Page 265 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

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Satsuma domain in the 17th
century. When someone grew
to the height of the stone they
were deemed old enough to
start paying taxes.
At the tip of Higashi Henna
cape on the east coast you can
look out over the Pacific Ocean
to the left and the East China
Sea to the right.
On the southwest coast,
facing Kurima island, Yonaha
Maehama Beach, a 4-km
(2-mile) stretch of pristine white
sand, offers the island’s best Yaeyama History Museum, Ishigaki Island
swimming, fishing, and diving.
Yae yama Museum, near the property. The island can easily
Y Miyakojima City Botanical harbor, which contains ancient be explored on foot or by bike.
Garden ceramics, Yaeyama-jofu textiles, Taketomi is famous as the source
Open daily. and Polynesian-style canoes. of minsa, an indigo fabric used
Not far away is Miyara Dunchi, for kimono belts, which can be
Other Islands a 19th-century noble man’s seen in the main village. It
g from Miyako Island; or by road home. Shiraho Reef, off also has some of Okinawa’s
bridge to Kurima and Ikema. the south eastern tip of best-preserved houses.
Mostly set aside for sugarcane the island, is the world’s To the west, is Kondoi
plantations, Kurima is of inter est largest expanse of Beach, the island’s finest
to ornithologists as sea hawks blue coral. Kabira Bay beach and Kaiji Beach,
rest here for a few days in on the north shore, which has star-shaped
October on their way to the is full of small islets and sand – the fossilized
Philippines. The main sight on supports a cultured skeletons of tiny sea
Ikema, off the far north of black pearl industry. animals. The stunning
Miyako, is the Yaebishi reef, aquamarine waters here
which emerges in all its splen- P Yaeyama Museum support bountiful
dor during low spring tides. Open Tue–Sun. & tropical sealife, and
Off the west coast is Irabu, brilliantly colored
linked by six bridges to neigh- E Miyara Dunchi A dancer in traditional butterflies swarm
boring Shimoji. On Shimoji, two Open Wed–Mon. & costume, Ishigaki Island around the beach.
deep green lakes called Tori-ike
are connected to the sea by an Taketomi Island Iriomote Island
underground river and tunnel. * 330. g from Ishigaki. * 2,300. g from Ishigaki.
Locals believe that the lakes are n (0980) 85-2488. n (0980) 82-5445.
haunted; for those brave enough, Meaning “prosperous bamboo,” Possibly the wildest landmass
the area is a superb diving locale. Taketomi is a quiet, unspoiled in Japan, 90 percent of Irio mote
island. Its neatness stems from is forest and jungle. Visitors
an old custom by which it was, can take cruises along its two
r Yaeyama Islands and still is, the responsibility of main rivers, the Nakama and
Yaeyama Islands Urauchi, where black oyster
all householders to sweep the
street in front of their own beds, mangroves, and tropical
430 km (270 miles) SW of trees, including the rare
Okinawa Island.
Yaeyama coconut palm, can be
The Yaeyamas are Japan’s most seen. The three-stage Mariyudo
southerly islands, its last frontier Falls end the Urauchi River trip.
of tourism. Some of the finest The island is famous as the last
scuba diving in Asia is found here. habitat of the Iriomote wild cat.
Ishigaki Island Yonaguni Island
* 48,000. k from Naha and Miyako. * 1,700. g from Naha and Ishigaki.
g from Naha and Hirara port, Miyako ~ from Naha. n (0980) 87-2402.
Island. n (0980) 82-2809. Yonaguni is the ultimate
_ Angama Festival (late Aug). re treat – the last island in the
Ishigaki’s airport and harbor serve archipelago. Excellent sword fish
the outlying islands in the group. and bonito fishing provide
Glimpses of the unique Yaeyama The orderly, sandy lanes of Taketomi interest along with Japan’s
culture can be seen at the Island village strongest sake – hanazake.

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