Last additions - Ishigaki 石垣市・石垣島 |

JTA in-flight magazine "Coralway" had a nice Japanese article about the reconstruction of Shuri Castle in Naha.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Chopstick rest made of a shell at Hirugi Restaurant in Hotel Miyahira, Ishigaki.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Hirugi Restaurant in Hotel Miyahira, Ishigaki. Notice the chopstick rest made of a shell.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

In front of Ishigaki Port is Hotel Miyahira. Went there for lunch.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

My buffet breakfast at at the hotel restaurant in the main building. Most dishes are covered with Saran wrap.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Leaving the old Ishigaki Port.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Floating dock at the old Ishigaki Port. 離島桟橋Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Euglena Mall years ago. A small shopping arcade very near Ishigaki Port.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Inside Ishigaki Yaeyama Museum. Exhibits Yaeyama's archaeology, history, art, and folk customs. 石垣市立八重山博物館Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Entrance to Ishigaki Yaeyama Museum that opened in 1972 to mark the reversion of Okinawa to Japan. It's right near Ishigaki Port. 石垣市立八重山博物館Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Yaeyama Post Office Ishigaki Port in central Ishigaki.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

In front of Ishigaki City Hall, a tree planted to reaffirm sister-city relations in 1999 between Ishigaki and Kauai, Hawaii. Planted by then Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka. Ishigaki and Kauai have been sister cities since May 1963.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. It didn't have a passenger terminal building like today, only tour agent offices.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. 旧石垣港。Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. Only one floating dock for the larger boats. This dock has been dismantled when the new Ishigaki Port was built.Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. This is only 200 meters away from the new Ishigaki Port terminal building. The high-rise Hotel East China Sea is under construction. 旧石垣離島桟橋。ホテルイーストチャイナシー建設中。Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. This old port was in operation until 2006 before the new and current terminal was built for tourist boats. 旧石垣離島桟橋。Jan 25, 2021
|
|

Top of Yarabudake, Ishigaki. Waiting for the sunrise.Jan 23, 2021
|
|

Our tour guide took a picture of us on Yarabudake.Jan 23, 2021
|
|

View of coral reef from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. Jan 23, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Port for tourist boats to other Yaeyama islands. Terminal building is on the right with the front entrance on the right side. On the left are four floating piers.Taketomi island can be seen in the distance. Photo from Wikipedia.Jan 23, 2021
|
|

Moon was nice too.Jan 22, 2021
|
|
|

Another stargazing spot on Ishigaki, in the middle of sugar cane. We were with a large group of people also sitting on camping chairs.The guide standing on the left talked nonstop in Japanese with a microphone. He used a laser pointer to point out constellations and stars. Jan 22, 2021
|
|

They also had a telescope to see Saturn and the moon.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

We're lying flat on cots and staring at the sky as our stargazing guide used a laser pointer to point out stars and constellations.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Stargazing on the Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's roof. This tour option is called "Shani-shani Hoshizora Tour" (しゃにしゃに星空ツアー). Info in Japanese: https://www.utakuna-ishigakijima.com/hoshizoratourJan 22, 2021
|
|

Starry night from Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's roof.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Hotel lobby sofas.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Breakfast buffet at the hotel restaurant in the main building. Plastic partitions protect the food. ブーゲンの浜Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Painting of Okinawan yotsudake dancer in the hotel corridor.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Painting of Okinawan dancers in the hotel.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Dinner at the hotel's Nami no Shi (波の詩) restaurant. Dinner was kaiseki ryori (会席料理) including Okinawan beef. 赤瓦レストラン 波の詩にがなの白和え、グルクン南蛮漬、小松菜の胡麻和え、お造り 2 点盛、島魚の煮つけ、県産和牛の 陶板焼き、ゆし豆腐のすまし汁Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki sunset.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Hotel restaurant terrace at sunset. オープンレストラン 海辺のテラスJan 22, 2021
|
|

