"The Yan Spring - Miyagi Island"

The Yan Spring (Yanga)

View Map It! Okinawa in a larger map

The Yan Spring

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 22.254	E 127 58.937

The Yan Spring - Miyagi Island

Okinawa is full of natural springs. This one found on Miyagi Island is the Yan Spring (Yanga) and is considered one of Uruma City's cultural assets. It is not too far away from the Nagusuku Udun roughly 400 meters away. Next to the spring is an explanation sign translated in English provided by the Uruma City Board of Education. It reads:

"Comprised of Ryukyu limestone and Tertiary Strata marlstone (also known as kucha in Okinawan), the soil of Miyagi Island is ideal for trapping rainwater, and thus the island has abundant spring water. The yanga has the highest output of water among all springs on the island;

It is recorded in the Kyuyou(*1) that the village heads of Yonagusuku Magiri(*2), Penchin(*3) Nakamura and Pechin Ikemi, had restored the yanga with the help of 19 villagers in 1849. The stone structure that they reconstructed leaves evidence of construction techniques of the time. The then-villages of Uehara and Miyagi did not use the water only for daily needs; the spring is considered historically significant, for its water was used for wakamizu(*4) and also for ubumizu(*5)"

Notes:
1. Kyuyou: a book that records the history of Okinawa
2. Magiri: a modern-day equivalent of village, towns, and cities during the Ryukyu Kingdom Era
3. Pechin: a rank in the old Ryukyu Kingdom Era
4. Wakamizu: water used in the New Year
5. Ubumizu: water used for celebrating birth

Using spring water for 'wakamizu' and 'ubumizu' is common throughout Okinawa for those who still practice traditional customs. It is also not uncommon to find symbols of worship like utaki's next to springs. Long ago, water was treasured as the life blood for communities, and places of worship were erected to give thanks for such sources of water.

Author's note. The translation states the Yan spring “has the highest output of water among all springs on the island”. This more than likely refers to Miyagi Island and not Okinawa proper. There are other springs throughout Okinawa that also have high outputs of water as well.

The Other Natural Spring. There is another natural spring to the south of the Yan Spring. There is no official title to it and we simply refer to as the 'Miyagi Garden Spring'. See map above. It is highly recommended you navigate on foot to this location. If you walk just further to the south of the 'Miyagi Garden Spring' you will also see some interesting terrain.

Other Natural Springs on Okinawa Prefecture.
Kanumou Well in Awase (Okinawa City), Okawa, The Natural Spring (Kin Town), Nakandakari Hijya, Natural Spring (Nanjo City), Noroga and Remnants of an Old Sugar Factory (Uruma City), Small Kunigami Cave Spring (Kunigami Village), Tabagaa Water Spring (Uruma City), The Dragon Tree (Naha City), Ubugaa (Okinawa City), Water From Hands (Nago City).

"The Golden Forest Utaki"

View Map It! Okinawa in a larger map

The Golden Forest Utaki

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 37.391	E 128 01.709

The Golden Forest Utaki – Nago City

This is the Golden Forest Utaki* in Nakaoshi of Nago City. It sits along one of Nago City's back roads near the base of the Nago Mountains. The name 'Golden Forest' harmoniously describes the immediate surrounding area. Off in the back you will see shades of gold tinted foliage and leaves. The stones in the foreground too are covered in tinted shades of gold. The inscription on the back of the main stone reads:

"This is a sacred utaki of Nakaoshi. Because of construction, part of the road now covers this utaki. This monument is built to pray for the safety of those who live in this region. 1986 February."

If you were to venture off to the tree line in the back you will eventually see a small rock-side waterfall. See photo album above. The entire area is very quiet and peaceful with a slight breeze swooshing through every now and then. 

Getting there. The are two simple ways you can get to this utaki. If you are familiar with the Haneji Dam/Highway 18 route, you can approach the blue designated route (in the map above) from the south. The landmark (radio tower) at the beginning of the blue route is your signal to turn. See post on Haneji Dam/Scenic Route 18 for more information about this route. The other means is through Highway 58. The landmark for the turn-off will be a small statue of a little boy. The utaki will be on your right as your are driving.

Parking. There are no designated parking areas near this utaki. You have to find a wide area in the road nearby to park safely. Be careful of on coming traffic. Because the utaki sits along a somewhat unknown backroad, vehicles tend travel little faster along this route.  

