About jungle trekking in Ishigaki Island! Ishigaki Island resident staff will give you a thorough explanation!

Hello everyone!
Did you know that there is jungle trekking on Ishigaki Island?
It is the No. 1 resort area in Japan belonging to the Yaeyama Islands, the southernmost island in Japan. Because of its southernmost location, it has a subtropical climate not found on the mainland.

 

Therefore, the area is lush and green from the unique climate, and the natural jungle is abundant with living creatures.
The variety of flora and fauna in such a jungle makes it possible to experience a variety of activities.
This article introduces the jungle of Ishigaki Island.

 

 

 

Characteristics of Jungle Trekking in Ishigaki Island

 

Ishigaki Island has mangroves growing wild due to the unique subtropical climate, and thus jungles cover most of the island. So it is a tropical resort area full of the charm of subtropical virgin forest. Ishigaki Island is an island covered with jungle and there are many tour activities for trekking and exploring.

Enjoy hiking up the mountain through the vegetation and observing the flora and fauna.trekkingThere are also a variety of river activities, such as SUP and canoeing, which take place on the river surrounded by jungle or in the jungle. The best part is the jungle night expedition held at night! Here you can see various nocturnal creatures that you cannot see in the mainland. Please explore the jungle of Ishigaki Island with its high biodiversity.

 

 

Why Jungle Trekking in Ishigaki Island?

 

As mentioned above, Ishigaki Island is home to many creatures in its untouched and untouched jungles.
Waterfalls created by nature can be seen throughout the jungle, which is designated as a national park. Among the plants that make up the jungle are the natural treasure Asahina marble wisteria and the saxifrage, a rare tree with plank-shaped roots called a "plank root.

 

 

In terms of animals, you can observe the unique creatures of Ishigaki Island, such as the natural monument crested serpent eagle in flight.
The tour includes commentary by a guide who is well versed in the flora and fauna of Ishigaki Island, so you can enjoy the jungle exploration more deeply.

 

5 jungle trekking spots in Ishigaki Island

 

Since the jungle covers most of Ishigaki Island, spots are scattered in various places.
Check out the many points where you can enjoy the jungle, such as rivers and mountain flats!

 

Jungle Trekking in Ishigaki Island (1) Fukidori River

 

The first jungle shoe spot I would like to introduce is the "Fuki-dori River. The Fukidori River is rich in mangroves, which are a national natural monument. Visitors can explore the mangroves from the mouth of the river to the upper reaches by canoe or SUP.

 

 

Downstream and midstream due to differences in salinity. You can also see different mangroves growing in the lower, middle, and upper reaches of the river due to the difference in salinity. Cruising among the mangroves is an exciting experience like something you might see in a movie. The tidal flats are also home to a variety of creatures, such as the Blue-footed booby and the Goby, which gives you a sense of the high biodiversity of the area.

 

 

Surrounded by mangroves, it is popular even in the winter season because you can enjoy activities without much influence even in winter when the north wind is strong. If you want to enjoy Ishigaki Island mangrove with your eyes and body, Fuki-togawa River is the place to be.

 

 

 

Ishigakijima Jungle Trekking (2) Nosoko-dake

 

 

The next spot we will introduce is "Nosodake". Nosodake is a 282-meter-high mountain located in the northern part of Ishigaki Island, and is one of the most popular activity fields due to the spectacular view from the top of the mountain and easy trekking. There are two main courses for trekking, the easy course and the hard course. The hard course is a course to climb up on foot from the foot of the Yamanote line and it takes about 45 minutes to the top, so you can closely observe the creatures and plants living in the Ishigaki Island jungle along the way.

 

The easy course takes you to the 8th station by car, and from there you will trek for about 10 minutes! The summit offers an unobstructed 360-degree panoramic view. The air at the top of the mountain is clean, and the view is spectacular, making this a highly recommended unexplored area!If you are confident in your physical strength, please try the hard course to experience the Ishigaki Island jungle and hope to see the view from the top of the mountain.

 

 

 

 

Ishigakijima Jungle Trekking ③Omotodake

 

 

The next spot we will introduce is "Omotodake.
Omotodake is the highest mountain in Okinawa Prefecture at 525.5 meters above sea level. Although it is the highest peak, it is not that high compared to mountains on the mainland, and is considered a trekking mountain like Mt.
Omotodake is also written in Chinese characters as "Omotodake," meaning "the great main mountain of the island," and is a place of worship for the local people.
You can also see the Ryukyu pigeon and crested serpent eagle, both of which are national natural treasures.

 

 

 

Jungle Trekking in Ishigaki Island (4) Mt.