The hotel's oceanfront does have great Ishigaki sunset views.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki sunset.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

An adjacent hotel had chairs on the waterfront for the sunset.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Walked along the oceanfront.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Although the hotel's name has the word "Beach," there's no beach and it's not for swimming. In summer, they have marine activities, but no ocean swimming or sunbathing on a beach. There's a pool and lawn though.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Tropical plant.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

View from my room, partially obstructed by a big tree.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

View from my room.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Roomy balcony of my hotel room.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Refrigerator.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Room rate is about ¥15,000/person in this new annex. Pricing also depends on the season.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Very modern room.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

My nice room at Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's Ocean Garden annex.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's newer Ocean Garden annex. 新館Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Hotel pool if you want to swim. Because you cannot swim in the ocean...Jan 22, 2021
|
|

On the southern coast of Ishigaki, we stayed at Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine for one night. It's a nice hotel. About 30 min. by car from the airport. 本館 https://www.ishigakijima-sunshine.net/Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine has the main building on the left. We stayed in the newer annex seen in the distance. Both buildings face the ocean.Including breakfast, it costs ¥8,000/person for two people in a room in the main building.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Car ferry named "Kariyushi" which is an Okinawan tropical shirt.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Anei Kanko high-speed boat named "Paijima" for 181 passengers. We rode this boat from Ohara, Iriomote back to Ishigaki Port. ぱいじまJan 22, 2021
|
|

Japan Coast Guard boat. They have the hard job of patrolling and protecting the nearby Senkaku Islands, part of Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Departing Ishigaki Port.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Inside our Anei Kanko high-speed boat to Iriomote, No. 12 Anei with a capacity for 89 passengers. 第12あんえい号Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Our Anei Kanko high-speed boat to Iriomote. 第12あんえい号総トン数19t 旅客定員89名 航海速力38.0ノット 2003年12月進水・2004年1月就航Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Port boat dock. Anei Kanko (安栄観光) and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry (八重山観光フェリー) are the two main boat companies operating here.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Port boat dock.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

About Gushiken Yoko. Born 1955.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Statue of Gushiken Yoko at Ishigaki Port, former pro boxer and local hero from Ishigaki. This statue was unveiled in Dec. 2013.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Statue of Gushiken Yoko at Ishigaki Port, former pro boxer and local hero from Ishigaki. He held the WBA light-flyweight title from 1976 to 1981.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

There are four floating boat docks where boats can dock on both sides. They have red roof tiles.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

At the docks.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Tour agency office near the port terminal.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Floor plan of Ishigaki Port terminal building which opened in Jan. 2007 after moving from the old port 200 meters from here.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Inside the Ishigaki Port terminal building. This building opened on Jan. 31, 2007 after the terminal and boat docks were moved here from the old port only 200 meters east. On the right is a planetarium.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Inside the Ishigaki Port terminal building. One big hallway with doors to the boat docks and ticket windows and tour agency counters.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Port is on the southern coast of Ishigaki island. It's the marine gateway to other Yaeyama islands such as Taketomi, Iriomote, Kuroshima, and Aragusuku.Ishigaki Port consists of multiple port facilities. For tourists, the facility for tourist boats going to other Yaeyama islands might be called "Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal" or nicknamed "Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal" (ユーグレナ石垣港離島ターミナル) since a company named Euglena bought the naming rights for 5 years in 2018.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Shiraho coral reefs on Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Shiraho coral reefs on Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Shiraho coral reefs on Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

ShirahoJan 22, 2021
|
|

The center of this photo shows the site where the new airport was going to be built.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Taking off at the old Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Taking off at the old Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Taking off at the old Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

On Runway 04 at the old Ishigaki Airport. At 1,500 meters, it was too short for jets larger than a Boeing 737. So the new airport was built on a different location.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Runway at the old Ishigaki Airport. The slanty white building visible is the ANA hotel on the beach. That's how close the old airport was to town.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ground crew at the old Ishigaki Airport waving goodbye to us. I waved back.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Inside JTA plane, flight attendants figuring out what to tell us.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

