Kerama Shotō National Park, National park near Zamami, Japan
Kerama Shotō National Park is a national park spread across the small Kerama Islands, southwest of Okinawa in Japan. It covers both land and sea, with coral reefs, sandy beaches, and rocky coastal stretches forming the main landscape.
The Kerama Islands were home to fishing communities for centuries, with daily life built around the sea. In 2014, the area was officially designated as a national park to protect its marine environment for the long term.
The easiest way to reach the park is by ferry from Okinawa's main island to Zamami, a crossing that takes about an hour. Once there, walking or renting a bike are the best ways to move around, as the island is small and the roads are easy to follow.
The waters around the Kerama Islands are known for their clarity, and on a clear day you can spot coral and fish from the surface without any gear. The islands are also a known spot for watching humpback whales, which pass through these waters in winter.
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