Yonaguni Underwater Monument 与那国島の海底地形

Take a sightseeing boat from Yonaguni Island and dive down into the shallow waters. What you discover there could be one of the wonders of the natural world. Or perhaps the remains of a lost civilization.

Yonaguni Island is the most remote of all the inhabited Okinawan Islands , and there are three flights a day from Painushima Ishigaki Airport, as well as one flight a day from Naha Airport.

There is a ferry that runs two trips a week from Ishigaki Island , with return journeys on different days. It takes around four hours and 30 minutes and can be a rough journey.

When diving tour operator Kihachiro Aratake was exploring the waters off the south shore of Yonaguni Island back in 1986, he made a startling discovery. Since then, many have been down to this sub-aqua playground to take a look, but no one is quite sure what is down there.

The rectangular rock formation known as the Yonaguni Monument measures 100 meters by 60 meters and stands about 25 meters tall. With other angular structures around it, the monument certainly looks man-made, but there is a problem. Scientists estimate that the formation is many thousands of years old, created before human beings would have had the means of making such a structure. So is it a natural rock formation? A natural formation adapted by man? Or is this indeed the remains of a lost civilization? You decide.

The Yonaguni Monument is in shallow waters, but there can be powerful currents, so you have to have some diving experience to explore the site safely. Dive operators offer tours, including equipment rental, a boat to the site, and an experienced guide.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website.