7 Places to Visit on Yonaguni Island: Spectacular Views at Japan’s Westernmost Point, Underwater Ruins, and a TV Drama Filming Location

Cape Irizaki, at the western end of Yonaguni Island, is home to the monument marking Japan’s westernmost point. The cape also has the white Irizaki Lighthouse and an observation deck offering panoramic views of the East China Sea and the island’s steep coastline. From the observation deck, you can also take in the open scenery of western Yonaguni, including Kubura and its fishing port.
The cape is also known as the place where the sun sets last in Japan and is especially popular at dusk. Watching the horizon turn crimson as the sun slowly sinks into the sea is an impressive sight that will remain with you long after your trip.

Kubura-Bari is a scenic site featuring a large chasm in the rocky ground near the coast. Located northwest of Kubura, the fissure measures approximately 49 feet long, 11.5 feet wide, and 23 feet deep. “Bari” means a crack or fissure. A tragic legend from the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom tells of pregnant women being forced to jump across the chasm to reduce the population while the islanders suffered under the heavy burden of the poll tax. In the fourth month of the lunar calendar, it was also used as a ceremonial site for sending rice pests out to sea. The site offers insight into both the hardships of life at the time and the island’s spiritual traditions. Its distinctive coastal landscape and cultural significance were recognized in 2014, when Kubura-Bari and nearby Kubura-Furishi were designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Cape Agarizaki, at the eastern end of Yonaguni Island, is a cape with sheer cliffs rising approximately 328 feet above the sea. “Agari” refers to the rising sun, making its name a counterpart to Cape Irizaki, whose name indicates the direction of sunset. The white Agarizaki Lighthouse stands at the tip of the cape, surrounded by lush green pastures.
Native Yonaguni horses and cattle graze across the grassland, and watching them feed peacefully is one of the area’s highlights. The surrounding area is designated by Okinawa Prefecture as the Cape Agarizaki Nature Conservation Area. Its combination of cliffs, tranquil pastures, and blue sea creates the open scenery characteristic of Yonaguni Island.

Tategami Rock rises from the rough sea off the southeastern part of the island. Revered as a sacred rock since ancient times, it has long provided spiritual support to the islanders and is considered a symbol of Yonaguni. The massive rock rises almost vertically approximately 66 feet above the water. Together with the surrounding cliffs and crashing white waves, it creates a dramatic landscape. Horizontal bands of layered rock are visible across its surface, giving it a distinctive appearance. There are two main observation points overlooking Tategami Rock, each offering a different angle. Visiting both and comparing the views is well worthwhile.

Tindabana is a 279-foot cliff southwest of Sonai. Near the top is a hollow carved into the rock face by groundwater erosion, forming a natural observation deck. From here, open views extend across the village, Nantahama Beach, and the East China Sea.
Legend also holds that the site was once the home of Sanai Isoba, a female chieftain who ruled the island in the late 15th century. The spring water, carefully protected by local residents since ancient times, is closely connected to the island’s rituals, including Aramidi, or “new water,” held in the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This landscape, where distinctive terrain meets traditions and rituals unique to the island, was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 2014.

Nantahama Beach is a white-sand beach beside Sonai. Located just a short walk from the village, it offers an easy way to experience the island’s sea while strolling along the water’s edge. The beach is also portrayed in “Nantahama,” a song about Yonaguni’s shoreline. Although the landscape has changed since the song was written, the beach remains closely connected to the islanders’ lives and memories. During the day, the blue sea stretching beyond the breakwater and the white sand create an appealing view. At night, visitors can see the moonlit sea and gaze at the stars from the beach. Approximately a 10-minute drive from Yonaguni Airport, it is also easy to visit between other sightseeing stops.

Shikinajima Clinic, in the Higawa area of Yonaguni Island, is an open set used to film the popular television drama “Dr. Coto’s Clinic.” In the series, it appeared as the clinic on the fictional island of Shikinajima and has been popular with fans since the program began airing in 2003. Inside are a waiting room, hospital room, examination room, and other spaces that immerse visitors in the series while preserving the atmosphere of the filming period. Walking through the building may bring memorable scenes from the drama back to mind. Even visitors who have never seen the series can appreciate the nostalgic building and the ocean view stretching out in front of it.

Off the southern coast of Yonaguni Island lies a distinctive underwater formation of step-like terraces and flat rock surfaces. A local diver discovered the unusual terrain in 1986 and named it the “underwater ruins,” sparking debate over whether it was artificial or naturally formed. In recent years, some have suggested that it was created by natural erosion, but the mysterious scenery continues to fascinate many people. One recommended way to see the site is aboard the semi-submersible sightseeing boat Jack’s Dolphin, which departs from Kubura Port and requires reservations. The ruins are approximately 18 minutes from the port, and the entire excursion takes about one hour. From the boat’s underwater observation room, passengers can remain seated and fully dressed while viewing the sea below. In addition to the rock formations, highlights include coral and colorful tropical fish.

A visit to Yonaguni Island is also an opportunity to meet Yonaguni horses, one of Japan’s native horse breeds. These small horses stand approximately 43 to 47 inches tall and were designated a Natural Monument of Yonaguni Town in 1969. Known for their gentle and friendly nature, they once supported island life by working in agriculture and transporting goods. Today, they are raised at ranches across the island and can sometimes be seen grazing in places such as the pastures around Cape Agarizaki. At Chimanma Hiroba in Kubura, visitors can try horseback riding and short trekking experiences. From May through September, there is also an activity called “Umiuma Asobi,” in which participants enter the sea with the horses. Spend a relaxing time with these endearing native horses while taking in the island’s natural surroundings.

Yonaguni Island is internationally known as a diving destination for encountering schools of hammerhead sharks. The chances of seeing them are particularly high from December through February, although they may appear in the waters around the island from as early as November until around Golden Week in early May. The area around Cape Irizaki offers a high encounter rate, and divers may even see a “hammerhead river,” with dozens or hundreds of sharks swimming in formation. Watching a school pass directly in front of you or glide through the blue water is an experience distinctive to Yonaguni Island.
However, these dive sites are intended for advanced divers. In addition to an advanced-level certification, divers need the experience and skills required to handle strong currents.