Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
- The wellness journey begins at Mt. Otoha, where you can enjoy the forest and magnificent views
- Spend some time with nature at Villagers' Beach
- From the former castle settlement "Imadomari Fukugi Yashikirin" to the old climbing route "Hanta Road" to Nakijin Castle
- Seeking healing through the scents and colors of nature – Cosmetics brand "YUMEJIN" and dye studio "BOTANICA"
The wellness journey begins at Mt. Otoha, where you can enjoy the forest and magnificent views
Nakijin Village in Okinawa Prefecture is not only an attractive tourist destination, but also has a unique approach to pursuing physical and mental health and healing, with the region's abundant tourism resources and magnificent natural scenery as its backdrop.
This is "wellness tourism."
Wellness tourism is a form of travel that aims to promote mental and physical health through self-discovery and improving the quality of life through relaxation and activities at the travel destination. The tours offer valuable ways to spend time that go beyond sightseeing, such as activities in nature, experiences and learning that incorporate the history and culture of the region, interactions with local people, and encounters with local food.
This time, under the guidance of the Nakijin Village Tourism Association, we experienced some of Nakijin's best spots to refresh the mind and body.
When doing wellness tourism, the first place you should visit is the small mountain "Mt. Otoha," which is about 275 meters above sea level. It is an easily accessible spot near the border between Nakijin Village and Motobu Town, and is famous for its "Mt. Otoha Forest Park," which has playground equipment, as well as camp sites and bungalows.
There is an observation deck at the top, and I enjoyed a magnificent view. From here, I saw the whole of Nakijin Village, and the magnificent panorama surprised me. I could see the houses in Nakijin Village, the beautiful sea and lush forests, and because it was a clear day, I could see Ie Island and the crystal clear waters offshore surrounded by coral reefs in the distance, and even the Yanbaru forest in northern Okinawa, where Cape Hedo is located.
There are well-maintained walking trails, and you can fully experience the depths of nature through experiences such as trekking. Among them, the sight of several types of butterflies fluttering gracefully can be seen all year round except during the harsh winter. The sight of butterflies such as the White Banded Swallowtail, the Tsumamurasakimadara, and the Ishigake Butterfly spreading their beautiful wings and fluttering lightly has a soothing effect on those who see them.
Wellness tourism started at Mt. Otoha.
The open, spacious scenery gave us a sense of peace and relaxation, allowing us to get our wellness journey off to a good start to restore our mind and body.
A style of travel that takes advantage of Okinawa's unique natural environment to nurture the health of your mind and body in a different way than usual.
The richness of nature that you will encounter on this trip is memorable, bring you deep healing and awareness in your daily life. By taking a break from your busy daily life and gently resetting your body and mind, you can take the first step towards becoming a new you. This is definitely the place for that.
Mt. Otoha Forest Park
| address | ： | 1332 Jana, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0980-56-1250 |
| URL | ： | https://www.nakijinson.jp/spot.php?id=86&ct=5 |
Nakijin Village Tourism Association
The view from the Otohadake Forest Park Observatory. The photo shows Yagaji Island and Haneji Inland Sea in Nago City.
Mt. Otoha is a popular camping spot with bungalows lined up amongst the trees.
There is also a plaza and playground equipment, and it is a perfect location for stargazing at night.
Behind Kouri Island you can see the northernmost tip of Yanbaru.
The promenade is gentle and not as strenuous as you might think, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll.
A quiet walking path with plenty of shade.
A walking path where you can enjoy healthy plants while feeling the beauty of nature
Many lizards climb the trees
Mt. Otoha is a treasure trove of butterflies. White Banded Swallowtail, Shiro obi ageha all over the village
The vivid purple color of the Purple Butterfly, Tsumamura Sakimadara appears and disappears as it flaps its wings
A cracked-looking Ishikake butterfly
The blue-spotted snail commonly seen in the forests of Okinawa
Spend some time with nature at Villagers' Beach
Our next stop on our wellness tourism journey was Villagers' Beach, which can also be seen from Mt. Otoha.
This is a tranquil beach away from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots, with picturesque beauty, exceptional clarity and a resort-like feel.
Here we experienced "Project Manatee," which the Nakijin Village Tourism Association is a member of.
This program is a participatory clean-up activity that allows you to clean up the ocean while having fun. By entering the ocean, taking in the view from the beach, or walking barefoot on the sand, you can feel a connection to the earth through earthing, while carrying a yellow manatee bag and cleaning up the beach. If you apply to the tourist association, you can participate for just one coin, so it is an environmental conservation activity that is kind to the earth and can be participated in empty-handed.
You can see various tress such as monk trees on the beach, and you can feel the richness of nature. There are also shady areas, so you can spend a comfortable time even on hot days to read or chat.
The sound of the quiet waves will give you a refreshing feeling and nourish your soul.
Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, spending time on a peaceful beach is an important time to reset, freeing the mind and body and filling you with energy. It's a great way to take a moment to reflect on yourself in this relaxed atmosphere.
Sonmin no Hama-Villagers' Beach
| address | ： | Nakasone, Nakijin Village, Okinawa Prefecture |
|---|
Project Manatee
"Sonmin no Hama-Villagers' Beach" is a beach with a parking lot and shower rooms.
Bindweed blooming in clusters along the coastline
A forested area with Pandanus and Monpanoki trees.
The Monpanoki tree is so familiar to the locals that it is said that fishing equipment called "mikagan" was made from its trunk.
It's also fun to walk around and check out the butterflies you come across on your smartphone.
The yellow "Project Manatee" bag can be picked up at the tourist association for 500 yen.
Cleaning activities while feeling the breeze and scent of the sea
Cleaning activities to pick up marine debris such as microplastics for keeping the ocean clean.
There is also a gazebo where you can sit in the shade and enjoy the view of the ocean.
A beach where you can relax under the trees
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
