Shimajiri: Coast, Nature and Traditional Townscape

Shimajiri combines a quiet coast with a distinctive rock formation, nature experiences and a traditional settlement pattern that has been widely preserved. A continuous reef stretches out in front of Shimajiri Bay, largely enclosing the coast. The beach has slightly reddish sand; wild Monpa trees, among other plants, grow all around. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Shimajiri for your trip, you might consider which of these impressions you would like to shape your stay: coastal scenery, walks and nature watching, or the townscape.

Coast and Rock Formations

One striking destination is Tori-no-Kuchi, a huge andesite rock on the coast at Shimajiri Cape, at the southern tip of Kumejima. From the Tori-no-Kuchi car park, a walking trail of about 15 minutes leads to a viewpoint from which you can see the entire rock. The approximate walking time gives you a practical point of reference when planning to visit this viewpoint during the day. The view of the complete formation makes Tori-no-Kuchi a special highlight for anyone interested in the coast and its rocks.

Further afield in the region, numerous andesite rocks can be found along the Tokujimu Coast. Thousands of years of wave action have shaped them into rounded stones. The many rounded forms there thus contrast with a single, huge rock formation such as Tori-no-Kuchi.

Walking Trails and Nature Watching

Tokujimu Nature Park has walking trails and is suitable for birdwatching. This lets you take different interests in nature into account when planning your trip: you can make a walk the focus or choose birdwatching as a separate highlight. Camping is also possible in the park’s forest.

From a viewpoint in Tokujimu Nature Park, you can look out over Tumbara, an offshore rock massif rising from the sea. This viewpoint offers a different perspective from the one at Tori-no-Kuchi: here, the view takes in the rock massif in the sea, while there it takes in the entire andesite rock on the coast at Shimajiri Cape. If striking rock formations are important to you, this distinction offers a practical guide to choosing your destinations.

Traditional Townscape

Shimajiri’s townscape is also part of its character. The traditional settlement pattern, with Fukugi tree groves, stone walls and houses with tiled roofs, has been widely preserved. If, on your trip, you want to take in not only the coast and nature but also traditional architecture and town views, this gives you another reason to discover Shimajiri.

The Kumejima Tourism Association organizes beach cleanups on the second and fourth Monday of every month; Shimajiri Beach has also been cleaned as part of these efforts. This is another aspect of the relationship between the town and its coast. The regular dates and the cleanup of Shimajiri Beach give this topic a specific connection to the area.

Shimajiri as a Destination for Your Stay

When choosing a holiday rental, you can start with the experiences that matter most to you. This lets you tailor your accommodation search to your own interests without combining the coast, park and townscape into a single outing.

You can also find other destinations at Naha, Fuchaku, Tomigusuku, Miyakojima, Nanjō, Yonaguni, Ishigaki and Nago.

For the broader travel overview: Okinawa Prefecture.