The world’s northernmost tropical karst landscape, Mt.
A limestone formation formed in the ocean 200 million years ago rose to the ground and eroded over a long period of time to form a rocky mountain range lined with four series of strange stones. This is Oishi-Rinzan (Mt. Oishi). It is a famous sightseeing spot that is always included in package tours of Okinawa, and it is also known as a power spot because of the myths that remain from the Ryukyu Dynasty era.
Point 1: Guided tours are recommended.
You can freely explore Mt. Oishi Rinzan, but if you sign up for a 1.5-hour guided tour, you can learn more about the great nature of Yanbaru by observing the origins of the tropical karst landforms and the plants and animals that live and grow there.
The tour costs 3,000 yen per adult for 1 hour and 30 minutes, including the 1,200 yen entrance fee.
There is also a spiritual guided tour, which costs 4,000 yen per adult for 120 minutes, including the entrance fee.
This tour will take you to places of worship and legendary spots in the Ryukyu Kaiyaku region, allowing you to feel the worship of nature in Okinawa.
Point 2: Visit the “Okinawa Stone Culture Museum
This is a geological and folklore museum with the theme of “Okinawan Stones”.
Stone specimens collected from all over the prefecture and folk tools made of stone are also on display.
In central and southern Okinawa and remote islands, trees did not grow because they were covered with limestone, and people used stones to make things necessary for daily life.
They used to make things necessary for daily life from stone.
Visitors can experience the unique culture of Okinawan stone artifacts such as water bottles, tubs, and other daily utensils, as well as Chikaraishi (a stone that brings good luck with childbirth when lifted) and Ishigantou (a stone to ward off evil spirits placed at T-junctions)!
Point 3: “Fureai Shokudo Wasureya,” a diner with a herb salad bar
There is also a restaurant inside Oishi Rinzan.
The restaurant “Fureai Shokudo Towa-ya” (Fureai Shokudo Towa-ya) is popular for its herb salad bar, and the “Yanbaru nabe with herbs and prefectural pork and herb salad bar” (1,200 yen) is the signature menu item.
The contents of the herbs vary depending on the season, but about four kinds of herbs are served.
The restaurant also offers rare drinks such as mango, seekwasa, guava, and passion fruit soft drinks, and coral beer made from the underground water of Gyokusen-dong, which was created from coral reefs.
The spectacular view of the ocean from this restaurant is also a hidden spot of interest.
