Pinaisara Falls’ name describes its resemblance to an old man’s beard, although in the case of the tallest waterfall in Okinawa, those would be some long 55-meter (about 181 feet) whiskers. Located in Funaura Bay on Iriomote Island, there are three ways to reach this natural attraction: 1) by foot, 2) by canoe, or 3) by sightseeing boat (in order of most to least rigorous). No matter which way you choose to reach this beautiful natural scene, there will be walking involved, so this is definitely not an activity for those who will have difficulty with this. Another thing to note, as with all falls, is the changing water level at the base pool.
A picturesque name for an equally charming panorama, Hoshizuna no Hama, which translates to Star Sand Beach, is one of two beaches in Japan that has grains of sand that are in the shape of stars. What is even more fascinating, is that the asterisk-shaped grains are actually skeletons of mono-celled organisms (Baclogypsina sphaerulata to be exact).The water can get a bit too shallow (depending on the tides) for swimming, but a scenic leisurely outing is always a sure thing at this destination.
Ensconced in the turquoise waters of the East China Sea, the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is home to one of Japan's largest mangrove forests. The island that the park calls home is at the deep southern end of the country believed to have disjointed from the mainland several millennia ago. This phenomena is thought to have been responsible for the park's population of the endemic Iriomote Cat, whose lineage can be traced back to the neighboring landmasses. Apart from the exotic feline specie, Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is home to several endemic plant species like the Yaeyama palm tree and the Macodes petola that complete its verdant environs. Designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan, the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park's clear skies are often circled by Crested serpent eagles. Their gaze fondly overlooking the region's coral-rich blue waters that are patrolled by the manta rays.