I think Okinawa is the best location for enjoying outdoor activities.

The breathtaking beauty of Okinawa’s ocean cleanses our spirits and makes us feel one with nature. The brilliant colors painted on these transparent waters are often referred to as Okinawa Blue, describing the gradation of colors from clear blue, emerald blue, and deep blue that we see from the shallow beaches to the distant shore. Okinawa Islands are formed from coral reefs that developed to Ryukyu limestone, and in the surrounding waters are a great diversity of marine life. Visitors and locals enjoy the many marine activities available here, from diving and snorkeling, fishing, surfing, and more.

Okinawa’s seas and nature are what inspired Hayato Maki, a professional surfer, to relocate to Okinawa in 2011. Hayato has travelled across the globe to ride the waves and has lived in Tokyo, Hawaii, and also Chiba, a prefecture known to have some of the best surfing spots in Japan. Although he has yet to visit Africa and South America, his passion for surfing took him to places in America, Mexico, Papua New Guinea and many other countries, and out of all the places he’s visited in the world, he says that Okinawa’s ocean is the best. Hayato runs a business that offers custom-made tours that take full advantage of the weather, sea conditions and other factors to enjoy outdoor activities on Okinawa. Hayato says, “Since coming to Okinawa, I feel closer to nature. As I feel the turn of the tides and the direction of the winds throughout my days, I’m enjoying a lifestyle that’s in sync with the rhythm of nature.” On this occasion, Hayato will be on an adventure through the jungles of Iriomote Island, a place that’s still off the beaten track, trekking to the Mayagusku Falls that’s hidden deep in the forests.

Mayagusuku Falls:
The Most Spectacular Sight on Iriomote Island

Across approximately 400 kilometers north to south, and 1,000 kilometers east to west, the Okinawa Islands are made up of 160 islands, small and large, floating on the crystal clear waters of the Ryukyu Archipelago. Among them, 47 of the islands are inhabited with Okinawa Island being the largest and the main island to from Okinawa Prefecture. Iriomote is one of the Yaeyama Island chain, and is the second largest island in the prefecture. Close to 40 rivers flow through Iriomote Island, bringing life to the subtropical jungles which cover 90% of the land. Near the mouths of the rivers are rich mangroves that add up to 25% of the mangroves found in all of Japan. The whole island is a national park and remains untouched, with no major roads that allow people to travel around the whole island in vehicles. The only way to get on the island is through the two ports located at the southeastern point and northern point on the island. Iriomote is home to about 2,000 residents who live in villages that dot the island covered in jungles, and deep within the lush forestation is the day’s destination, the Mayagusuku Falls.

Mayagusuku Falls was only known to boar hunters and few other locals until not too long ago, and the route there is a little challenging and so the tour is recommended for those who are more confident about their physical fitness. On this tour to the waterfall was a guide from Sima Mari Asibi, nicknamed Naga, who is an expert on outdoor activities. As a student, he was in the mountaineering club and focused his studies on fieldwork. He also introduced the canyoning and caving activities on Iriomote Island, which are now two of the major activities offered on the island. In over the two decades he’s lived here, he has learned much about boar hunting, harvesting edible vegetation in the forests, and fishing from the local elders. He hopes to show the visitors all the natural beauty the island has to offer, and it was this love for Iriomote Island that inspired him to start his business that he runs alone, offering tours for small groups.