Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
offshore, west, of the end of the cape you just came around. After all that, it must be said that
it's not much.
AKABANARESHIMA
(
赤離島
; Aka-banaréshima; also Aka-ritō). This islet, whose name
means “Isolated Red Island,” is a fairly good-sized rock, mostly covered with vegetation. It's
about 820 feet (250 meters) offshore to the north from the end of a small cape on the central
northern coast of Iriomote. It's actually a couple of rocks but there is one large one that stands
out from its neighbors. It's roughly 500 feet (150 meters) in diameter and has been measured
as 1/10th of one square kilometer in area. If you really just have to see it more closely, there is
a trail from the road (Route 215) out to the shore. You'll have to back up about three-quarters
of a mile (1 kilometer) to where you came around the cape previously.
From this pleasant viewpoint on the bay we'll continue about another 4 miles (6 kilomet-
ers) west and north, eventually crossing a long bridge, until we reach Funaura and its small
port. It's a pretty drive as this section of the Kaichū dōro follows the shoreline all the way.
Funaura used to be the northwestern ferry port from Ishigaki, but it was always troublesome.
Essentially, the port's mouth is too narrow and the bay too shallow. When the seas are rough,
often in winter, there is not enough room for larger ships to safely maneuver. It was aban-
doned by the commercial ferry services after the new larger port opened in Uehara several
years ago.
There are five
minshuku
in Funaura, but other than that there's not a lot going on.
However, it is the jumping-off point for excursions to Pinaisara Falls (
ピナイサーラの滝
;
Pinaisā-ra no taki). The falls are only a few miles upstream on the Hinai River (
ヒナイ川
;
Hinai-gawa), which empties into Funaura Bay.
Pinaisara Falls have a height of 180 feet (55 meters) and are the tallest in all of Okinawa
Prefecture. In Iriomote dialect,
pinai
means “beard” and
sa-ra
means “waterfall.” The idea is
that the waterfall looks like the long, white beard of an old man from a distance. Since there
are no roads to the falls, the only way to reach them is either a rather arduous hike or a kayak
trip and then a short hike. Either way, it can be done in about a half a day. It's a very popu-
lar excursion and most of the local hotels organize the trips. For an excellent naturalist guide
and kayaker, contact Naoya Ojima, who speaks English (090-2497-0463 or
www.iriomote-os-
them from below.
