Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“Pension Southernmost”). It's a little more expensive than those in town, but it's the only one
on the beach.
The only other beach on Hateruma is located dead center in the middle of the southern
shore. There's no sign, just a little unpaved path leading south from the main circle-island
road. Don't worry, the island is so small you really can't miss it. It's called Pemuchi Beach
(
ペムチ浜
; Pemuchi-hama) and although its sand is not quite as fine as that of Nishihama,
it's very secluded and you'll probably have it all to yourself. Take note that there are warning
signs (in Japanese) about the offshore currents.
About 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) to the east, you'll come to Cape Takana (
高那崎
;
Takanazaki), which is on the southeast coast of the island. Here you'll find Hateruma's two
big “sights,” the Astronomical Observatory and the Southernmost Point of Japan Monument.
Looking out over the endless waters of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, for here
at this southern place the two bodies no longer have the Ryukyu Islands dividing them, is
a small observatory, the Hateruma Astronomical Observatory (
星空観測タワ ー
; Hoshizora
kansoku tawā), the southernmost in Japan. (Naturally, everything on Haterumajima is the
“southernmost in Japan.”) It is open every day and there is a small gift shop inside. More
interestingly, it is open every evening except Mondays and the planetarium gives a nightly
presentation on star gazing. Hateruma is a popular place with tourists because it is one of the
rare places in Japan where the Southern Cross constellation may be viewed. It's visible for a
few hours each evening from January to June.
About 1,230 feet (375 meters) southwest of the observatory, you'll see the Southernmost
Point of Japan Monument (
日本最南端の碑
; Nippon sai nantan no ishibumi, lit. “most south-
ern place in Japan”). As its name proudly states, it marks the most southerly place of the na-
tion of Japan—sort of. To get a little technical about it, the monument marks the southern-
most point of inhabited Japan. It is located here, at this place, on this island, at 24°02
ʹ
25
ʹ
North latitude; and 123°47
ʹ
16
ʹ
East longitude.
Japan's Southernmost Point Monument at Cape Takana marking the end of inhabited Japan.
