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Keramashoto National Park Is Its Clear, Dazzling Blue Waters Dubbed “Kerama Blue.” So Rare Is the Area’S Sea That a Portion Has Been Designated As a Ramsar Site

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Keramashoto National Park Is Its Clear, Dazzling Blue Waters Dubbed “Kerama Blue.” So Rare Is the Area’S Sea That a Portion Has Been Designated As a Ramsar Site An invitation to paradise: Kerama Blue sea and idyllic islands beckon 23 Keramashoto Located approximately 40 kilometers west of Naha, the capital of Okinawa, the Kerama Islands were originally part of the mountain range connected to the northern region of the main island of Okinawa. National Park Due to movements of the earth’s crust, the region sank, resulting in the approximately 30 islands and reefs that make up the area today. The park, of which approximately 96 percent is ocean, was designated as a national park on Japan’s Coral Day (March 5) in 2014. The highlight of Keramashoto National Park is its clear, dazzling blue waters dubbed “Kerama Blue.” So rare is the area’s sea that a portion has been designated as a Ramsar site. The park is a cradle of life that nurtures a diverse assortment of living creatures: Colorful fish flock in great numbers to the dense colonies of coral, sea turtles swim leisurely through the azure waters, and from winter to spring hundreds of humpback whales visit the area for the mating season. Within the park, beautiful beaches and white sand are yours to discover, as well as breathtaking 200-meter-long marine-eroded cliffs, a ria coastline and vegetation endemic to windblown regions. The islands’ walking trails and observatories allow you to easily enjoy the glories of the four seasons and rare wildlife as you explore. Approximately 1,600 people live in villages and settlements dotting four of the Kerama Islands. Experience the culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa’s place in wartime history, and the relationship between the people of Kerama and the islands through the islanders, all while enjoying the leisurely pace of island life. ■Access Okinawa Main Zamami Island Island Haneda Airport Aka Island· Geruma Island Naha Tomari Port Tokashiki Island Naha Airport Naha Airport Kerama Blue sea National park area Access route Approx. 30 min Approx. 35 min by high-speed boat Tokashiki by monorail / approx. 70 min by ferry Island Approx. 180 min Approx. 20 min Approx. 50 min by high-speed boat Haneda by airplane Naha by taxi Naha Zamami / approx. 120 min by ferry 1 Airport Airport Tomari Port Island Approx. 40 min Approx. 50 min by high-speed boat Aka Island・ 4 5 by bus / approx. 90 min by ferry Geruma Island Access routes are given as examples. Times indicated for each route section are approximate only. For more details, please visit the counters or websites of the transportation providers. 2 ■Information counter 7 Please contact each provider directly. 3 6 8 9 1Kerama-jika deer, Aka Island and Geruma Island, Okinawa Prefecture 2Takara Residence, Geruma Island, Okinawa Prefecture 3Common tern, Chibishi Islands, Okinawa Prefecture 4Chishi Observatory, Zamami Island, Okinawa Prefecture 285 5Kaminohama Observatory, Zamami Island, Okinawa Prefecture 6Tokashiki Island, Okinawa Prefecture 7Whale watching 8Sea turtle 9Sunset 286 アクティブ アクティブ 言語 個人向け 団体向け アクティブ 伝 統・文 化 食べる 買う EN EN 言語対応可 春限定 夏限定 秋限定 冬限定 FIT GROUP 初心者向け 経験者向け 対応可 （言語対応には事前の連絡が必要） Park17-Contents01-03 Park17-Contents04-06 Mashu Akan- ‒Recommended Activities‒ Daisetsuzan Keramashoto National Park Float through paradise on the exceptionally clear Kerama Blue sea. Watch the sun Get your fill of Kerama Blue seas and Zamami's abundant nature exploring the island Toya Shikotsu- Activity Activity 01 sink behind the Kerama Islands as part of a stand-up paddleboarding experience. 04 accompanied by a local guide brimming with knowledge on the island's nature. A walking tour of Zamami, where islands and the sea are interwoven into a picturesque landscape Hachimantai Towada- A stand up paddle boarding experience where you can admire the beauty of the Kerama Blue glowing in the evening sun under a gentle sea breeze EN FIT FIT GROUP EN A wide variety of hiking courses are available to choose Fukko Sanriku Have the seas to yourself with a sunset paddle through waters so clear and blue you will instantly understand from based on your abilities and interests, including a why they have earned the name Kerama Blue. As the sun course from the port to Furuzamami Beach that focuses sets over the Kerama Islands, most beach revelers head on enjoyment of the Kerama Blue sea and white-sand Asahi Bandai- for home, leaving you and your tour-mates to enjoy a beach, a course that heads to the recently renovated magical golden-hour seascape on a nearly empty bay. Kaminohama Observatory, and a course to Takatsukiyama Even stand-up paddle boarding beginners can join the Observatory and its incredible views that runs along tour with peace of mind, as a short lesson will have you mountain trails abounding in vegetation and fl owers. Nikko ready to glide across the relatively calm bay in no time. Season Late October–May Season Year-round Time required Set to match time of Time required Approx. 