Explore the Japanese Amazon and Underwater Ruins, The Most Beautiful Scenery Around the Okinawa Islands

Taketomi Island, one of the Yaeyama Islands, is only 10 minutes away from Ishigaki. Because the island has completely preserved featured architecture such as the traditional Okinawan wooden and red-tiled houses, stone walls made from coral rocks, and roads covered with white coral sand, the national government designated the entire island as "An Important Traditional Building Group Conservation Area." Over 300 island inhabitants work together to maintain this ancient and unchanging Southern scenery. Mr. Ox, who used to work quietly on the farmland, is most qualified to take you on a tour of the island. He has now been transformed into a real-life treasure, pulling his ox-cart and transporting tourists here and there among the ancient villages. On the ride, the coachman will explain to you the structure of the traditional Okinawan architecture and sing Yaeyama folk songs along to the Shamisen music. While you enjoy the blooming hibiscus flowers and the tranquil Okinawan rural scenery, time seems to stand still on the 30-minute tour, and you are transported back to ancient Okinawa.

Zamami Island, about 50 minutes from Naha, is famous for its clear waters, beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and plentiful marine life. It is also a famous and sacred location for SCUBA divers visiting Okinawa. Additionally, whale watching here is also quite popular. The whale watching season runs from the end of December to the beginning of April, when you can even watch humpback whales. The whale watching ships are led by a senior captain with 30 years of whale watching experience. The staff will also look out for and observe the movements of humpback whales from the observation platform before setting off, and will then raise anchor after sighting the whales. Therefore, over 97% of whale watching ships departing from Zamami port every year see humpback whales. You can typically see humpback whales’ surface to take a breath and slap their tails. If you are lucky, you can even see these behemoths leaping out of the ocean doing somersaults!

Ishigaki Island is one of the most famous and lively islands in Okinawa. It is the central island of the Yaeyama Islands. Visits to islands such as Iriomote Island, Taketomi Island, Hateruma, and YYonaguni usually start from Ishigaki Island, which is known as the embarking point. Ishigaki Island offers many beautiful views, including the highest point in Okinawa, Mount Omoto, which is 526 m above sea level; Shiraho island is surrounded by crystal clear waters and coral reefs, a paradise for SCUBA divers; The azure waters in Kabira Bay are also the best in Okinawa. Moreover, many people also visit here for the shopping and to try the famous and delicious Ishigaki beef. It's a lot of fun!

Iriomote Island, the largest island in Okinawa, is about 40 minutes away from Ishigaki Island. The island has the reputation of being "the Japanese Amazon" and "Japan's Last Secluded Island" since 90% of it is covered in virgin subtropical forests and inhabited by rare animals such as Iriomote cats and crested serpent eagles. Rivers flow down to the sea through the large swarm of mangrove forest as well as gushing waterfalls. This unique natural landscape, one of the best in Japan, is a popular location for outdoor activities such as canoeing, hiking, waterfall and jungle exploration and a paradise for lovers of the outdoors.

Miyako-jima is the main island of the Miyako Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean about 300 km southwest of Okinawa Island. Miyako-jima, formed by rising coral reefs, has beautiful white sandy beaches and a rippling sea. Even in Okinawa, it can be ranked as the most beautiful island. Miyako-jima also features Japan's largest coral reef group, the "Yabiji," which is located about 5-16 km behind Ikema Island, connected to Miyako-jima via the Ikema Bridge. It covers an area of about 10 km from the north to the south and 6.5 km from the east to the west. It is only under water once a year when high tide comes in. Therefore, it is known as "Japan's Great Barrier Reef" and is a popular resort for snorkeling and diving. In addition to enjoying tropical fish swimming between the corals, you have a very good chance of encountering stingrays between December and March, and even humpback whales and dolphins occasionally.

Hateruma is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan, only an hour from Ishigaki Island by speedboat. There are not many activities and scenic spots here, but it is the best place to observe the Crux in Japan, making it a must for astrophiles. Hateruma is sparsely populated and has very few lights. It's easy to see the magnificent stars in the night sky with the naked eye. At the southern end of the island, in Takanazaki, there is an observatory complete with star observation equipment and guides; The bright and brilliant Crux can be clearly seen between December and June.

Yonaguni is Japan's westernmost island, close to Taiwan and far from the other islands in Okinawa - a 30 minute flight from Ishigaki Island. The most famous scenic spot in Yonaguni is the remains of the mysterious ancient city found on the Southern seabed. This man-made underwater civilization has attracted worldwide attention and is a place highly sought out by Scuba divers. This huge underwater monument looks a bit like a pyramid, and there are many strange stone structures, including giant boulders, stone pillars, terraces, canals, caves, and sculptures depicting civilized culture. Therefore, some experts have suggested that this large monument is the result of a civilized city sinking underwater 10,000 years ago. From then on, this unknown Japanese outer island, has drawn global attention and has become a charming and attractive archaeological site.