can try trial dives from about 20,000 yen with all equipment. Note that dives to the underwater monument cost around 30,000 yen and are not recommended for beginners due to strong currents.

The island's coast has several beaches with clear waters for swimming. Unlike other Yaeyama Islands, Yonaguni lacks extensive coral reefs and is exposed to open sea currents, so swimmers enter at their own risk.

Yonaguni is also home to the Yonaguni horse, a native Japanese breed. These pony-sized horses with brown coats were originally used for riding but now roam freely in three pastures near the villages. Texas gates—grids of slates over depressions in the road—keep them from wandering off.

The island has three villages: Sonai in the north, Kubura in the west, and Higawa in the south. Sonai is the largest, followed by the fishing village of Kubura, while Higawa has only about 100 residents.