How to get to and play at Omotodake, a sightseeing spot in Ishigaki Island! Ishigaki Island resident staff will give you a thorough explanation!

Hello everyone! Do you like mountains?
Ishigaki Island is popular for its tropical beaches and clear waters, but in fact, mountain-based activities are also very popular.
On Ishigaki Island, there is a mountain called "Omotodake" which is the highest mountain in Okinawa Prefecture. Even though it is the highest peak, it is not as high as me, so it is often used as a target for activities.
This article introduces such an omotodake.

 

 

 

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What is Omotodake?

 

 

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, Mt. Omotodake is the highest mountain in all of Okinawa Prefecture at 525.5 meters above sea level, and is so beloved by the local people that it is an object of worship.
Even though it is the highest peak, it is not as high as other mountains on the mainland. For this reason, it is often used as a trekking course, attracting many tourists as well as locals.
Many plants and animals unique to the subtropical zone can be observed here, such as the "kestrel" and the "crested serpent eagle," which are designated as national natural monuments.

 

 

 

Directions to Omotodake

 

 

Omotodake is an easily accessible mountain located about 20 minutes drive from Shin-Ishigaki Airport and about 30 minutes drive from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal. It can be accessed from Ishigakijima Airport or by driving north on Prefectural Route 87 or 209.

Going north from the airport, you will find the entrance to Mt. Omotodake next to the Maesato Dam. A sign for Maesato Dam will appear along the road, so follow this sign first. There is a parking lot ahead, so use the parking lot to visit.

 

 

More information about Omotodake

 

 

As mentioned above, Mt. Omotodake is the highest mountain in Okinawa Prefecture. However, its elevation is only "525.5 m", which may explain why it is used as a target for activities, considering that Mt. Takao, a famous and easy mountain climbing destination in Tokyo, is 599 m above sea level.
Although it is not a very high mountain, it has a great view of Ishigaki Island because of its outstandingly high elevation compared to the surrounding areas.

 

 

Visitors to Mt. Omotodake are also privileged to feel as if they have stepped into an unexplored region, with its subtropical vegetation and atmospheric waterfalls.
As mentioned above, the trailhead for Mt. Omotodake can be reached by heading north from the airport, making access easy and straightforward. On the way up the mountain, you may encounter a large hego tree, insects, and even a protected species such as the semalnual box turtle and crested serpent eagle.

 

 

Starting from the trailhead, you will see Arakawa Falls, the only waterfall in Ishigaki Island, at an elevation of about 100 meters. This waterfall is divided into two parts, upstream and downstream, and upstream, winter cherry blossoms, "Kanhizakura" (scarlet cherry blossoms), are in full bloom. You may dare to visit around February when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

 

 

While climbing the mountain, there are a few forested areas, but they are basically overgrown with trees and do not offer a full view of the landscape.
The summit offers a beautiful view. The summit is also overgrown with vegetation, so it does not offer a 360-degree panoramic view like Nosoko-dake, but there is a large antenna tower from which you can see the entire northern landscape.
Enjoy the spectacular view from the highest mountain in Okinawa Prefecture from where you can look down on the surrounding area.

 

 

Omotodake playground

 

 

Trekking is the main type of play that takes place in the mountains, including Mt. Trekking is a word that many people may have never heard of before.trekkingis a term generally used to refer to mountain climbing.

 

 

 

 

In fact, trekking has many benefits for the body! The following five are the most well-known. (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 cleaner air and more nature, the above benefits are doubled.

 

 

Mt. Omotodake is designated as a national park and is a mountain where untouched nature remains. During the trekking, you can observe unique subtropical flora and fauna that you cannot see on the mainland, so unlike ordinary mountain climbing, you can enjoy the experience without feeling tired.

 

 

 

Omotodake is so beautiful that it is listed in the New 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, so you will definitely be healed by all the beautiful things you will see while trekking. After a good sweat, you will be impressed by the spectacular view from the highest mountain in the prefecture.

 

 

 

 

 

summary

 

 

We introduced Mt. How was it?
Omotodake is the highest mountain in Okinawa Prefecture and was a beautiful and unexplored place with the only waterfall on Ishigaki Island.
Such recommendations for Mt. Omotodake are as follows.

 

 

Please visit Omotodake with the above points in mind.
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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