How to Get to Arakawa Falls, a Popular Tourist Spot on Ishigaki Island, and What to Do There! Our Ishigaki Island-based staff provide a comprehensive guide!

Hello everyone!
Ishigaki Island has plenty of places where you can enjoy nature, such as spots with breathtaking views, beaches where you can participate in various activities, and places to watch the sunset.
Although Ishigaki Island is rich in natural beauty, with many mountains and rivers, it has only one waterfall. Ishigaki Island’s only waterfall is Arakawa Falls. It boasts many waterfalls that are just as charming as those on Iriomote Island, which is known for its abundance of waterfalls.
Arakawa Falls and the surrounding area are famous as a destination for outdoor activities, so be sure to check it out.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the waterfalls of the Arakawa River.

 

 

 

‎

 

About Arakawa Falls

 

 

Arakawa Falls is the only waterfall on the island, located on Mount Omoto, the highest peak in Okinawa Prefecture. The waterfall flows in both upstream and downstream sections, and together they are known as Arakawa Falls.
On the way from the Maibara area—famous for its blue coral—to the Yamabara area, there’s a parking lot for visitors heading to Arakawa Falls. Walk down from the parking lot and through the trees, and you’ll see Arakawa Falls. The refreshing flow of water is incredibly invigorating, and in the summer, you can play in the pool at the base of the falls. Even if you don’t go in, you can still enjoy the mist rich in negative ions, so be sure to experience it with your whole body.

 

 

How to Get to Arakawa Falls

 

 

Arakawa Falls is located near Kabira Bay, Ishigaki Island’s top tourist attraction. If you head north from Kabira Bay, you’ll come to Crystal Beach. From this beach, continue about 1 km past ”Yaeyama Kaya Soba”—the closest restaurant—and you’ll find a parking lot and a monument dedicated to the Kanhi cherry blossoms on the right side of the road. From there, as mentioned earlier, you can walk down through the trees for about 3 minutes to reach the waterfall.

 

 

 

Detailed Information on Arakawa Falls

 

Arakawa Falls on Ishigaki Island is divided into upper and lower sections, and the crystal-clear stream is incredibly refreshing. Especially in the summer, the water is cold, and the feeling of it cooling your overheated body is simply the best. While the upper section of the waterfall has a drop of about 10 meters, the lower section is only about 3 to 4 meters, so the current isn’t particularly strong, allowing you to play safely in the pool at the base of the falls.

 

 

 

Along the path leading to the pool at the base of the waterfall, there’s a Tarzan rope tied to a tree. You can grab hold of it and swing in just like Tarzan in the movies. Once you try it, you’re sure to get hooked on that exhilarating feeling.
Be sure to give it a try while shouting “Ah—Ahh!”

 

 

 

The waterfall upstream is located just past the entrancetrekkingIt's located about 30 minutes away, and since there are some slippery spots, we recommend that people with mobility issues or those traveling with small children visit the waterfall further downstream.
Downstream, it’s also used for draining the water for marine activities. Near the entrance to the Arakawa Falls is a hugely popular tourist spot on Ishigaki Island, andsnorkelThere is a tourist attraction called the ”Blue Cave.”

 

 

Therefore,Blue CaveAfter participating in activities, we sometimes enjoy playing in the water at Arakawa Falls, which also helps rinse off the salt. This is included in our tours, so be sure to check it out.

 

 

 

On the other hand, the waterfall further upstream—which takes 30 minutes to reach on foot—also has plenty to offer. Since the area above the waterfall is home to a natural habitat of the Kanhi cherry tree, a designated Natural Monument, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom around February, making it a truly beautiful sight.
Although it’s a 30-minute hike upstream, it’s not particularly strenuous, so if you’re in good health, you should definitely give it a try.
Taking a dip after walking through the overgrown brush is incredibly refreshing, so be sure to give it a try.

 

 

How to Enjoy Arakawa Falls

 

 

There are six main ways to enjoy Arakawa Falls and the surrounding area, as listed below.

 

 

 

Among these, the most popular activities are (1) waterfall climbing and (2) canyoning. Although they may seem similar, there is a clear difference between them. Waterfall climbing involves ascending a stream, while canyoning involves descending a stream.
In the waterfall climbing experience, you’ll navigate the current and scale rocks as you make your way to the Arakawa Falls. In canyoning, you’ll slide down naturally formed slides and jump into the pools at the base of the falls.
When you arrive at your destination, Arakawa Falls, you can enjoy an incredibly refreshing experience—whether it’s splashing around in the pool at the base of the falls or grabbing the Tarzan rope and jumping in. There are plenty of other fun activities to try, so be sure to check them out.

 

 

 

summary

 

 

Here’s some information about Arakawa Falls. What did you think?
It was a somewhat unusual waterfall—the only one on Ishigaki Island—consisting of two parts: an upper and a lower section.
Here are some highlights of this unique waterfall in Arakawa:

 

 

Keep the points mentioned above in mind and be sure to visit Arakawa Falls.
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.

I want to experience the best activities in Ishigaki Island! and "I want to get local information about Ishigaki Island! We provide detailed information on recommended spots and activities on the island to those who want to "experience the best activities in Ishigaki Island! We aim to deliver unforgettable experiences for our customers by interacting with the local nature every day.

On Instagram, we share actual activities and beautiful Ishigaki Island scenery in real time!
(Instagram: ) @adventure_pipi)