Location: this is a small island off the norther coast of Motobu. It is connected with Okinawa-honto by two bridges, one from Oyama (just above Motobu peninsula, on the 58) to Yagaji jima, the next from Yagaji to Kouri. Kouri jima is an attractive island, with dramatic hills and cliffs, tropical vegetation, agriculture, and some white-sand beaches. Depending on your location, there are views out to Ie, Motobu, and the big island. The water in this area is an amazing turquoise, and clearer than in the south of Okinawa-honto. There is a road that circumnavigates the island, and leads to the beaches on the north of the i
sland. These are long and smooth, have minimal trash, and people snorkel in the reef off the beach. There are also a couple beaches on the south of the island, where the bridge meets the land. These are the most popular, and beachcombers seemed enthralled on these patches of sand. The west side of the island is rough, with rocky cliffs. For those lucky enough to have access to a boat or kayak, the east side of the island has calm waters, sheltered by the bay created by Motobu and Okinawa-honto. There are beautiful sandy coves along this coast, mostly inaccessible from the road. Although the reef is not healthy, the snorkeling is better than average, perhaps because 
this area is not as overfished/overused by humans. Any live bit of coral has its own community of fish and crustacean life, and we saw a couple eels as well. We did not explore food options on Kouri-jima. We picked up bento boxes on the way. There is a waterside izakaya at the junction of the 71 and the 505.
sland. These are long and smooth, have minimal trash, and people snorkel in the reef off the beach. There are also a couple beaches on the south of the island, where the bridge meets the land. These are the most popular, and beachcombers seemed enthralled on these patches of sand. The west side of the island is rough, with rocky cliffs. For those lucky enough to have access to a boat or kayak, the east side of the island has calm waters, sheltered by the bay created by Motobu and Okinawa-honto. There are beautiful sandy coves along this coast, mostly inaccessible from the road. Although the reef is not healthy, the snorkeling is better than average, perhaps because 
this area is not as overfished/overused by humans. Any live bit of coral has its own community of fish and crustacean life, and we saw a couple eels as well. We did not explore food options on Kouri-jima. We picked up bento boxes on the way. There is a waterside izakaya at the junction of the 71 and the 505. 