Savor Irabu soup, smoked sea snake
in an umami-rich dashi broth
—an experience found only on this island.

出汁がきいたイラブー汁（燻製海蛇のスープ）を島で堪能！

From Azama Port in Nanjo City, in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island, a high-speed ferry reaches Kudaka Island in about 15 minutes. Beyond the emerald-green sea lies a small island with fewer than 200 residents. One experience you won’t want to miss here is Irabu soup, a traditional dish carefully passed down through generations. Made with smoked sea snake—known locally as irabu—this soup was once served to the royal court and continues to be prepared with great care on the island today.

沖縄本島南部・南城市の安座間港から高速船で約15分。エメラルドグリーンの海を越えた先に現れるのが、人口200人に満たない小さな島・久高島。久高島を訪れたら、ぜひ体験したいのが島に伝わる伝統料理「イラブー汁」。燻製した海蛇（沖縄の方言でイラブー）を使ったこのスープは、かつて王府に献上されていた特別な料理で、今も島で受け継がれています。

After arriving on Kudaka Island, a five-minute walk from the port brings you to Tokujin Restaurant, a cozy wooden eatery. Here, you can slow down and enjoy the island’s flavors at an unhurried pace, from Irabu soup to soba noodles topped with Kudaka’s specialty sea grapes (umibudō). It’s a welcoming place to take shelter from the strong sun and ease gently into island time.

久高島に到着すると港から徒歩5分ほどのところにある、木造の佇まいが心地よい食堂「とくじん」。イラブー汁をはじめ、久高島特産の海ぶどうを添えた「海ぶどうそば」など、島の味をゆったりと楽しめます。強い日差しを避け、島時間に身を委ねられる、旅人にとっての憩いの場所です。

Irabu soup brings together the aroma of smoked sea snake and a rich dashi broth, creating a nourishing, umami-rich bowl. The pork soki simmered alongside is so tender it falls apart with chopsticks, while the irabu meat itself has no strong odor—only a quiet, lingering depth of flavor. Take your time and savor each bite, as though tasting the island’s history.

イラブー汁は、燻製されたイラブーの香りと深い出汁が溶け合った、滋味あふれる味わい。一緒に煮込まれた豚のソーキは箸でほぐれるほど柔らかく、イラブーの身もクセがなく、静かに旨味が広がる味わい。一口ずつ、島の歴史を味わうように、ゆっくりと召し上がれ！

After your meal, you might wander through quiet village streets that have seen little tourism development, or rent a bicycle to ride around the island. Many sacred sites and beaches on Kudaka remain closed to visitors, and moving through the island with respect for its culture and beliefs is an essential part of the experience.

食後は観光地化されていない島の集落を散策したり、自転車を借りて島を一周するのもおすすめ。久高島には立ち入りが制限されている拝所やビーチも多く残されています。島の文化や信仰に敬意を払いながら歩くことも、この島を訪れる大切な体験の一つです。

When you’re ready for a break, try the island’s beloved sweet, zenzai. Next to Tokujin Restaurant, at the Kudaka Island Ferry Waiting Area, you can enjoy Okinawan-style shaved ice topped with zenzai made from five kinds of beans simmered in sweet syrup. Its gentle sweetness and the distinct textures of each bean have made it a longtime favorite.

歩き疲れたら島の甘味「ぜんざい」でひと休みはいかがでしょう？食堂「とくじん」の隣にある「久高島 船待合所」では、5種類の豆を甘く煮込みかき氷にのせたぜんざいが食べられます。豆それぞれの食感と風味が楽しめる、素朴でやさしい味わいが人気です。

If you choose to stay overnight, the island reveals an even deeper charm. Watch the sunrise from a sacred beach, then in the evening enjoy sashimi at a local izakaya. On Kudaka Island, the dipping sauce often goes beyond soy sauce and wasabi, featuring a house blend of soy sauce, garlic, and mayonnaise—a surprisingly addictive combination. Spending the night allows you to experience Kudaka Island in a way that is closer to everyday life here. If time permits, consider staying over and immersing yourself in the quiet rhythm of this sacred island.

島の魅力は宿泊すると、さらに深まる！神聖な島のビーチから見える朝日、夜の居酒屋で食べるお刺身。久高島では醤油とわさびでなく「醤油、ニンニク、マヨネーズ」を混ぜた特製ダレが定番とのこと。これが、何とも言えずおいしい！

島に泊まることで味わえる暮らしに寄り添った楽しみ方があります。時間に余裕がある方は、島に泊まり静かな島の暮らしをぜひ体験してみてください。