Cape Kyan
喜屋武岬26°05′ N 127°40′ ECapeGood with kids
Cape Kyan in southern Itoman is a free clifftop lookout with a lighthouse where the Pacific meets the East China Sea; people often call it the southern tip of Okinawa Island, and Arasaki, just to the east, is the true southernmost point.
Photo Kzaral · Flickr · CC BY 2.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Cliffs of 10–20 m drop to the sea at the cape, and Itoman describes the point as the place where the Pacific and the East China Sea divide. The coast here was designated a national scenic place and natural monument in 2012 as the Kyan and Arasaki coasts. Strictly, the island's southernmost point is Arasaki, just east of here, though Itoman's own page calls Kyan the southern tip.
This end of the island was the last battlefield of the Battle of Okinawa, and the area lies inside the Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Park, created in 1965 around the battle sites. The Peace Tower memorial at the tip went up in 1969. Most people pair the cape with Peace Memorial Park at Mabuni, a short ride east along the coast.
Worth knowing
- Itoman's tourism office warns about habu snakes in the grass; stay on the paths.
- The Gushikawa castle ruins stand on the same stretch of coast.
FAQ
Quick answers about Cape Kyanよくある質問
Is Cape Kyan the southernmost point of Okinawa?
Not quite. Cape Kyan is often called the southern tip of Okinawa Island, but Arasaki, a short way east on the same coast, lies further south.
Is there parking at Cape Kyan?
Yes. Cape Kyan has a free car park beside the lookout and lighthouse.
What are the opening hours of Cape Kyan?
Cape Kyan is open Open at all hours.
How long do you need at Cape Kyan?
Plan about 20 minutes at Cape Kyan.
Can you get to Cape Kyan by bike?
The cape sits at the southern end of Itoman, off the coast road that runs between Itoman town and the Peace Memorial Park. There is a free car park at the lookout; watch for habu in the long grass beside it.
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