Kuroshima-Hokei Coast-

Ishigaki Island Tourist Information

◆Ishigaki Island for sightseeingRental car required.Oh my god!!!
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.

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 popular!

Ishigaki Island Rides (Bike Rental & Bicycle Rental) Activities There are many other ways to get around in Ishigaki Island☆ Ishigaki Island Vehicle Activity Feature Ishigaki Island is dotted with attractive spots such as beautiful ocean, mountains, and observatories where you can overlook the magnificent nature. With such favorable conditions, how can you not go driving touring in Ishigaki Island [...]. (22 in total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

About Hokei Beach

Hokei Beach is located past the Kuroshima Research Institute, near a sign that says “Notch.”

Around this beach, you can see rocks that were formed by wave erosion (Notch · Mushroom Rock）。

Even today, you can see rocks shaped like inverted triangles with narrow bases.

It’s a very large rock, but the fact that a rock this size was eroded by the waves suggests just how strong the waves must have been.

It's also famous as a sunset spot, so if you're staying on Kuroshima, we recommend watching the sunset here.

Things to Do at Hokei Beach

At this beach, you can enjoy snorkeling at high tide.

Just be sure to check the times, since the area dries up at low tide.

Also, since Hokei Beach is less crowded than Nakamoto Beach and Miyazato Beach, it’s a great hidden gem for snorkeling.

Details on Hokei Beach

Hokei Beach is a beach located in the western part of Kuroshima that features a mushroom-shaped rock formation known as a "notch."

You’ll probably recognize it right away because of the “Notch” sign, but “Notch” refers to an inverted triangular rock formation that has been eroded by waves at its base, giving it a mushroom-like shape.

In the past, you could clearly see the rock shaped like a mushroom, but now it has broken off at the base.

The top part of the mushroom, which broke off very close to the base, is lying on the ground.

When the tide goes out, you can walk all the way to the spot with the notch.

If you get close enough, you can really appreciate its size.

There are not only mushroom-shaped rocks, but also cow-shaped ones.

From winter through spring, a type of seaweed called Hitoegusa (known as “Aa-sa” in Okinawa) grows naturally in the waters off Kuroshima.

Since there are so many of them scattered along the coast, and because elementary school students collect them as part of their studies, there are signs asking people not to pick them until the Spring Equinox.

This beach is located just a short distance down the unpaved road in front of the Kuroshima Research Institute, so be sure to take a tour of the institute while you're there.

In addition, since Hokei Beach is located on the west coast, it is also known as a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.

Compared to Miyazato Beach and Nakamoto Beach, there are fewer tourists here, so you can relax and enjoy the sunset at your own pace.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Hokei Beach

Guts Sea Rock

If you're heading to Negoshi Iwa from Hokei Beach, turn left after leaving Hokei Beach, and you'll find it on your left.

A rock towers over the rocky beach, where the water is crystal clear.

There are many unusually shaped plants in the area, including the banyan tree, which is also known as a houseplant.

There are plenty of highlights to see, such as a tire that washed ashore from somewhere and got stuck between the rocks, making it impossible to remove.

Kuroshima Research Institute

To get to the Kuroshima Research Institute from Hokei Beach, leave Hokei Beach and turn right.

. Turn left at the first Y-intersection, and you'll see the Kuroshima Research Institute straight ahead.

The Kuroshima Research Institute is a research institute dedicated to the marine life in the waters around Kuroshima.

The facility houses specimens of coral and seashells, as well as display panels. Since its research focuses primarily on sea turtles, it keeps the three species found in Japan: the green sea turtle, the loggerhead sea turtle, and the hawksbill sea turtle.

In addition to sea turtles, the facility also houses and displays other marine life from Kuroshima, so it has some aquarium-like features.

You can also see a variety of creatures, such as endangered coconut crabs, habu snakes, and sharks, found in the waters off Kuroshima.

Puzumari (Hibanomori, Sakishima Islands)

Puzumari (a watchtower in the Sakishima Islands) is one of a series of watchtowers built to monitor foreign ships; it offers an unobstructed view for spotting foreign vessels, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery from there.

Whenever a foreign ship was spotted, they would light signal fires to notify the Ryukyu Prefectural government office on Ishigaki Island.

There are several hibamori in the Yaeyama Islands and the Miyako Islands, and collectively, these are known as the Sakishima Islands Hibamori.

Details on Hokei Beach

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