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Aragusuku Island, also known as "Panari Island
Have you ever heard of Shinshiro Island?
The correct reading is "Aragusujima," not "Shinjoujima."
Officially, however, there is no island called Aragusuku Island anywhere.
The name "Aragusuku Island" is a generic name for two adjacent islands, "Kamiji Island" and "Shimoji Island.
Furthermore, this Aragusuku Island is also known as "Panari Island.
In fact, Aragusuku Island is known as a mysterious island with many mysteries.
There are a number of popular tourist destinations on the remote islands of Okinawa Prefecture, but Aragusuku Island is unique among them.
So we would like to introduce you to the mysterious and fascinating Shinshiro Island.
Aragusuku Island consisting of two islands
Aragusuku Island, consisting of two islands, Kamiji Island and Shimoji Island, is located more than 400 km further southwest of the main island of Okinawa, where Naha City is located.
It belongs to the Yaeyama Islands, the same as Ishigaki Island, a popular tourist destination, and Iriomote Island, known for its magnificent nature, and has a subtropical maritime climate, which makes it a very mild environment.
Panari Island means "remote island" in the local language.
Let us now look at the characteristics of Kamijijima and Shimojijima.
Landing is possible on tours organized by islanders Kamijishima
Kamiji Island, located on the northern side of the two islands, is inhabited, but many of the islanders have moved to nearby Ishigaki Island.
The island was once home to many people, but today there are less than 10 permanent residents.
Kamiji Island welcomes tourists, but unlike the more developed resort islands, it does not want them to act disorderly and destroy the island.
There are a number of places on the island that are forbidden to enter as sanctuaries, and tourists are generally asked to avoid unauthorized entry into the villages that are residential areas.
Since the land is protected by such a closed environment, it is basically necessary to join a tour organized by the islanders in order to visit the island.
Although it may seem like a high hurdle to come to the island, the island is filled with an atmosphere of tranquility that has been preserved through ancient traditions and the efforts of the islanders.
As you walk around the island, led by a guide, the quiet villages and sights everywhere are filled with a mystique that is difficult to experience in modern society.
Visitors will also be able to feel the remnants of the former Ryukyu Kingdom by touring historical sites such as the high plateau called Kuinupana and the wolf smoke platform called Takanik.
Almost impossible to enter the island! Unexplored Shimojishima Island
The southern of the two islands, Shimoji Island, the other island, is truly an unexplored region left unexplored in modern times.
Shimoji Island has only one registered resident.
The entire island is a ranch, and although its caretaker stays there, he does not live there permanently, so the island is practically uninhabited.
Like Kamiji Island, several hundred people used to live there in its heyday, but as neighboring Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands developed, the population flowed out.
As a result, the island became uninhabited after 1963.
Currently, there are no settlements on the island, and even if you take a regular tour to Aragusuku Island, you will not be able to land on this island.
If you want to visit Shimojishima, you will need to join a tour that focuses on landing on Shimojishima, and these tours are not always available.
If you are lucky enough to take a tour, you will be able to witness the sights and sounds of this magical island, dotted with traces of former human habitation.
Between the two islands, Kamijishima-Shimojijima Strait
Mystique and historical sites are not the only attractions of Aragusuku Island.
As the name suggests, the two islands are separated by a strait of approximately 420 meters.
The beautiful coral reefs that grow in this strait are an indescribable sight to behold, and the sight of so many coral reefs in the uniquely blue waters of Okinawa is a sight to behold.
The strait was once inhabited by dugongs, which were mistaken for mermaids, according to legend.
As if to prove it, a shrine called Mermaid Shrine exists on Aragusuku Island.
However, keep in mind that the mermaid shrine is a sacred place and off-island visitors are not allowed to enter, so when visiting the island, never step inside.
Although dugongs are now believed to be gone, there are reports that they were spotted in nearby waters in 2010.
If you are very lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of a dugong.
In addition, the waters surrounding Aragusuku Island, not just the straits, are extremely clear, and many tours that visit the island are combined with snorkeling and other activities.
When visiting Aragusuku Island, one should pay close attention to the surrounding sea as well as the island's culture.
How to get to Aragusuku Island (Panari Island)
We hope you have been inspired to visit Aragusuku Island, a place filled with mystery and nature.
However, Aragusuku Island cannot be reached by normal means of transportation.
No high-speed ferry service.
The Yaeyama Islands are dotted with a number of remote islands that can be visited for sightseeing, such as Iriomote Island and Hatoma Island, which are basically reached by ferry from Ishigaki Island, the center of the islands.
However, there is no high-speed ferry service from Ishigaki Island to Aragusuku Island.
Participation in the tour is mandatory!
So what should you do if you want to visit Aragusuku Island?
To visit Aragusuku Island, you need to join Aragusuku Island sightseeing tours that leave from Ishigaki or Iriomote Island.
If you join a tour, the tour company will arrange for you to reach Aragusuku Island on a boat that does not normally leave the island.
Many tours are also offered under the name of Panari Island, so it is a good idea to do your research and compare the plans of different companies to make sure you don't miss anything.
Aragusuku Island, truly an island of God
As Aragusuku Island is sometimes referred to as "God's Island," it retains ancient beliefs and festivals that are rooted in the land.
Former residents who have now moved to Ishigaki Island and other islands return to Aragusuku Island when festivals and ceremonies are held.
During the harvest festival held in mid-July, the masked deities called akamata and kuromata are the object of worship.
However, this festival is limited to only those who are from Aragusuku Island, their relatives, and close relations, and furthermore, the participants are forbidden to divulge the details of the festival, making it a secret festival that is not really known.
There are no special tours that you can participate in, so do not carelessly investigate just because you are interested.
The seclusion of the island is one of the main attractions of New Castle Island.
When you visit, you may want to ponder the secrets that are never revealed.
Impossible to go privately.
It is impossible to go to Aragusuku Island by yourself.
In addition, never visit a private individual without asking.
It may cause trouble with the locals and lead to breaking the rules of the island, which are maintained by the efforts of many people.
When visiting Aragusuku Island, be sure to take a tour from a nearby island.
Early reservations are required for tours.
If you are considering joining such a tour to Aragusuku Island, make reservations as early as possible.
Since this is an irregular route with no regular service, we would like to make sure to schedule it with plenty of time to spare.
You can walk to and from Kamijijima and Shimojijima!
We mentioned that Kamiji and Shimoji islands are separated by the sea, but it is possible to cross between the two islands by walking through the shallow coral reefs at certain times of the day.
You will also be able to see a colorful sight between the two islands, as the coral is not bleached.
summary
We hope you enjoyed our introduction to Aragusuku Island, the island of God.
Aragusuku Island has a wide range of attractions that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, including those who are interested in history and mystery spots, not to mention the tropical travel experience.
When visiting the island, be sure to follow the rules and enjoy yourself in a courteous manner!
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