Each year, about 35,000 visitors
drive cars to get a glimpse of the breathtaking waterfall that is a wide
curtain of water and straight down to a rock surface. And you are able to enjoy
an adventurous landscape from the suspension bridge on your way. It is a little
bit necessary to endure the hardship of the walking trail for about two hours
round trip. If you can immerse yourself within the quiet forest and listen to
the harmonies of the waterfall and birds, you will surely be healed and be
energized for tomorrow.
The Hiji-Otaki Park
is located about 30km North from Meio University. To drive through Hiji-Otaki
Park is to wander into a tropical landscape on a curving road along with the
shoreline and a comfortable zephyr from the East-China Sea. The spectacular
fall and a stunning view from the suspension bridge are waiting for you. This
park was maintained in 1995 by Kunigami Village Government together with their
historical ruins where their rituals take place.
Before you go to the waterfall,
there are some points about which you have to be careful. First of all, you
should wear comfortable shoes. One of our member's shoe bottoms peeled off
his shoe. Without shoe bottoms, it is hard to walk the path. You had better
check your shoes before going to the waterfall. Second, you should prepare a
towel and water. While walking the path, you sweat very much. You had better
bring some towels and a 1 liter bottle of water at least.
After paid admission; 500 yen,
there are some sticks which you can use if you need. It helps you go to the
goal. Through the camp area, you can chose a path. I think you had better go to
the new one because it doesn’t have a steep slope. You can walk without getting
so tired. On the right, you can see a clear river. It is cool, so you may want
to swim. Walking along the way, there is a lot of nature. You can refresh
yourself. After going over the bridge, there are some steep stairs. You have to
go up and down again and again. It is hard for the person who has a lack of
exercise. After about 40 minutes, you can go to the waterfall.
Beyond the halfway point, we
arrived at the suspension bridge. How about having a break there? There are two
reasons. Firstly, I want you to see the Hiji River flowing through the Yanbaru
forest from the suspension bridge. It is magnificent scenery which cannot be seen
usually. So, you will be able to know that it is important to protect the
beauty of nature. Secondly, I think there is a comfortable place. There is
usually a cool breeze here and one can hear only the sound of wind and birds
and the river. So, you could feel refreshed easily. By the way, the suspension
bridge is swaying by the wind. Please be careful because the height is about
17M.
Arriving at the waterfall, we were
overwhelmed by it. Then I think it will be one of the most beautiful places
among other waterfalls in Okinawa. This is because the Hiji-Otaki waterfall is
the largest waterfall with a drop of about 26m on the main island of Okinawa.
Furthermore, we were not tired after walking up to it. Because this waterfall
was so beautiful that we couldn’t take our eyes off it. This will be the
opportunity to reconsider yourself who spends time without any inconvenient
things.
We were sitting on the bench and
having lunch in the Halfway Point. The wind felt nice. We bought lunch boxes on
the way to Hiji-Otaki. We bought them in the “Co-op” which is a supermarket,
but you can buy anywhere in Nago city. When you buy a lunchbox, you might just
make sure whether chopsticks come with it. Actually, our lunch boxes didn't
have them. We saw various plants and creatures. We could see a snake, and a Noguchigera which is a nationally protected species of bird. Some people who brought a
big camera came to take the Noguchigera's picture. There are Yanbaru kuina
(Gallirallus Okinawaw) and Ishikawa's frog, which are nationally protected
species, but we couldn't see them.
We stopped by a cafe after going
down the mountain. The cafe is in front of the entrance of the campground. We
ordered “Zenzai”. “Zenzai” is an Okinawan sweet food. It is shaved ice topped
with “Azuki” which is made of red beans and “Shiratama” which is made of flour.
Since we were exhausted from hiking, we can feel more taste than usual.
“Zenzai” is 380yen. And also there are also a Curry, cake and so on.
During your
daily life, you may be tired sometimes. Then we need time to rest. If you need
it, how about going to Hiji-Ootaki? You can have the opportunity to reconsider yourself
without any inconvenient things. Let's get the energy for the future in great nature.
How to get the
Hiji-Otaki Park from Nago City.
There is only one
route.
1. Take Route 58 North through the
Okuma intersection, just before FamilyMart Okuma.
2. Find the
direction board for Hiji-Otaki Park above the road.
3. Make a Right and
head East.
4. Follow the
direction boards above the road.
Address:781-1 Hiji,
Kunigami-village, Okinawa, Japan
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