JTA plane's see-sa at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Walking on the tarmac to the JTA plane at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

I liked walking on the tarmac to the plane at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

No jet bridge, but it wasn't a problem when it didn't rain.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

At the old Ishigaki Airport, JTA boarding gate. One of the check-in staff wears a yukata. Also notice the old digital signage.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

At the old Ishigaki Airport, inside the JTA passenger waiting area at the boarding gate.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Airport terminal for JTA. Small building. The old airport first opened in 1943 for military use. It became a civilian airport in 1956.This passenger terminal building was built in 1961 and used mainly by JTA (Japan Transocean Air) and RAC (Ryukyu Air Commuter). ANA had its own adjacent terminal.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Airport terminal for JTA, Arrivals. No jet bridges.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Old Ishigaki Airport terminal, Arrivals. No jet bridges. Jets (Boeing 737) started flying here only from 1979. Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Approaching the old Ishigaki Airport terminal.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

This is the old Ishigaki Airport before it closed in March 2013 and was replaced by the new and current airport slightly north of this old airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Aerial view of Ibaruma and Hirakubo, Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Aerial view of Ibaruma Coast, Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Aerial view of Nosoko, Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Looking at the Nosoko area of Ishigaki. Mt. Nosokodake can be seen. Bye-bye Ishigaki...Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Coral reef along Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Flying over Shiraho, Ishigaki.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Lots of farmland next to the airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Up, up and away...Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Taking off from the runway at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Cleared for takeoff, Captain. Roger!Jan 22, 2021
|
|

ANA Boeing 787 landing at Ishigaki Airport, probably from Haneda, Tokyo. Thanks to the new airport's longer runway, such wide-body jets can land here.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Here it comes for a smooth landing.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Runway traffic stop for an incoming plane.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport control tower.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Boeing 737 winglet waving goodbye to the control tower at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Leaving Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

RAC (Ryukyu Air Commuter) prop plane.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Pushback at Ishigaki Airport on JTA Boeing 737-800 for Naha. Didn't see any ground crew waving goodbye to us.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

View of Ishigaki Airport terminal from the jet bridge. The circular structure above the roof toward the control tower is a lookout deck.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

RAC commuter plane.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jet bridgeJan 22, 2021
|
|

View of Ishigaki Airport from the jet bridge.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jet bridgeJan 22, 2021
|
|

Boarding gate at Ishigaki Airport for our flight to Naha. We just scan the QR code on our smartphone screen.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Passenger waiting area in front of the boarding gate. Very modern.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Our JTA Boeing 737-800 plane at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport Jan 22, 2021
|
|

JTA Boeing 737-800 plane at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Lookout deck, round, open-air structure.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport control tower.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Oceanside from Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Another lookout deck, round, open-air structure.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

ANA at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Another lookout deck at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

JTA planeJan 22, 2021
|
|

Jet wayJan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport terminal lookout deck on the top floor.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport's control tower.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport can be seen.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Bales of grass for cattle feed.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

The drive between the airport and central Ishigaki is largely rural with farmland and cattle.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Some tropical plants at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Giant clam decoration at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Car rentals across the road.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Outside Ishigaki Airport terminal for ground transportation.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport's nickname is "Painushima Ishigaki Airport" (南ぬ島 石垣空港) which means "Southern Island Ishigaki Airport." When it first opened, it was also commonly called "New Ishigaki Airport" to distinguisJan 22, 2021
|
|

First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops. Second floor is the departure gates.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal also has a restaurant and gift shops.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport Arrivals gate on the frist floor. Where local friends or tour guides can meet you after you arrive.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

