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How to get to and play at Fuki-togawa Tidal Flat! Ishigaki Island resident staff will give you a thorough explanation!
Hello everyone!
Ishigaki Island has a strong image of the ocean, but in fact, the rivers are just as popular. The rivers on the island are lush with mangroves, and many activities are offered. Popular rivers in Ishigaki Island are Fukidori River and Miyara River. The former, Fukidori River is smaller than Miyara River, but has popular power spots. There are tidal flats near the mouth of the river, where many creatures live and you can enjoy observing them.
This article introduces such Fuki-tsukigawa tidal flats.
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What is the Fukitsu River Tidal Flat?
Fukitsu River Tidal Flat is a tidal flat near the mouth of Fukitsu River that flows in the northern part of Ishigaki Island. Around the area, hirgitaceae plants, designated as a national natural treasure, grow in clusters. At high tide, the river is filled with water, but when the tide goes out, you can see the unusual roots of mangrove and mud flats. Tidal flats are also found in Nagura Bay, the largest bay in Ishigaki Island, but the tidal flats of Fukidogawa River are sandy and the surrounding water is clear. In addition to the hermit crabs and sea snails, the mud flats are very cute with flying gobies jumping around. You can also try SUP and canoeing on the river, so you can join the activities.
Directions to Fukiutsu River Tidal Flat
Fuki-togawa is located about 40 minutes by car from the city center, about 35 minutes by car from the remote island terminal, and about 20 minutes by car from the New Ishigaki Airport.
Access from city center
When accessing by car from the city center, drive north on Prefectural Route 87 through the Omoto Tunnel. After passing through the tunnel, turn right on Prefectural Route 79 toward Nosoko. To reach the seaside road, turn right at the "Ota" bus stop.
Access from Kabira area
To access by car from the Kabira area, take Prefectural Route 79 toward Maibara to Ibaruma. Then turn right at the "Ota" bus stop as you would from the city center.
More information about Fukiutsu River Tidal Flat
The Fukitsu River Tidal Flat is an area of tidal flat near the mouth of the Fukitsu River, where mangrove forests grow wild and provide a habitat for many species. The mudflats appear only at low tide, and crab holes are everywhere. At low tide, the characteristic roots of the mangroves are also exposed, and their unusual octopus-like shape reminds us that we are in a subtropical region. At first glance, the mangroves that grow naturally in the Fukidori River may appear to be the same, but in fact there are many different species.
Mangroves native to this river include
Yaeyama Hirugi is the most abundant native mangrove in the Yaeyama Islands. As it sucks up seawater from its roots, it accumulates salt in its teeth near the tips of its branches, and when it reaches its upper limit, the entire leaf itself falls off.
The color of the leaves can be used to determine if they contain salt. The leaves are originally green, but as they contain salt, they change color to yellow.
black-tailed godwit (species of sandpiper, Limosa limosa)
There is one major difference between the Japanese hirugi and the Yaeyama hirugi. It is in the shape of its roots.
While Yaeyama hirugi is shaped like an octopus foot on stilts, the roots of Ohirugi resemble a bent knee.
Because of this characteristic, it is called "knee-root.
Kandelia obovata (species of mangrove)
The mehirugi is a mangrove species that is paired with the mangrove Ojirugi, with Ojirugi being labeled "male" and mehirugi being labeled "female.
The mehirugi was given this name in comparison to the Nakaohirugi because it has a slender trunk and beautiful flowers that are more feminine than the Ohirugi.
grey mangrove (Avicennia marina)
The Hirugi damashi does not belong to the Hirugiaceae family, which includes Yaeyamahirugi, Ohirugi, and Mehirugi, but it can tolerate seawater, so we named it Hirugi damashi with "damashi," meaning closely related.
As its English name, pencil root, implies, it is characterized by its long, slender trees standing upright from the water's surface like a pencil.
The mudflats are full of holes and small dumpling-like objects. These dumplings are the remains of organic matter that the crabs filter out to feed. There are many species of crabs that inhabit these mudflats, but the most impressive crabs are the Yaeyamashiomaneki and the southern red-clawed crab. The Yaeyama lionfish is a species that inhabits some of the remote islands of the Yaeyama Archipelago. The male has a large right arm and waves it as if to invite the tide when the tide comes in, which is a characteristic of this crab. It is very agile in its movements and will quickly run away even if you chase after it.
The Southern Spotted Crab has a spherical body and is called the "army crab" because it acts in groups. However, they do not move as fast as the blue king crab, so they can be observed at a slower pace. At low tide, you can walk along the beach and explore the area, so it is recommended to visit at low tide.
How to play at Fukiutsu River Tidal Flat
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the rivers of Ishigaki Island are actively used for activities along with the ocean. One of the most popular is SUP/canoe cruising. Cruising surrounded by the largest mangrove jungle in Japan, you can feel the thrill of excitement just like in a movie. SUP, a fashionable activity that originated in Hawaii, is often done in the ocean, so even experienced SUPers may not have experienced river SUP.
You can enjoy river cruising activities, or at low tide, you can take your SUP down to the mud flats to observe the mud flats and trek to the waterfall.
The field is a place where you can enjoy both observing living creatures and experiencing activities, so spread your wings and play to your heart's content.
Address: Nosoko, Ishigaki Island, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access40 min. drive from downtown, 35 min. drive from the remote island terminal, 20 min. drive from Shin-Ishigaki Airport
Phone number: 0980-82-1535 (Ishigaki City Hall Tourism and Culture Division)
Fee: None
Parking: Available
Toilet: None
summary
We have introduced the Fukitsu River Tidal Flat. How was it?
The best time to visit the Fukidori River, which is home to a variety of creatures and where visitors can enjoy activity experiences, was at low tide.
The following is a list of recommendations for such Fuki-tsukigawa tidal flats.
A wide variety of organisms can be observed.
Mangrove community with a subtropical feel
・The river is clear due to sandy tidal flats.
interpoint (interword separation)
Please check the above and visit the Fukidori River tideland.
Thank you for reading to the end.
This article was written by.
