"Senaga Jima"

An Utaki at Senaga Jima

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Senaga-Jima

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 10.525	E 127 38.534

Senaga Island

For a small island, there is actually a lot of little things you can do on Senaga Jima. This island is found off the coast of Tomigusuku City and just south of the Naha Airport. The picture you see above is one of many Utaki's or places of worship you will find around the island. For the most part, the island is largely uninhabited. There are no houses, just commercial lots and small amusement parks, and a soon-to-be resort facility on the western side. Driving distance around the island is roughly 1.5 km and the island is about 600m long at its widest section.

One of the highlights you will find on the island, is a Fertility Stone or monument, however, this is not the original stone. The original stone was a large coral rock a few meters high. On the original stone there were two holes on the rock – one at the top and one at the bottom. If you wanted a boy you threw a pebble through the top hole, and if you wanted a girl, you threw a pebble through the bottom hole. The stone was referred to as 'Ishi-iri'. Ishi meaning stone and 'iri' was a Hogan dialect meaning to 'to throw in'. The stone was also referred to as 'Kodakara-iwa' which loosely translated, means 'to be gifted with a child'. Still today people come to the current stone to pray for fertility. It is not certain what had happen to the original stone.

Other things to do. If you like the simple, then there is plenty to do here on Senaga Island. Click on the photo album above or click here to see other things you can do on the island. It is a great place to go walking with a love one, go exploring on the shoreline, or have a lunch under one of the shaded areas. They do have a batting cage, a small amusement park area, and a cafe on the northern side. And if you are really into birding, you can catch plenty of shore birds that come in the area to feed around the coral. Senaga Jima is also ideal for Ospreys during the cold season. The treeline on top of Senaga Island gives them places to perch and rest or an eating area after catching a fish. It will not be uncommon to see multiple Ospreys flying in the same area.

Source. Information on the Fertility Stone was extracted from a stone inscription.

"Manko Waterbird & Wetland Center"

Grey Heron at the Manko Wetlands (About 300m from the Center)

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Manko Waterbird and Wetland Center

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 11.638	E 127 40.915

Manko Waterbird & Wetland Center

This is the Manko Waterbird and Wetland Center of Tomigusuku City just outside the borders of Naha. It's not too far from the very visible Toyomi Ohashi Bridge often seen to the east as you are driving down Highway 58. Because of its significance as a stopover point during the winter season for various migratory birds, the Manko Wetlands became a registered wetland area under the Ramsar Convention in May 1999 (Ramsar site no. 996). Inside the center you will see various pictures, bird displays, and information on the various birds often seen in the Manko Wetlands. On the second deck, there are birding scopes so you can get a glimpse of some of the wildlife that take refuge there. Just outside the center there is a man-made boardwalk that takes you to an outdoor observation post.

For the most part the center is a very English friendly place. They have a well done English pamphlet that talks about the various wildlife seen there and the history behind the Manko Wetlands. Make sure you grab one of these pamphlets. The pamphlets are located at the sign-in booth as soon as you walk in. If they don't have one, then be sure to ask for one. Also inside the pamphlet is a field map of other observation areas surrounding wetlands. And please don't forget to sign in. There is no entrance fee to go inside, but your name and where you come are important to keeping the place open.

In the photo album you will see some of the various birds just taken in one hour's time: Osprey, Grey Heron, Japanese White-eye, Common Redshank, and the Little Egret. The captions in the photo album will have the scientific name. To see other wildlife in action at the Manko Wetlands visit Mike's Ryukyu Gallery.

Getting there. Getting there is not difficult, however the turn-off can often be missed cause one of the street signs is blocked by a group of trees. Please look at the map and study the landmark and the blue designated vehicle route. Entrance to the wetland center is the very first left as soon as you commence on the road designated by the blue route. It is a 'J' hook turn to the left.

Open: 9am-5pm daily except Mondays, the next day after a holiday, and during Dec 29-Jan 3
Phone Number: 098-840-5121
Website: http://www.geocities.jp/manko_mizudori/ (Japanese Only)
Entrance Fee : Free

They ask you to call in advance for groups of 15 or more.

Other birding areas on Okinawa: Birding Observation Point (Awase).

Other places of interest nearby: Fukushuen Chinese Garden, Monument to Hibari Misora, Pineapple House Store, Sumiyoshi Shrine.

"Bird Observation Point (Awase)"

Great Egrets perched at the Hiyagon Swamp in Awase

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Bird Observation Point (Awase)

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 18.770	E 127 49.644

Bird Observation Point (Awase)

I know that not everyone here is a birder, but there might be a few birders out here in Okinawa. It has become a hobby of mine over the years. What makes a birder's life easy is if he or she knows an area that certain birds frequent.  This makes it easy to set up to get that one picture. During one of my walks I happen to find a make-shift bird observation post that someone made near the Hiyagon Swamp in Awase. They put a little overhang for shade. Someone even posted pictures they had taken before of the Great Egret.

I personally managed to take some photos of the Great Egret and the Grey Heron myself. It was fun to watch them. There might be other birds that come there if you are lucky and depending on the season.

Hiyagon Swamp is next to the Comprehensive Park. It is mostly fenced off, but you are able to walk around most of it. The bird observation post is not far from the "Takahara Ditch" which I posted earlier. There too at the "Takahara Ditch" you may see some bird life (which I will post soon). To the east of the swamp and across the street is the Awase War Memorial.

What to bring: Water, Camera (with a good zoom, cause the birds will be about 300-400 feet at a minimum), umbrella, and notepad.

Other Areas of Interest: "Takahara Ditch", Awase War Memorial (Blog post coming soon), Awase Shrine.

If you want to see other birds of Okinawa, please visit Mike's Ryukyu Gallery of Birds of Okinawa.