Hunting Season Advisement: Though not often known, Okinawa does have a hunting season (November 15-February 15). CAUTION LEVEL: VERY LOW You won't see any hunters near any public places, nor this utaki. They usually go deep in the Nago Mountains away from any kind of population. This advisement  is for those who may wish to venture off later in the Nago Mountains after visiting this utaki. Only qualified and trained personnel are allowed to have such a license. It is mainly to hunt pest such as wild boar or other animals that have a negative effect on the land, crops, and other wildlife. Should you decide to go on a vehicle excursion in the Nago Mountains just be advised. They will be wearing bright orange, and sometimes organized in groups. There should be little to worry about if you travel on public roads and to known public areas. 

Note1: *'Utaki' is a place of worship in Okinawa

Note2: Not all icons will appear on the same map from earlier post. For example, the Haneji Dam/Scenic Route 18 do not appear in the above map. Much like Google's search results, you have to click 'Next' or 'Prev' to see the next group of icons when you view the map in screen size. This is a Google protocol and is trying to be resolved.   

"The Dragon Tree"

Size comparison: A photographer stands in front of  'The Dragon Tree'*

View Map It! Okinawa in a larger map

The Dragon Tree

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 13.935	E 127 40.959

The Dragon Tree

Natural phenomenons on Okinawa are often used as symbols for places of worship. Such places can be a water spring, a hilltop, or...a large tree. The tree you see above is commonly known as a Banyan Tree (Ficus microcarpa). The Okinawans call it 'Gajumaru'. The roots of a Gajumaru tree are well known to dig their 'claws' through hard soil and rocks. What makes this tree unique is that it sits on a large stone that has been carved out with a stone marker inside. The main Kanji reads 'Tenryu Daigoshin' and gives reference to a 'Dragon god from the heavens' hence the nickname, 'The Dragon Tree'*. In front of the stone marker is an incense holder for those who wish to offer prayers. What also makes this particular tree beautiful is its radiating symmetry of tree limbs shooting outward. The tree sits next to another utaki (place of worship) and a water spring down below. If you are into seeing the unique and unusual on Okinawa, then this might be a tree to see.

Getting there. The tree is located in a place that you would least expect. It sits behind an apartment and some commercial buildings in Naha City. Study the map carefully. The designated blue vehicle route is accessible for traffic going both north and south (note: northbound traffic just before this intersection cannot turn right due to a road median divider). Look at the Landmark Icon on the map to see what the turn-off looks like. 

Parking. There is no designated parking for this utaki. There may be an open lot just before the turn-off. In this picture it is to the left of the coke machine. Park at your own risk.

*the 'Dragon Tree' is a nickname created by the author to describe the tree and its association with the utaki (place of worship) collocated with it. It is not an official title.

"Noroga and Remnants of an Old Sugar Factory"

A tall chimney left over from an old 1940 sugar factory

View Map It! Okinawa in a larger map

Noroga and Remnants of an Old Sugar Factory

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 18.300	E 127 54.630

Noroga and Remnants of an Old Sugar Factory

It is pretty rare to see an old style brick chimney here on Okinawa. What you see above is what's left over from an old sugar factory built in 1940. Four years after its construction it was destroyed during the war (the translation on the sign did not specify if it was destroyed as a result of the war). The only thing left now is an old chimney and a sugar cane field that overlooks the western side of Katsuren Peninsula. To the east is a spring called Noroga (or Nuruga) and people of the nearby village come here to pray for prosperity. The trail to the spring is pretty noticeable off to the side. As you get closer you will see a large tree slumped over the spring. Water flows gently down a small dug out reservoir.

Other places nearby. From the sugar factory location, if you continue north along the peninsula you will eventually get to the backside of Katsuren Castle where you can take a good photograph of the castle elevated on a hill top. At several points you can get a good view of the ocean down below. If you are really into the 'off the beaten path' stuff, then there are some roads along the farms that take you further down to the beach side where you can see some unusual coral rock formations. If you do so, you may have to park your car at a reasonable distance and walk the rest of the way towards the beach. Roads in this area can be tight. Please study the map above. 

Getting there. Getting to the Old Sugar Factory grounds is not difficult. The turn-off is about 500 meters away from the main entrance to the White Beach U.S. Naval Facility. If you look at the map you will see a landmark with a historical sign that points to the 'Heshikiya Takino' historical site. Once you make the turn, 500 meters later you will see the chimney on your left-hand side along with a sign marker. 

