Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
time it was discovered, it's never been looted by souvenir collectors. It's been preserved as it
was found.
For real spelunkers there is a second cave on Minami Daitō, Chiteiko Cave (
地底湖洞
;
Chitei mizūmi hora). It's located in the southeast of the island, just below the airport. It's
open by appointment only and is undeveloped. You'll need rubber boots, a hard hat and lan-
terns, but these will be supplied by the cave operator. Scuba diving is also possible on Min-
ami. There is a dive shop in town, Borodino Dive. Check with your hotel for caving or diving
expeditions. Everyone knows everyone on Minami. The dive shop can also arrange fishing
trips.
For a swim, not a dive, there's a group of saltwater pools along the island's southwest
shore. Called Shioyakaigan (
塩屋海岸
; Shioya-kaigan), it's a natural shelf extending from
the mainland. Depending on the surf, the Shioya Pools (
塩屋プール
; Shioya pūru) can be a
peaceful, relaxing dip or a torrential, dangerous and foolhardy place to bathe. There are sim-
ilar pools, though not as dramatic, at Kaigunbō (
海軍棒プール
; Kaigunbō pūru) on Minami's
southeastern coast.
In the south central part of the island, midway between these two oceanic swimming
pools, is the Hinomaruyama Tenbodai (
日の丸山展望台
; Hino maru yama Tenbo dai), a
small observatory. From this little point, one of the highest spots on Minami Daitō, you can
see about 70 percent of the whole island. A bit further north you'll find the Minami golf
course in the central part of the island. Rental equipment is available.
At the center top north of the island you'll come to the last attraction we'll mention, the
Baribariiwa (
バリバリ岩
; Bari bari iwa). It's a large coral stone formation that has somehow,
geologically, split in half. Whether from an earthquake or a shift in the earth on the rising
of the seas—the lifting of this island above sea level—it's impossible to say, but what stands
today is a several hundred meter-long narrow canyon. Both sides are sheer coral rock. It ter-
minates with an above ground cave that leads down to the Pacific Ocean. The pathway down
through the Baribariiwa (“Crunchy Rock”) is not for the claustrophobic.
