Higashi Hennazaki

At the eastern tip of Miyako Island, there is a beautiful cape jutting out into the azure sea for 2 kilometers. In the spring, the flowers of the teppo lily bloom, creating a beautiful scene.

This cape, called Higashiheannana Cape, faces the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, and is one of the representative tourist attractions of Miyako Island.

Located at the southeastern tip of Miyako Island, Cape Higashiheannana is a long, narrow cape about 2 km long, up to 250 m wide, and about 20 m above sea level. The top of the cape is flat and surrounded by sea cliffs. The width of the cape from the base to the center is approximately 120-180 m, and it widens to 200-250 m from the center to the tip.

Coral reefs have developed in the surrounding waters, and an elliptical detached reef is formed about 1 km east of the cape. Scattered along the coast near the tip of the cape are giant rocks with a maximum diameter of 6-8 m. The Panari reef is also dotted with rocky blocks. These giant rocks are thought to be tsunami stones carried by the tsunami of the Yaeyama earthquake of 1771 (Meiwa-no-tsunami) and earlier earthquakes.

Because of the strong winds, tall trees do not grow here, and plant communities peculiar to wind-precipitated areas have formed. 1980, the area was designated as a natural monument of Okinawa Prefecture as “Higashi Heian-Na-zaki Uplifted Coral Reef Coastal Wind-precipitated Plant Community,” and 222 species of higher plants in 65 families have been confirmed to grow there. In addition, from April to May, the entire cape is covered with tephra lilies, which are a tourist attraction.

At the tip of this cape, there is the Heirayana-zaki Lighthouse, located 43 meters above sea level, which was first lit in 1967 and illuminates an area of 18 nautical miles. It is a visitor lighthouse that can be visited inside and climbed to the top. Since the 320-degree circumference of the lighthouse is the sea, the horizon can be seen in a round shape, making it a famous place for the first sunrise of the new year.

On the northeast side of the cape is the Hora Fishing Port. Higashi Heianna Cape is one of the representative tourist attractions of Miyako Island and was designated as a national scenic beauty spot in 2007. It is maintained as Higashi Heian-Nana-zaki Park and is selected as one of the 100 best city parks in Japan.