"Tabagaa"

Tabagaa Spring

View Map It! Okinawa in a larger map

Tabagaa Spring

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 22.006	E 127 52.086

Tabagaa Water Spring

On the eastern side of Taba, a district in Uruma City, lies a sacred well called Tabagaa or sometimes referred to as Ubugaa. What you will see at the spring are two main water wells, a reservoir in between, and a place of worship known as an utaki. The explanation on a nearby sign does mention several stone stacking techniques used to set up this spring. They are referred to as akata, nozura, and kiriishi techniques of stacking.

At the beginning of the New Year you may see heighten activity at this location by local villagers. It is here where local villagers participate in a custom known as 'wakamizu', which is the first drawing of water on New Years Day*. The well is also used by local farmers for agricultural reasons and another practice called kauri/ubumizu which is a way of celebrating or welcoming a new baby into the world. These types of customs are similarly described at another well in Awase of Okinawa City which just happens to be named 'Ubugaa'.

Getting there. Not a difficult find. If you are on Highway 8 going towards Katsuren Castle look for this road sign to the left. Both the sign and the turn-off will be right before a Family Mart. The well is roughly 70 meters from the turn-off.

*the translated explanation did not specify which type of New Years. It could represent New Years both from the Gregorian Calendar and the Lunar Calendar (Chinese New Year).

"Nakandakari Hijya - A Natural Spring in Nanjo-shi"

Nakandakari Hijya, natural spring

View Map It! Okinawa in a larger map

Nakandakari Hijya (Natural Spring)

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 08.718	E 127 47.567

Nakandakari Hijya - A Natural Spring in Nanjo-shi

This is the Nakandakari Hijya, or the Nakandakari Natural Spring. It's located in the town of Nakandakari, a small district in the Nanjo-shi region, which lies in the southern part of Okinawa. It serves as a water source for the local community. It is an old style spring with a heating stove affixed to the side to heat up water. There is also an sacred place for prayer next to the spring. Here is a paraphrase of the English translation provided by the Tamagusuku Village Board of Education: The spring was once called 'Ufugaa' and was just an old wooden gutter. It was later rebuilt by a builder from the Tsuken Island between 1912-1913. It was used by the community for all sorts of chores; washing, cleaning, rinsing vegetables etc. Today, it is mainly for agriculture use for the nearby locals and farmers. Unfortunately, the original spring construction was destroyed and subsequently buried during the Battle of Okinawa, but was later rebuilt to its original form in 2004 (end paraphrase). Note: There is a sign with both Japanese and English explaining the origin of this spring.

I had assistance in helping find this place by Doc and Ryukyu Mike. They found it first and had posted earlier articles about it. If it were me, I would have driven past this place never knowing it existed. It is about a 100 meters near the main road (Highway 137). There is a small park with a cabana-like structure where you can view the coast line and the Philippine Sea to the east.

Getting there. The spring is on Highway 137. Highway 331 runs into the 137 from the east side. I placed some landmarks to guide you in. Click on the Landmark Icon to see what they look like. The 'blue route' highlights how to get there once you turn off the 137.

CAUTION. The ground next to the spring is either made up of limestone or coral. It is VERY SLIPPERY when wet. Use caution especially if you are walking up the incline to get an angular photo shot.

Other areas of interest nearby. There are two castles that are not frequented by tourist but are very interesting. They are close to the 137 if you were to drive towards the west. I will 'Map' these castles some time this month, but just wanted to give you a heads up to the curious traveler if you wish to find them yourselves. To get a preview visit Mike's Ryukyu Gallery. He took some outstanding photos.

"Okawa the Natural Spring in Kin Town"

Kin Town's Okawa the Natural Spring

View Map It! Okinawa in a larger map

The Natural Spring (Okawa in Kin))

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 27.246	E 127 55.674

Okawa the Natural Spring

Okawa is the name of the Natural Spring in Kin. You can park off to the side. Some people stop by to collect the water for variety of reasons. Some will clean their clothes there (it doesn't happen often). Nevertheless the water does look clean and fresh.

I drank the water...and still alive. Drink at your own risk. It does look fresh though. If it is a hot day...you will be tempted.

There is an old playground across from it...

Okawa is a great place to sit and have a lunch or a short drink.

Okawa is off Highway 329. You will see a 'Family Mart' before you turn off to the road to go to Okawa. The road is downhill and is covered by green asphalt.

Other places of interest nearby: Statue of Oshiro Kozo, Kin Kannonji Shrine, Kin Watch Tower, Kin's Castle Rock, Richamocha Cafe, The Gold Hall, Kinjo's Used Goods, Kin Town's Hidden Nature Trail, Statue of Toyoma Kyuzo, Birth Place of Toyoma Kyuzo, Kin Town's History Chronicles, Kin Town's Cherry Blossom Way.