At Ishigaki Airport, a large welcome and warning sign after getting out of baggage claim in fall 2020. It says to please wear masks, wash your hands, avoid crowds, etc., to protect local residents. We of course took all the necessary precautions.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Baggage claim at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Our JTA plane that landed at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

View of Ishigaki Airport terminal from the jet bridge.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Approaching the jet bridge.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

It took years to decide where to build the new airport. One disturbing plan was to reclaim part of Shiraho coral reef. Fortunately, this plan was scratched.In 2000, the location was finally decided inland on the island's east side and more northerly from the old airport. Construction began in 2006 with a 2,000-meter runway. New Ishigaki Airport opened in March 2013. Airport terminal with the control tower on the right.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

This new Ishigaki Airport opened in March 2013. Due to the Yaeyama islands becoming a popular tourist destination, there were calls to built a bigger airport since 1979.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Bird's eye view of New Ishigaki Airport. Only one runway, 2,000 meters long, long enough for widebody jets. Terminal has four jet bridges.(Photo from Wikipedia.)Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki Airport's runway.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Landed on Ishigaki Airport's runway.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki is the gateway to Okinawa Prefecture's Yaeyama Islands. Ishigaki Airport near central Ishigaki is how most visitors get to Yaeyama.Bird's eye view of central Ishigaki from a jet plane going to land at Ishigaki Airport.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Descending toward Ishigaki Airport adjacent to farmland.Jan 22, 2021
|
|

Butterfly in Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

Bird of Paradise flower in Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

Jan 16, 2021
|
|

Rest house in Banna Park. It's a large park with a variety of sights, playgrounds, lookout points, and nature.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of the mountains north of Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of the mountains north of Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of Sakieda Peninsula from Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of Sakieda Peninsula from Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of central Ishigaki from Banna Park. Taketomi Island can be seen on upper right.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of central Ishigaki from Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of central Ishigaki from Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

View of central Ishigaki from Banna Park.Jan 16, 2021
|
|

Banna Park on Banna Hill (230m elevation) in the northern fringe of central Ishigaki is a large nature & recreational park. This is one of the main lookout points. Named "Emerald Ocean Lookout Point" overlooking the city center and nearby isThis is in Zone B of the park along the Banna Skyline road. This photo was taken before the stargazing platform was built next to it. エメラルドの海を見る展望台Jan 16, 2021
|
|

Sukuji Beach has a lot of shallow water, so it's safe to swim. But at low tide, there's lots of rocks. Be sure to swim within the designated area protected against jellyfish with underwater nets. 底地ビーチJan 15, 2021
|
|

Sukuji Beach is 1 km long. It has showers and changing rooms for the public. It's also where the Ishigaki Seaside Hotel is located. 底地ビーチJan 15, 2021
|
|

On the opposite side of Kabira on the other side of the peninsula is another stretch of white sands called Sukuji Beach. One of Ishigaki's major swimming beaches. 底地ビーチ.Jan 15, 2021
|
|

On Cape Ogansaki, memorial for the 35 people who died in the Yaeyama Maru that was shipwrecked on Dec. 8, 1952 off this coast. 御神埼Monument was built in Dec. 1976.Jan 13, 2021
|
|

Cape Ogansaki 御神埼Jan 13, 2021
|
|

Cape Ogansaki 御神埼Jan 13, 2021
|
|

Cape Ogansaki 御神埼Jan 13, 2021
|
|

Cape Ogansaki 御神埼Jan 13, 2021
|
|

Drive further around Sakieda Peninsula and see Ishigaki Cape Ogansaki Lighthouse. Built in March 1983. 石垣御神埼灯台Jan 13, 2021
|
|

