
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 Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
Head to the north side of the island in search of spectacular views! Visit beautiful rows of Fukugi trees, typical Okinawan scenery, and high points overlooking the ocean.
The start is in the sugarcane fields! You will go up and down repeatedly on your way to Tida Bridge.
After renting a bicycle, I immediately went to the sugarcane fields around the hotel. I have been to the main island many times, but this is my first time on an Okinawan remote island. I thought I had never seen a sugarcane field properly, and lo and behold, the whole area around the hotel is made of sugarcane fields.
I asked the people working there for permission to take photos. I also talked to them about various things.
I was told that they were working to bury the sparsely growing areas of the sugar cane that was planted around March. I was told that there are snakes in the areas where the sugar cane grows tall, which made me nervous... I was even given a piece of sugar cane here, and I continued my journey while munching on it (lol).
I was immediately introduced to the laid-back and friendly personality of the people of Kumejima.
The cycling trip starts from Eef Beach.
The surrounding area was a sugar cane field. Agriculture is the main industry on Kumejima, and sugar cane accounts for more than half, nearly 70%, of that industry. Therefore, you can see the idyllic scenery of vast sugar cane fields.
I found someone working in a sugarcane field! I asked for permission to take photos and asked him a few questions.
Thank you for working under the scorching sun! They are now planting more sugar cane to fill in the gaps between the ones planted in March. Apparently if you take a cutting from a sugar cane stem, it will take root. They skilfully peeled off the tough skin around it... and said, "Try eating it!"
It's lightly sweet. I bite into it with my front teeth, but the fibers are hard and it really strengthens my teeth.
After taking in the various scenery, we headed towards Hiyajo Banta from Tida Bridge, with our destination being Mifuga, on the opposite side of the hotel.
When I was cycling north from Punta Beach, many people stopped me. The reason was that the road had a lot of ups and downs. But there were no cars and I had an electric assist! If I ride slowly and leisurely, there's no problem.
On the road heading north, I saw this tree with lots of round leaves. It was a "Fukugi" tree. The leaves were lush and overlapping, forming an enclosure. I was told that the "Fukugi" tree and the "Casuarina" tree were planted as a windbreak.
The round leaves are also used in dyeing Kumejima Tsumugi.
This is "Churafukugi". It means beautiful Fukugi tree and it grows in the middle of the road. This tree is estimated to be 200 years old! This is a carefully preserved forest. The trees bloom during the rainy season. When they fall to the ground and get crushed, they give off a unique smell. When I went to Kumejima, I could smell this scent all the way from around Eef Beach to the Fukugi trees.
A peaceful country road. Leaving the sea, the road gradually enters the mountains.
"Tsumugi Bridge" and "Tida Bridge" are steep slopes that have been straightened with new roads. It's my first time to cycle across such large bridges! It feels like I'm heading towards the sky. As I go higher and higher, I can look forward to beautiful views.
...But then, when I looked back in the middle of the bridge, I saw the blue sea! The endless fields and the blue sea were amazing.
When we went back in the opposite direction along the same road, the ocean stretched out before us. It was too big to fit in the camera!
I found someone working in the rest area at the top of the bridge! There's a limit to nomad workers. I don't know if they're making much progress or not... "I have some time before my flight, so I'm working here." Thank you for your cooperation in taking photos!
Hiyajo Banta is a breathtaking scenic spot from which you can see all the way to Hate Beach.
An observation deck and a large parking lot. Finally, we arrived at Hiyajo Banta! This is also a rest area with a shop and toilets.
From the second floor of the observation deck, you can see the whole ocean! You can even see "Hatenohama Beach".
I was pretty exhausted from the journey so far, but I was told that it was all downhill up to the holy land of "Mifuga" ahead, so I decided to do my best!
Wherever you go, the sky is wide and nature is abundant. There is relatively little traffic on the roads heading north, so it was great to be able to ride at my own pace.
On the way, we stopped off at Akamine Pineapple Farm and tried the juice. It was delicious!
After repeatedly climbing up and down the hills, we arrived at Hiyajo Banta drenched in sweat. A shisa lion was there to greet us.
The view from the first floor is nice, but the view from the second floor is spectacular! You can see as far as Hate no Hama (the white sand beach). The boat in the foreground is a diving boat.
And in the foreground is a shrimp farm. Shrimp farming is popular on Kumejima. Healthy shrimp are raised using deep sea water pumped up from the depths of the ocean.
From "Hiyajo Banta" to "Mifuga", which is just a short walk away. It was so hot that I had to take a break... On the way, I stopped off at "Akamine Pineapple Garden". Kumejima has a lot of red soil that is acidic. It is suitable for growing pineapples.
Pineapples are said to be ready in the summer. But they're already this big. I didn't know pineapples grow like this.
I had them make juice from frozen pineapples while they were in season. It was only 300 yen! It was cheap. It was refreshing and delicious. It instantly made me sweat less.
After walking all the way downhill, we finally reached the Mifuga sign.
Then we descended again at a rapid pace. We descended from the mountain road to sea level. We kept the brakes on. The sea spread out before our eyes.
On the left is the ruins of Gushikawa Castle, and on the right is Mifuga. This castle is a perfect place to keep an eye out for enemies from the sea.
Once you pass the ruins of Gushikawa Castle, where stone walls still remain, Mifuga is just around the corner.
This is a sacred place that is said to bring good fortune in children. It is a place of worship. You can see the ocean between the strange rocks. Suddenly, there is a large crack in the rock near the coast, creating a magnificent view.
The sea around Mifuga is a deep blue. You can also watch the sunset.
I received a souvenir from someone I met at Hiyajo Banta. The fragrant miso-flavored cookies "Fukuya's Original Miso Cookies" are a specialty of Kumejima.
Shinri Beach and Mifuga Sunset.
The sunsets and glows seen from Okinawa are truly beautiful.
I came to the western beach to see the sun setting in the western sea from Kumejima.
The location was Shinri Beach. The storm was so powerful that it dyed the entire beach pink. However, there were no clouds that day, so the whole sky did not burn.
The days are long in Okinawa and the sun sets late, so you can enjoy the sunset even after having a lot of fun.
Also, Kumejima Airport is actually a hidden sunset spot. I was able to see a beautiful sunset while waiting at the airport to board the last RAC flight!
Have fun and finish off with a sunset at the airport.
One of the charms of Kumejima is that you can enjoy your trip to the very last moment.
Sunset from Shinri Beach on the west side of the island, near the airport. The beach was dyed red by the ever-changing evening scenery. There were no clouds that day, so the sky didn't burn red, but we were able to see the big sun until the very end.
Moving to the north side of the airport. This is a spot where you can watch the sun sink into the horizon. It was the time when we were waiting for the flight at Kumejima Airport. The sun was sinking right in front of us.
After all, there is more change when there are clouds.
The plane (boarding aircraft) arrived and the moon began to lighten. We were able to see a magnificent sunset show. The Kumejima Airport Observatory is open to the public free of charge.
Don't forget to fill your stomach at the airport (lol). "Kumejima Vegetable Soba" is full of vegetables that are carefully fried after ordering. It's also quite filling. Kumejima Soba is based on pork bones and bonito, and has a similar feel to champon.
Read the second part here
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.