Local Column
COLUMN

How to get to and play at Yarabudake, a sightseeing spot in Ishigaki Island! Ishigaki Island resident staff will give you a thorough explanation!
Hello everyone!
Ishigaki Island, the No. 1 resort island in Japan, is characterized by its clear emerald green ocean and white sand beaches that sparkle in the sunlight. Ishigaki Island, which has such a strong image of the ocean, is rich in nature, and recently, mountain and river activities have been thriving as much as the ocean. One of the mountains in Ishigaki Island is called Yarabudake. Since it is not a very high mountain, it is easy to climb and there is an unusual shaped rock called troll's tongue at the top of the mountain. Because of its easy accessibility, some locals as well as tourists climb the mountain as part of their daily routine. This article introduces Mt. Yarabudake, a famous sightseeing spot that is familiar to many people.
目次
What is Mt.
Yarabudake is a 216-meter-high mountain located on the Sakieda Peninsula in the western part of Ishigaki Island, and is familiar to islanders, with locals also frequenting the area.
There are two ways to climb Mt. Yarabe: from the trailhead or from the foot of the mountain. The former takes about 15 minutes to the summit and can be done as if hiking. However, the trailhead is a bit difficult to find, as it is located on a forest road next to Sakieda Elementary and Junior High School. There is a sign, but it is very small, so look carefully.
The trail up from the trailhead is short but has many slippery paths, so be sure to wear non-slip shoes and be vigilant at all times. The latter course takes about 45 minutes to reach the summit, so it is advisable to choose the course according to your own physical strength. Since there is no parking lot, it is safer to park in a well-lit area.
Directions to Mt.
Yarabudake is located about 30 minutes by car from the city center. Take Prefectural Road 79 toward Kabira and enter the Mikamisaki area. From there, proceed for about 1.5 km and you will see the gate to Sakieda Elementary and Junior High School. With the school in front of you, turn left onto a side road, and shortly thereafter turn right to reach the trailhead for Mt.
More information about Mt.
Mt. Yarabedake is a 217-meter-high mountain located in the middle of Sakieda area where the lighthouse of Mikamisaki, the westernmost point of Ishigaki Island, is located, and is lower than Mt. As mentioned above, there are two types of climbing courses: a long course that starts from the foot of the mountain, and an easy course that takes you to the trailhead by car. Once you drive up to the trailhead, you have climbed about 150 meters, and the remaining climbing distance is about 70 meters.
As Sakieda Elementary and Junior High Schools are located on the way to access the trailhead, students from these schools often climb here. Therefore, even beginners can climb without problems. The trail is packed with many activities for such a short course, such as wading through jungle-like vegetation and climbing by rope. Near the summit, the light shines through the jungle-covered forest and visibility is excellent. Just after the summit, a huge rock called Troll's Tongue protrudes. Troll Rock is so called because of its gigantic appearance like the tongue of the troll monster.
Visitors can climb on and under the troll's tongue. From the top of the troll's tongue, you can see nearby Sukuji Beach, Mikamisaki, and Nagura Bay, the largest bay on the island. The troll's tongue is very narrow and can only accommodate one person. If you make a mistake, you run the risk of falling off the cliff, so be sure to know how many people are allowed and take your turn climbing. Troll's Tongue is a hidden and spectacular spot, so please visit it once.
How to play Mt. Yarabatake
Trekking is the best way to enjoy Mt.trekkingTrekking is an activity that is becoming increasingly popular both in Japan and abroad in recent years. Trekking has many benefits for the body! The following five are the most well-known. Trekking is known to have the following five major benefits: (1) stamina, (2) weight loss, (3) relaxation, (4) regulation of the body's internal rhythm, and (5) anti-aging. Trekking is known to be very good for the body, but if you do it in an environment with clean air and lots of nature, such as Mt.
As mentioned above, there are two trekking courses on Mt. The easy course starts at the trailhead and the long course begins at the foot of the mountain. The former requires more care than a 10-minute hike. Some parts are too steep to climb without a rope, so extreme caution is required. The trail is almost like wading through a jungle because of the abundance of vegetation. After passing through the jungle-covered trail, the view opens up and the troll's tongue appears. You can pass under the huge rocks that jut out from the trail or climb to the top to admire the view.
Don't underestimate it just because it is a short course, but always be careful and be aware of your trekking experience. The latter long course is actually not well known even among locals. You will recognize it as the starting point because of the signboard on the way to Yarabudake Hyobyo mentioned above. However, it may be hidden in the bushes, so be sure to look for it while heading up so you don't miss the sign. Starting from the foot of the mountain, it takes about 40 minutes to reach the summit. The path is rarely used by locals, so it is not well maintained, so be careful of your footing. If it had rained the day before, it may be muddy and slippery, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
Address: Sakieda, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 30 minutes by car from downtown, 20 minutes by car from Kabira Bay, 40 minutes by car from New Ishigaki Airport
Parking: None
Toilet: None
Restaurant: None
summary
We introduced Mt. How was it?
Yarabudake, which is not so expensive and easy trekking in Ishigaki Island, has an unusual rock called troll's tongue that is a spectacular view spot. It is easy to climb, so you may visit there when you have a little time.
The following is a list of such recommendations for Mt.
Troll Tongue
Easy enough for local elementary and junior high school students to attend
The view from the top of the mountain is spectacular.
Exercise benefits of trekking
Please check the above and visit Mt. Yarabatake.
Thank you for reading to the end.