Introducing places of interest: Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Sekisei Lagoon)
- | Iriomotejima |
- Sekisei Lagoon |
- Ishigakijima |
Taketomijima
[Residential sector on Taketomijima]
Located approximately 6 kilometers and 10 minutes removed by regular ferry service from Ishigakijima, Taketomijima is a typical small raised coral island with a circumference of about 9 kilometers. Visitors can savor first-hand an island cultural landscape cultivated against the backdrop of a distinctive natural environment. The community here has been designated a preservation district of important historic buildings by the national government.
Taketomi Yugafu-kan (Taketomijima Visitor Center)
A facility established to introduce the natural environment and traditional culture of Taketomijima, the Taketomijima Visitor Center presents pertinent, up-to-date information on Taketomijima to visitors to the island. Follow a nature study trail starting at the Visitor Center to gain a better appreciation for the culture and natural heritage of the island as you walk past explanatory signs that describe on, which are sacred sites scattered throughout the island, and various other points of interest.
Kondoi Beach
[Kondoi Beach]
A beach of pure white sand stretches along the east coast of Taketomijima. Since the water is shallow to a considerable distance from the shore, this is an ideal place for enjoying the pleasures of the sea with the whole family.
Nagomi Tower
Nagomi Tower is an observation facility set up in the center of the island. Climb up a steep flight of concrete steps to obtain a panoramic view of the entire island clad in rows of red-tiled houses and lush greenery.
Kuroshima
[The view from Kuroshima
Observatory]
Situated approximately 18 kilometers from Ishigakijima, Kuroshima is a heart-shaped island measuring 13 kilometers around its circumference. The island is inhabited by about 230 people. In contrast, there are about 3,000 heads of cattle—more than 10 times the number of human beings—grazing on pastureland, which accounts for over half of the land area of the island.
Kuroshima Visitor Center
Built on the former site of a lookout (a location that has been designated a cultural asset by Taketomi Town), the Kuroshima Visitor Center presents exhibits on the beautiful coral reefs and other aspects of the natural environment found on and around the island as well as on the traditional culture of Kuroshima. Try your hand at playing a sanshin stringed instrument or at making a traditional yubihabu toy. The center is equipped with shower facilities.
Nakamoto Coast
[Nakamoto Coast]
At low tide, an offshore outreef breaks through the surface of the water to allow a natural pool to emerge between it and the shore. As this pool is minimally affected by the waves of the open sea, visitors can engage in snorkeling and easily explore tropical fish and reef-building corals.
Kohamajima
Ufudaki
[The view from Ufudaki Observatory]
Ufudaki is a hill rising 99 meters above sea level. Standing on its summit, you can see beautiful coral reefs in the Sekisei Lagoon as well as – on clear days – survey at a glance the islands of Ishigakijima, Taketomijima, Kuroshima, Aragusukujima, Iriomotejima, Hatomajima, Kaymajima, and Haterumajima.