Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tatigami-iwa (“Standing God Rock”), like Gunkanwa, lies off Yonaguni's rugged eastern coast.
Both of Yonaguni's ports have small, protected beaches. At Sonai it's Nanta-hama (
ナン
タ浜
) and at Kubura it's Naama-hama (
ナーマ浜
). For a very pleasant little beach with a par-
tially rocky shoreline for snorkeling, try Dannu-hama (
ダンヌ浜
), which is on the northwest
coast of Yonaguni, between Kubura and the airport. Finally, although some older brochures
list Ubudumai-hama (
ウブドゥマイ浜
) on the island's northeastern coast near Cape Agari,
swimming there has been banned, the result of several drownings due to rip tides and dan-
gerous currents.
Yonaguni's Atlanis, the Monument
In the 1980s divers in the waters off Yonaguni's southeast shore discovered an enormous and unusual
phenomenon now called the Yonaguni “Monument“ or the “Underwater Ruins.“ It's a gigantic rock
mass of sandstone formed in a complex series of terraces and steps, with flat parallel faces, sharp
edges and mostly right angles. It's rectangular and bounded by near verical walls. It appears so reg-
ular that some scholars have posited that it's man-made, part of the lost coninent of Mu, or perhaps
built by aliens, although these are minority views. Overall, the formaion measures around 130 by
490 feet (40 by 150 meters) and about 90 feet (27 meters) tall. The top is 16 feet (5 meters) below
sea level. It's a site for experienced scuba divers. The area is rife with hammerhead sharks and is also
subject to excepionally strong currents.
