Kitadaito, Remote village in Shimajiri District, Japan
Kitadaito is a village spread across two islands with dramatic cliffs and flat plains extending about 13 square kilometers into the Pacific Ocean east of Okinawa. The landscape shifts between steep coastal drops and more level terrain toward the center of each island.
Japan claimed the territory in 1885, and the first settlers arrived in 1900 to establish sugar cane plantations. This agricultural foundation shaped the settlement's early growth.
The local population speaks standard Japanese alongside a specific dialect that shares linguistic features with Hachijo and Aogashima languages.
Getting here means taking either a 70-minute flight from Naha or a 15-hour ferry ride, with services running weekly. Plan ahead and book transportation in advance since options are limited.
The central freshwater pond experiences tidal changes due to lens effects and once served as the main water source before modern systems were built. It remains a reminder of early settlement challenges on an isolated island.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
