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Car/Scooter/Bicycle Rental Companies:
For those interested in a taxi tour of the island, Yonaguni Koutsu offers taxi tours starting from about 13,000 yen to 15,000 yen. These tours will take you to all of the main sightseeing parts of the island. It makes more sense to have a rental car because you will most likely want to make random stops to take pictures and/or explore various sights that you may see.
Most of the places to stay are located in the town of Sonai. There are also places to stay in the towns of Kubura and Higawa. Sonai is located in the North Coast, Kubura is located in the West Coast, and Higawa is located in the South Coast.
Sightseeing on Yonaguni Island
Driving on the main road of the island will make it easy to many of the amazing sightseeing spots that Yonaguni has to offer. The island has numerous cliffs, beaches, rock formations, and interesting fauna. Located near Kubura is Japan's Westernmost Point. It is marked by a large stone and is right near the Cape of Irizaki. As you drive, you will have the chance to see many of Yonaguni's mysterious rock formations. For each formation, there is a story that has been passed down during the generations. One of the most famous rock formations is called Tatigamiiwa which means "standing god rock". This is the site of worship for Yonaguni's Indigenous Religion and is close to the famous underwater ruins. Explorers have found writing near this rock which some say may even be phonecian writing. There are numerous beaches on Yonaguni. Some are rocky and some are flat due to protection by the coral reefs. Hikawa Beach is excellent for swimming and it is the largest beach on Yonaguni. Nanta Beach near Sonai Town is easily accessible and is great for a day of relaxing and tanning. Yonaguni is also famous for the Yonaguni Horse. The Yonaguni horse has evolved into a very small breed. They are only about 3.5 feet tall. All over the island, you will see horses running wild. In total, there are about 108 wild horses that have free-reign on the island. You will see the horses and you will also see their poop! There is a horse center where you can also pet and ride these gentle animals. Yonaguni is also home to the largest moth in the world, the Atlas Moth and an extremely poisonous seashell known as the Anbonia. In addition to the Yonaguni Horse, you can also see the Yonaguni Atlas Moth. This is currently the world's largest moth.
Yonaguni Island was used during the filming of the popular television drama "Doctor Koto". The television drama was broadcasted in 2003 and the open set used is still found on Yonaguni. The open set can be found directly next to Higawa Beach. You should also make a stop at the Kubura Fish Dock to see the morning auction action. The daily fish auction starts at 8:30am. A stop at this morning fish auction will give you a glimpse into what kind of fish is caught in the sea next to Yonaguni. Yonaguni is famous for its excellent deep sea fishing and is host to the yearly All-Japan Billfish Tournament in July. Anglers from all over the world gather in Yonaguni for three days of fishing, relaxing, and entertainment.
The main attraction for Yonaguni is it's spectacular diving. It is one of the best places in Japan to see hammerhead sharks as well as the site of the underwater ruins. The hammerhead sharks and the underwater ruins are all accessible by using a diving service. Sharks can be best seen from January through to February. The underwater ruins are thought by many to be the proof of an ancient advanced civilization. Worlds like "Atlantis", "Continent of Mu", "Lemuria" have all come to the table when discussing these ruins. Getting there might be the hardest part of seeing the ruins. The ruins are not accessible when there is bad weather because it will cause strong currents as well as strong waves. For a day trip to the ruins, it will usually cost about 12,000 yen. Dives to the ruins should only be done by experienced divers. The dive is very difficult due to the rough seas. One additional perk to Yonaguni diving is that it is the only place in Japan where one can see the giant whale shark. Although sightings are very rare, there is a chance of seeing one. Diving Companies on Yonaguni
Most visitors to the island will eat their meals at their hotel or inn. There are a few restaurants in the towns but, the numbers are small. Within Sonai Town, walking through the downtown area will allow you see which establishments are open. If in Kubura, there is only one restaurant in town. It is called Shokujidokoro Hiko. It is open from 9am to 10pm and is closed on Tuesdays. Want to know more about Yonaguni? Here are some links... Wikitravel
- "Yonaguni" |
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