Cape Ogansaki 御神埼Jan 13, 2021
|
|

Straight ahead is Kohama island (小浜島) in the distance. The small island in front of it on the right is Kayama (嘉弥真島). The big island on the right is Iriomote.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Taketomi island in the distance. Flat, coral outcrop. Quaint, charming island, a short boat ride from Ishigaki Port.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Looking toward Taketomi island in the distance.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Too cloudy for a nice sunrise, but the views were marvelous on Mt. Yarabudake.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Beyond the mountain in the center is Kabira Bay.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Looking toward Sakieda Bay and Kabira.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Our tour guide on Troll's Tongue playing his sanshin.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Top of Mt. Yarabudake. This rock is known as Troll's Tongue.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Typical mountain trail on Ishigaki. Jan 11, 2021
|
|

A few steep parts, but ropes help you up.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Sunrise hike up Mt. Yarabudake (屋良部岳) on Sakieda Peninsula in western Ishigaki. It starts near the summit from this small, easy-to-miss trail.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Thick, wild forest and lots of exposed tree roots. The frequent typhoons wash/blow away the soil from the tree roots.Jan 11, 2021
|
|

Our waitress in Okinawan dress explaining our lunch at Yaima Mura.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Yaeyama soba noodlesJan 10, 2021
|
|

Ishigaki cuisine for lunch. Main dish was soba noodles. Side dishes of pig's ear, goya & tuna, juushi flavored rice (じゅーしー), local seaweed, and brown sugar jelly (dessert). Pig's ear is chewy/crunchy, not really tasty, but has a lot of collagen, so it's a health food.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Yaima Mura Restaurant for tour groups.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Yaima Mura Restaurant. This is also where you can rent Okinawan clothing.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

The squirrel monkeys climb all over you.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Squirrel Monkey Garden リスザルの森Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Squirrel Monkey Garden entrance. You need to leave your bags at the entrance. リスザルの森Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Found only in Yaeyama, Ryukyu serpent eagle that was found injured and being treated here. They like to eat snakes. Called "Ayapani" (あやぱに) in Yaeyama. カンムリワシ保護ケージJan 10, 2021
|
|

Sugar cane processing factory.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Uechi Residence (Farmer;s house)Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Fisherman's home, side view.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Fisherman's home.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Fisherman's home.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Fisherman's home.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Fisherman's boat house.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Yaeyama fisherman's home.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Ryukyu matsu pine tree is endemic to Okinawa. It stands straight up and takes an umbrella shape like this. Okinawa's official tree. リュウキュウマツ (琉球松)We don't really see pine trees like this on mainland Japan. Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Ryukyu matsu pine treesJan 10, 2021
|
|

Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Ryukyu matsu pine trees 琉球松Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Ryukyu matsu pine treesJan 10, 2021
|
|

Ryukyu matsu pine trees are native to Okinawa. 琉球松Jan 10, 2021
|
|

About Amparu Lookout in Japanese. アンパル塔Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Sakieda Peninsula in the distance as seen from Amparu Lookout.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Top of Amparu Lookout gives nice views of the lush greenery in the park.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Reconstruction of a 17th-century Amparu Lookout tower used to look out for shipwrecked ships from China, Japan, and Okinawa. They were many of these towers in Ryukyu.There's a spiral slope going around the tower to reach the top.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Makishi Residence privacy wall. 旧牧志邸Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Can-type sanshin in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Sanshin in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸Jan 10, 2021
|
|

They hold traditional music performances in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Inside Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Makishi Residence is a traditional Yaeyama home. 旧牧志邸Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Several traditional Yaeyama homes in a park-like setting with lush greenery. "Yaima" means Yaeyama in the local Yaeyama dialect.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Yaima Mura is a small architectural park of traditional Yaeyama homes overlooking Nagura Bay. Open 9:00 am–5:30 pm. Adult admission ¥1,000, kids ¥500. https://www.yaimamura.com/Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Stargazing near Nosokodake. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Stargazing at Nosokodake Lookout Point. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Stargazing at Nosokodake Lookout Point. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Lots of sugar cane in Yaeyama.Jan 10, 2021
|
|

Jan 10, 2021
|
|

View of coral reefs from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. Jan 10, 2021
|
|
|