Kouri Island & Heart Rock
A small island connected to Okinawa's main island by a 1.9 km bridge with clear turquoise water on both sides. The island is famous for Heart Rock — two naturally heart-shaped coral rocks on Tinu Beach, framed by the East China Sea. The beach requires a 5-minute hike down from the bridge, which keeps crowds manageable.
1–2 hours
Free for island; parking varies by lot (approx. ¥100–500)
Island accessible year-round; bridge: always open; Heart Rock beach: always accessible
May–September (swimming) or year-round (scenery)
Car essential (1.5 hrs from Naha via highway)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
Tinu Beach (Heart Rock) requires a 5-min walk down a steep path — go at low tide for the best view of the heart shapes
- 2
Drive slowly over the bridge at sunset — the light on the water turns gold and the heart-shaped bay curves perfectly
- 3
The island has a small beach with good snorkeling directly below the bridge — easier access than Tinu
Local Tips
The 1,960m toll-free bridge gives extraordinary views of turquoise water in both directions. Heart Rock is two naturally eroded heart-shaped stones on a small cove — arrive before 9am to have it to yourself. The island's beaches are among the clearest in Okinawa main island. Rent a bicycle in the village to explore the beaches on the far side.
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More in Okinawa
Cape Hedo
The wild, windswept northernmost tip of Okinawa main island, where the Pacific Ocean and East China Sea visibly meet in churning swells. A monument commemorates Okinawa's return to Japan in 1972.
Cape Manzamo
A dramatic coral-limestone clifftop where the rock has been sculpted by the sea into an elephant trunk shape. One of Okinawa's most iconic viewpoints, looking out over electric-blue water to the East China Sea.
East Hennazaki Cape
A narrow 2km peninsula jutting into the Pacific with a lighthouse at the tip, flanked by lily fields in spring. A National Scenic Beauty — the walk out feels like being on the prow of a ship sailing into open ocean.