120 min Fee Adults (age 12 sunset Fee Adults and children: 5,500 yen and over): 3,850 yen, children (ages 6 to 11): 1,925 Hakone-Izu Fuji- *Participants who cannot paddle alone can share yen *We can accommodate 2 to 6 people a board with a guardian for a combined fee of Inquiries Zamami Village Tourism Association 6,000 yen Inquiries AcousticLife Phone 080- Phone 098-987-2277 kogen Joshin’etsu 2795-9967 E-mail info@acousticlife-tokashiki. E-mail [email protected] com URL http://acousticlife-tokashiki.com URL https://www.vill-zamami-okinawa.com/ renzan Myoko-Togakushi Activity Activity Admire the diverse scenery of Tokashiki Island, which includes deep green mountains and lagoons. Encounter a sea turtle almost every time, on this guided snorkeling tour! 02 05 Enjoy a close-up look at the island's nature on a low-tide hike across adjacent beaches. sangaku Chubu Snorkeling with sea turtles in a dream world of the Kerama Blue and coral reef Discover an invigorating lush subtropical landscape and an island-fi lled seascape while exploring lagoons on a nature tour. FIT EN FIT GROUP EN Shima Ise- As a result of many issues, including habitat loss, globally Despite stretching just ten kilometers north to south, Tokashiki sea turtles have seen a drop in numbers. Around the Island is home to diverse environments, including deep green Kerama Islands, however, where natural shorelines mountains, windswept fi elds, beaches and lagoons. This tour Kumano Yoshino- remain and conservation eff orts have been implemented, takes advantage of low tide to hike across two adjacent the number of sea turtles remains high. Snorkel Kerama’s beaches and on to Aharen Enchi Park’s observatory. While waters accompanied by a guide familiar with the traversing the beaches, admire the vegetation and keep an behavior of sea turtles for a nearly 100-percent chance eye out for animals, and in tidepools, marine creatures. As you Kaigan San'in of swimming with the large marine reptiles. Treasure an traverse Aharen Enchi Park on your way to its southernmost encounter with sea turtles while abiding by your guide’s point, notice how the vegetation changes from that of a tropical instructions and the rules for a truly unique experience. beach to vegetation characteristic of windswept beaches. Oki Daisen- Season Year-round Time required Approx. 150 min Season Year-round Time required Approx. 120 min Fee Adults and children (age 7 and over): 4,000 Fee Adults (age 12 and over): 6,000 yen, yen (tax not included) *An additional 1,000 yen (tax not children: 4,000 yen *Minimum number of included) is required if you wish to have breakfast or Setonaikai participants: 2 Inquiries Island's Trip lunch *Minimum number of participants: 2 Phone 098-896-4522 E-mail info@islands-trip. Inquiries SUNNY CORAL Phone 090-3632-9329 com URL https://islands-trip.com/ E-mail [email protected] Uwakai Ashizuri- Activity Whale watching at a rare breeding ground for humpback whales! Activity Explore the sea of the national park touring incredible coral reefs in a semi-submersible Observe mother whales raising their calves and their impressive performances from aboard a boat. sightseeing boat. Kuju Aso- 03 06 A whale watching tour in Zamami where you can experience the energy and beauty of nature in the ocean waters of the Kerama Blue Feel like an explorer in the glass-paneled Yellow Submarine (semi-submersible sightseeing boat) EN Amakusa Unzedn- FIT GROUP EN FIT GROUP The seas around the Kerama Islands are destination for whales. The region is one of Enjoy a 360-degree view of the sea from the the few breeding areas for humpback whales in the northern hemisphere, and off ers water's surface to the seafloor at a depth of exceptional opportunities to glimpse whale parenting in the wild. During the tour, an approximately 15 meters. Observe the spectacular Kinkowan Kirishima- island-based scout scours the waters from an observation deck for signs of whales, coral and colorful fi sh of Keramashoto National Park contacting the boat as soon as he spies one. As a result, not only are chances high that and catch sight of sea turtles mid-meal and many you’ll see a whale, they’re also high that you’ll see one quickly. Enjoy the thrill of the other rare sights. People of all ages will enjoy this Yakushima chase and the excitement of spotting whales in their natural habitat—it’s guaranteed to leisurely tour that runs throughout the year. be a highlight of your Kerama journey. ※ If whales cannot be located before the tour Season Year-round Time required Approx. 55 min leaves, the hour-long Kerama Blue Island Tour will be off ered instead at half the price.
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