Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
As any local will tell you, this attractive beach is the best place on the island for watching the sunset over the East China Sea. Find it on the west…
Must-see attractions in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
An intriguing site for a stroll or dive is this pair of seawater pools on the west coast of Shimoji-jima, known by locals as 'dragon's eyes' – these are…
Naha
Garden fans should take a stroll through peaceful, Chinese-style Fukushū-en. All materials were brought from Fuzhou, Naha's sister city in China,…
Ōsumi Islands
The west coast of Tanegashima is home to a 12km stretch of beach known as the Nagahama-kaigan (coastline) that is equally popular with diehard surfers and…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On Irabu-jima's west coast, this is the island's best swimming beach, with showers, toilets and the delightful Blue Turtle bar-restaurant.
Yaeyama Islands
Kondoi Beach, on the west coast, offers the best swimming on the island. At the entrance to the beach you'll find bike parking, picnic tables and toilets.
Yaeyama Islands
Literally 'Standing-God Rock' (although another name might come to mind), this offshore obelisk can be viewed from several spots on the bluffs above.
Yaeyama Islands
The best swimming beach on the island is Tsuki-ga-hama, a crescent-shaped yellow-sand beach at the mouth of the Urauchi-gawa on the north coast.
Yaeyama Islands
The raised platform that overlooks Gunkan-iwa also offers views of the jagged coastline of Sanninu-dai.
Yaeyama Islands
Roughly in the centre of the village, this modest lookout tower has good views over the red-tiled roofs of the pancake-flat island.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On the southeast end of the island, this is a popular spot for snorkelling and kayaking (with a hair-raisingly steep access road).
Yaeyama Islands
At the eastern tip of the island, wild Yonaguni horses graze in the pastures leading out to the lighthouse at Agarizaki.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On the north side of Miyako-jima's southeastern cape, this long, shallow beach has a park featuring showers and toilets.
Yaeyama Islands
Aptly named, this striking offshore fin does bring to mind an imposing ship.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
The best snorkelling beach on Shimoji and Irabu, Nakanoshima Beach is protected by a high-walled bay on the west coast of Shimoji-jima. You'll greatly…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Head north to drive across Ikema-Ōhashi (池間大橋) to the little island of Ikema-jima. The shallow aquamarine water on either side of this 1.4km bridge is…
Naha City Traditional Arts & Crafts Center
Naha
Right on Kokusai-dōri, this gallery houses a notable collection of traditional Okinawan crafts by masters of the media. You can also try your hand at…
Yaeyama Islands
Founded in 1614, the Zen temple of Tōrin-ji, near the intersection of Shimin-kaikan-dōri and Rte 79, is home to the 18th-century guardian statues of Deva…
Ōsumi Islands
This nonprofit organisation has displays and information about turtles, mostly in Japanese. During nesting (June and July) and hatching (August) seasons,…
Yaeyama Islands
The unique home of a Ryūkyū kingdom official dates from 1819; walk north along Sanbashi-dōri until you see signs in English. The house is still an actual…
Yakushima Environmental & Cultural Village Center
Ōsumi Islands
In Miyanoura at the corner of the ferry-terminal road, this centre has exhibits about the island's natural environment and history, with limited English…
Yaeyama Islands
On the south coast of the island is the pleasant little village of Higawa, which has a wide, sandy crescent of beach. The water here is clear and shallow,…
Ōsumi Islands
This small, coarse-sand beach is located on the north coast of the island, about midway between Miyanoura and Nagata. It's a short walk from the Yahazu…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Hidden away in downtown Hirara, a district of Miyakojima city, Miyako-jinja is a recently reconstructed shrine that, over time, merged two disparate…
Yaeyama Islands
Adjacent to the temple Tōrin-ji is Gongen-dō, a small shrine rebuilt after being destroyed by a tsunami in 1771.
Yaeyama Islands
This shrine is dedicated to a 16th-century ruler of the Yaeyama Islands who was born on Taketomi-jima, and whose tomb lies behind the shrine.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On the north side of the island's southeast end, this popular beach is great for shallow-water snorkelling and has showers and toilets.
Yaeyama Islands
Kanpire-no-taki, a low-scale series of waterfalls, is the turnaround point for hikers who have travelled up the Urauchi-gawa.
Yaeyama Islands
A trek upriver through the damp Iriomote forest leads to the lovely Mariyudō-no-taki, a series of low waterfalls.
Yaeyama Islands
At the west of the village, this private museum houses a diverse collection of local folk artefacts.
Yaeyama Islands
This is the workshop where the island's woven minsā belts and other textiles are produced.
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