Quick Okinawa Info
Yabiji |
Updated on : March 31, 2005 |
Japan's largest cluster of coral reefs that appears only during the spring tide
Yabiji is north of Ikema Island in the Miyako island group. It is composed of more than 100 coral reefs, large and small. It is twelve kilometers north to south and eight kilometers east to west. Normally it is submerged, but several times a year, during the spring tides, it emerges from the deep.
When it emerges, its area is almost one-tenth the size of Miyako Island. It is Japan's largest cluster of coral reefs. To protect the coral, the Miyako Tourist Association laid out special guidelines and people are allowed to go ashore only during the Yabiji Matsuri on March 3rd of the lunar calendar.
If you do get the chance to go, dress properly when you go on the 90-min. tour. Sneakers, long pants and long sleeve shirts, hats and sunglasses are necessary items to prepare. While ashore, follow the guide's directions, walk slowly and be careful not to damage the reef. Please remember that you’re not allowed to capture any species. Keep away from dangerous creatures like moray eels and bear paw clams and please do not venture too close to the water's edge.
After your tour on the reef, you can enjoy shipboard entertainment. You’ll see people dancing the Kachashi and you will often see lively older folks enticing the tourists to get up and dance with them.
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