 

 

Mt. Yarabe is 216.5 m above sea level, which is not so high compared to Mt.
You can drive to the trailhead at an elevation of 150 meters. The rest of the trail takes only about 10 minutes to reach the summit, so it can be done in a hiking mood. Students from the nearby Sakieda Elementary and Junior High Schools also climb the mountain, and even beginners can easily climb the mountain.At the top of Mt. Yarabe, there is a rock called Troll's Tongue. From there, you can see the whole view of Ishigaki Island, which is very beautiful.

 

 

 

Ishigaki Island Jungle Trekking (5) Banna Hill

 

 

The last spot we would like to introduce is Banna Hill. Banna Hill is a small hill located about 15 minutes by car from the city center, where the prefectural forest park with a vast area is located. Located in the Banna area, Mt. Banna is a 217-meter-high mountain with a very good view. Because of its location, many tourists and locals frequent the area.There are observatories at various locations where visitors can look out over the emerald green sea and observe birds such as crested serpent eagles. It is also a recommended spot to view the star-filled sky at night and enjoy the contrast between the light of the stars and the artificial light of the urban area at the same time. The park is also popular among visitors with children, who can enjoy athletic activities in the leisure facilities and plaza.
We invite you to visit Banna Hill, a natural beauty with excellent accessibility.

 

 

 

Recommended Jungle Trekking Tours

 

Ishigaki Island is rich in nature. In addition to the standard marine activities, there are various activities you can enjoy in the jungle. We will introduce the trekking tour where you can enjoy the jungle.

 

Jungle Trekking Tours in Ishigaki Island (1) Fuki-togawa Canoeing & Trekking Tour

 

 

The first tour I would like to introduce is "Fuki-dori River Canoeing & Trekking". This activity is based on the Fuki-dori River, which I mentioned above. The starting point of the Fukidori River is the mouth of the river at the sea, and from there you will cruise upstream in a canoe. You will be able to see the changes in the vegetation that grows in the sea, brackish water, and fresh water areas due to the fluctuations in salinity. You will be able to see a variety of species, including the most commonly seen Yaeyama hirugi (Dipterocarpaceae), Ohirugi (Dipterocarpaceae), and Mehirugi (Dipterocarpaceae).

 

Because both the sea and the river are very clear.canoeThe underwater environment can be observed even from the top of a boat. You can also see the tidal flats where the blue-spotted mudskippers and goby are resting.After cruising while enjoying the diverse biota, we will trek to the Enkou Falls.

At the far end of the upper reaches of the Fukitsu River is Yabiku Falls, known as the waterfall of matchmaking. It is popular as a power spot for romance and attracts many fans. On the way to the waterfall, you can see many creatures unique to the subtropical zone, so you can fully enjoy the trekking.

 

 

Ishigakijima Jungle Trekking Tour②Nosodake Trekking

 

 

Nosodake trekking is another recommended jungle trekking tour in Ishigaki Island.
Nosodake is not so high mountain, 284m above sea level, and the view from the top is a beautiful spot where you can overlook the sea, mountains, and sky of Ishigaki Island. It is the No.1 scenic spot with such a beautiful view that it is selected as one of the 100 best mountains in Shimayama.
After climbing through the vegetation of the subtropical jungle, you will enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view with nothing to obstruct your view.

 

Nosoko-dake is also the setting of the legend of Ma-pei. During the Ryukyu period, the "Road Cutting Law" was enforced to forcibly move people from one place to another.
The woman who was the subject of the program, Marpey, had a man, Kanimui, with whom she was dating.

 

Maape was saddened by the separation from Kanimui. He climbed Mt. Nosoko in order to see Kuroshima Island, where Kanimui lived. However, she was unable to see Mt. Omotodake, the highest peak in the prefecture, which stood in the direction of Kuroshima. Legend has it that Ma-Pei was so saddened that she became a stone in the form of a prayer.

 

At first glance, it seems to be a tragic story, but it has become known as a power spot for love due to Marpe's single-mindedness. Why don't you visit the No. 1 scenic spot in Ishigaki Island where the power of love overflows?

 

 

 

At the end.

 

We introduced the jungle of Ishigaki Island. How was it?
This may have come as a surprise to those who have a strong image of Ishigaki Island as a blue sea. The subtropical climate is the reason for such rich jungle.

 

Such a jungle can be experienced in various fields such as mountains and rivers, so you may enjoy activities in various fields. Please consider it.
Thank you for reading to the end.

 

 

 

This article was written by.

Hello! I'm Niwa-chan, your source for all things Ishigaki Island. I have loved to be in touch with nature since I was a child, and I am especially fascinated by the rich natural environment of Okinawa. Currently based in Ishigaki Island, I provide information on how to enjoy activities such as snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking, as well as the hidden charms of the island.

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