The island is home to Egami Church, the Shirotake Observatory, and a ferry port servicing travel to and from Nagasaki.

Naru Island's history has been defined by its fishery, as well as its role in providing sanctuary for the Hidden Christians fleeing Tokugawa persecution.

Christianity was introduced to the Gotō Islands, including Naru, in 1566, as proclaimed by Luis de Almeida, but worshipping was banned in 1612. de Almeida's mission was on Fukue Island, but the names of Japanese Catholics are preserved from the early 17th century, suggesting that his mission extended north from Fukue to Naru and Hisaka, located between the two.

The Ministry of the Environment has conducted pilot projects in Nagasaki prefecture to test the feasible of marine renewable energy since 2010.

Authorities are in the process of building a test center, similar to the European Marine Energy Centre located in Scotland.