Emerald Sea Observation Deck (エメラルドの海を見る展望台)

Flow of the course

About this spot

This observation deck sits atop Mt. Banna (バンナ岳), which rises north of Ishigaki's city area, within Banna Park (バンナ公園). True to its name, a grand panorama spreads out below, showing the town of Ishigaki and a coral sea shining emerald in the light. On clear days, you can see all the way across the water to Taketomi Island (竹富島) and other islands of the Yaeyama chain, making this the perfect finishing spot to fix in your memory the full view of the island you've toured all day. It's accessible by car right up to near the observation deck, and being just a short walk from the parking lot is another welcome convenience. As evening approaches, the light softens, and watching the colors of the sea and sky shift moment by moment is a beauty you could gaze at forever.

Tips

Winds can be strong atop the observation deck, so be careful your hat doesn't blow away. Banna Park is very large with multiple entrances, so it's most reliable to set your car navigation to Emerald Sea Observation Deck. Roads within the park become hard to see once it gets dark, so it's recommended to head back down while it's still light.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour. As the afternoon light begins to slant, it brings out the sea's emerald color even more vividly

Access & map

〒907-0023 沖縄県石垣市石垣