トゥマイ浜
Tu-mai beach
白浜が美しい静かなビーチ。透明度の高い海と遠浅の地形が特徴的で、海水浴やシュノーケリングに最適。手つかずの自然が色濃く残る穴場スポットです。
A quiet beach with beautiful white sand. Known for its crystal-clear waters and gently sloping shoreline, it’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. This hidden gem is surrounded by untouched natural beauty.
シヌグガマ(赤犬子生誕地)
Shinugu-Gama
シヌグガマは沖縄で初めて三線を作った人で琉球音楽の始祖と言われる「赤犬子」が誕生した場所として伝えられている。シヌグガマの入口には沖縄三線の材料の「くるち(黒木)」が植えられています。ガマの前には綺麗な砂浜もあり、景色も最高です。島に訪れた際には是非、琉球音楽のルーツといわれる場所に立ち寄ってみてはいかがですか。
Shinugu Gama is said to be the birthplace of Akainko, who is known as the first person in Okinawa to craft the sanshin (a traditional three-stringed instrument) and regarded as the founder of Ryukyu music. At the entrance of Shinugu Gama, you’ll find a kuruchi (blackwood) tree—one of the main materials used to make sanshin—planted there. In front of the cave lies a beautiful sandy beach with a stunning view. When visiting the island, why not stop by this legendary place, known as the root of Ryukyu music?
ニンジン展望台
Carrot observation deck
津堅島の特産品「にんじん」にちなんだユニークな形の展望台。展望台からは、エメラルドグリーンの海と津堅島の景色が一望。島を囲む青い海と豊かな畑の景色が広がり晴れた日には遠く本島まで見渡せるフォトジェニックスポットです。
This uniquely shaped observation deck is inspired by Tsuken Island’s specialty, the carrot. From the deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the emerald-green sea and the island’s landscape. The stunning scenery of blue waters surrounding the island and lush farmland stretches out before you, and on clear days, you can even see all the way to Okinawa’s main island — a truly photogenic spot.
ホートゥガー
Hotugar Spring
昔、島が深刻な水不足に悩まされていたとき、鳩を追いかけて水が湧く泉を見付けたことから名付けられた。また、湧き水(ホートゥガー)に降りる階段の途中には男女が抱き合ったような形の鍾乳石の御神体(マカー)があり、ここは子孫繁栄に御利益があるとされ、ここに訪れて祈願する人も多くいるパワースポットです。
Long ago, when the island suffered from a severe water shortage, a spring was discovered after someone followed a dove, which led to the name "Hotugar." Along the stairs leading down to the spring (Hotugar), there is a sacred stalactite formation called "Maka," which resembles a couple embracing. This spot is believed to bring blessings for fertility and prosperity of descendants, and many people visit to pray here, making it a well-known spiritual power spot.
旧灯台跡
Site of the Old Lighthouse
沖縄で最初に完成した灯台。1896年の明治時代に建設され、鉄造六角形で当時の高さは約12mあったといわれ、第二次世界大戦中に大部分は破壊されてしまっているが、当時では珍しかったであろうレンガ作りの土台部分は比較的しっかり残っており、歴史的にも貴重なものである。灯台跡の断崖からは絶景の海と沖縄本島、南には久高島を見ることが出来る。
This was the first lighthouse completed in Okinawa. Built in 1896 during the Meiji era, it had a hexagonal iron structure and was said to be about 12 meters tall at the time. Although most of it was destroyed during World War II, the brick foundation—which was rare at that time—remains relatively intact, making it a historically valuable site. From the cliff where the lighthouse once stood, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the ocean, Okinawa’s main island, and to the south, Kudaka Island.
ヤジリ浜
Yajiri Beach
島の北側に位置する穴場的なビーチ。トゥマイ浜に負けず劣らずの美しいビーチです。島の集落からも少し離れているので観光客も少なくゆっくり過ごすことができます。砂浜の向いには近くに見えて渡れそうで渡れない、アフ岩(アフグァー)と呼ばれる無人島が見えます。
Located on the northern side of the island, this is a hidden gem of a beach. It is just as beautiful as Tumai Beach. Since it is a bit farther from the village, there are fewer tourists, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time peacefully. Just offshore, you can see an uninhabited island called "Afu Rock" (Afugwa), which looks close enough to reach but is actually unreachable.
中之御嶽
Naka-no-Utaki Sacred Site
津堅島のトゥマイ浜中央部にある中之御嶽は、島の四御嶽のひとつで古くから拝所として保護され崇拝されています。御嶽には「喜舎場子」の墓があり、喜舎場子は『遺老伝説』や島の口碑によると、島にたどり着いた喜舎場子がムラ立てをはじめ、人々の日常生活の指導や、豊かなムラづくりに貢献したと伝えられ、島の人々は喜舎場子を深く崇拝、敬慕し、墓の所在する「中之御嶽」を津堅島の祖神として祀っています。
Located in the central part of Tumai Beach on Tsuken Island, this is one of the island’s four sacred sites (utaki). It has long been protected and revered as a sacred place of worship and continues to be respected today. Within this utaki lies the grave of Kishabako. According to the Iro Densetsu (Legends of the Elders) and local oral traditions, Kishabako came from Kishaba Village in Nakagusuku District, arrived on Tsuken Island, established the settlement, guided the people in their daily lives, and greatly contributed to building a prosperous community. The islanders deeply revere and respect Kishabako, and they enshrine Naka-no-Utaki, where her grave is located, as the guardian deity of Tsuken Island.
慰霊塔
War Memorial Monument
津堅島は、沖縄本島への上陸を阻止する防波堤として、昭和16年から陣地の構築が進められました。守備隊に島の若者たちが組み込まれ、部隊が壊滅するまで行動を共にしたといわれています。アメリカ軍は艦砲射撃や爆弾の投下の末、2度目のアメリカ軍の上陸で部隊は壊滅状態となったといわれております。この慰霊碑にはこの島での戦死者やその他の戦争で犠牲になった島の出身者などの氏名が彫られています。
Tsuken Island was fortified starting in 1941 (Showa 16) to serve as a breakwater to prevent landings on Okinawa’s main island. Young men from the island were incorporated into the defense forces and are said to have stayed with the unit until it was destroyed. After naval bombardments and air raids by U.S. forces, the unit was reportedly decimated during the second landing by American troops. The names engraved on this monument are those of islanders who died in battle on Tsuken Island as well as other residents who perished in various wars.
アラカー(新川)
Arakaa ("Arakaa Spring")
慰霊塔に上る階段の手前をさらに奥に進んでいくとアラカーがあります。昔から湧き水として利用されていたようで、子供が生まれると、ここの水を汲み、産湯として利用したり、亡くなった方を清めるために使っていたといわれてい神聖な場所です。
If you continue further beyond the stairs leading up to the War Memorial Monument, you will find Arakaa. This spring has been used since ancient times as a source of fresh water. It is said that when a child was born, water from this spring was drawn for their first bath, and it was also used to purify the deceased. Thus, it is regarded as a sacred place.