Yaeyama Palm Community in Yonehara, Ishigaki Island

Ishigaki Island Tourist Information

⬇︎Ishigaki Island isRental car requiredOh my god!!!
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Ishigaki Island Car Rental Ishigaki Island Tours offers easy comparison and reservation of rental car plans for Ishigaki Island! It takes about 3 hours to go around Ishigaki Island by car. If you want to visit all the sightseeing spots efficiently, you need to rent a car! There are plans that include free pick-up from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, car navigation system, no need to return a full tank of gas, and even child seats. We also introduce other means of transportation other than rental cars! (29 total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

⬇︎Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also rapidly gaining popularity☆

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What is Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara?

Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara, which is designated as a natural monument, is a colony of "Yaeyama Palm" that grows naturally only in Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands in the world.

Some of the trees are large yaeyama palms reaching 15 to 20 meters in height and 30 cm in diameter at breast height.

The close relatives of the Yaeyama palm are not distributed in China or the Philippines, but are geographically distant around New Guinea.

In addition to the Yaeyama palm, there are various other subtropical plants that grow wild, so please observe them.

Directions to Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara

Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara is located about 15 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, 20 minutes by regular sightseeing bus, 50 minutes from the bus terminal, and 35 minutes from the city center.

If you head north on Prefectural Route 79, you will see signs along the way, so follow the directions and you will arrive at the destination.

There is a free parking lot that can accommodate about 15 cars, so you can easily access the site by car!

How to play in Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara

In the Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara, it is recommended to rent a car, take a cab, or take a bus for a stroll.

It can be used as a short driving course as it takes about 20 minutes to go around for a week.

They sell very good sugar cane juice at the entrance, so be sure to stop by and try some!

In addition, we sometimes use the Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara as one of the spots for our night tours, such as when the coconut crabs are out.

Detail of Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara

Yaeyama palm is a large palm tree up to 25 meters tall that grows naturally only on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands belonging to the Yaeyama Islands.

The stems of the Yaeyama palm are unbranched and the petioles are characteristically short and glossy.

The Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara is the largest colony in Japan, so the dynamic landscape is impressive.

It is protected and can be admired, but be aware that you should never step on or damage it.

Satake Yaeyama Palm Memorial Museum

The Satake Yaeyama Palm Memorial Museum is a memorial museum that exhibits the research on palm plants and the ecology of the plants by Satake Satoshi, who discovered and named the Yaeyama palm, and is located near the Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara.

There is a "World Palm Zone" where 105 species of palms from all over the world, not only Yaeyama palms, are collected, and visitors can learn what kind of palms are distributed in which countries and regions based on a world map.

Recommended sightseeing spots near Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara

Kabira Park

Kabira Bay is a representative scenic spot of Ishigaki Island located west of the Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara.

The bay is home to many coral reefs and tropical fish, which can be observed underwater while touring around Kabira Bay by glass boat.

There are many facilities such as a promenade and observatory, and since it is the No. 1 tourist attraction, there are also souvenir shops, restaurants, and inns, so take a leisurely stroll and feel the changes in the sea of Kabira Bay!

Yonehara Beach

Yonehara Beach is located on the southern coast toward the north from Yonehara Yaeyama palm colony, and is one of the best beaches on Ishikawa Island with a large number of coral and tropical fish.

The beach is shallow but teeming with life, so snorkeling is safe and enjoyable.

The reef dries out when the tide goes out, so be sure to enjoy activities at high tide!

Arakawa Falls

Arakawa Falls is the only waterfall on the island that flows into Omotodake, the highest peak in Okinawa Prefecture, west of the Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara.

There are two Arakawa Falls, one upstream and one downstream, and together they are called Arakawa Falls.

The area is also home to the earliest blooming cherry tree in Japan, the scarlet cherry, which is in full bloom from February to March.

Please enjoy viewing the scarlet cherry blossoms while feeling the negative ions throughout your body!

Detail of Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara

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