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Miyako Island Pumpkin Hall
Hello everyone!
Miyako Island is located approximately 300 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa.
What kind of image do you have of Miyako Island?
Some of you may say, "I've never heard of ......," while others may have visited many times, attracted by the beautiful ocean and white beaches.
First, let me briefly explain about the island of Miyako.
Miyako Island, an island far to the south of the mainland, has a subtropical climate and is always warm throughout the year.
Even during the winter months of December through February, there are many days with a maximum temperature of 20°C or higher, making the environment comfortable enough to spend the daytime with only a short-sleeved shirt without problems.
The most unique feature of Miyako Island is its beautiful, clear blue ocean, known as "Miyako blue.
When asked about the color of the ocean, most people probably think of blue.
But the actual ocean is often colorless, gray, dull, or at best, a slightly dull blue, right?
But the sea of Miyakojima is not a metaphor, but a real blue.
This is an environment created by a complex interplay of several factors.
One of the reasons for this is that the waters around Miyako Island are a coral reef colony.
When coral reefs break up, they have the property of turning into white-tinted debris.
And there are huge deposits of coral debris in the sea around Miyakojima.
Therefore, the seabed near Miyako Island is pure white, and this white seabed strongly reflects sunlight from the sky.
The blue wavelengths in the light reach the surface of the ocean, creating the blue color of the ocean.
Over the years, such coral fragments have also washed up on the beach as well as on the ocean floor.
The large number of white debris piled up on top of each other creates the pure white beach that is one of the characteristics of Miyako Island.
Furthermore, Miyako Island itself benefits greatly from coral.
That being said, Miyako Island was actually created by the uplift of coral reefs on the ocean floor.
As a result, Miyako Island has a flat terrain with very few ups and downs throughout the island.
This topography is one of the reasons why the sea of Miyakojima is so blue and beautiful.
There are no mountains or rivers on the island, and there is no runoff of soil, sand, or soil nutrients from the rivers to the sea.
This keeps the ocean clean because it is not polluted with mud and plankton do not gather to seek nutrients in the soil.
In other words, Miyako Island has been formed from the past to the present based on coral reefs.
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What is the Pumpkin Cave on Miyako Island!
Among the limestone caves on Miyako Island, the cave known as the Pumpkin Cave is considered one of the best tourist spots.
The component of the coral skeleton that forms Miyako Island is lime.
The lime bedrock, which has hardened as an island over the years, is being scraped by the currents of the ocean with which it is in contact, transforming itself into limestone caves.
For this reason, Miyako Island is dotted with limestone caves all over the island.
What do you think of when you hear the word "limestone cave"?
You may think of a place like the caves in ...... games, where the air is dim and musty, and bats fly around as you make your way along a steep stone path.
And since limestone caves can be found all over Japan, those of you who have been there may recall the stalactites and the cool, chilly air.
However, the Pumpkin Cave, or Pumpkin Hole as it is called, is a wonderful spot that betrays such a common image of caves.
To get to this spot, one must first go to Horaga-sen Beach in the southeastern part of Miyako Island.
Why go to the beach when you can go to a limestone cave? You may be wondering, "Why go to the beach if you want to go to a cave?
During good weather when the sea is not rough and at low tide when the water level is not high.
If you join a local tour when the above two conditions are met, you are ready to head to Pumpkin Cave.
Wearing a wetsuit and life jacket for safety, we walk along the beach dotted with rocks and coral, led by a guide.
There are places along the way where the water level comes up to the waist, but please rest assured that you will be wearing a suit that can get wet.
After walking for a while, enjoying the clear seawater and the sight of the beach, you will notice a small hole of about 50 cm in the gap between the shore and the beach.
This is the entrance to the Pumpkin Cave.
It is a short distance, but you swim in.
So tours are only conducted when the tide is low because this entrance is completely submerged at high tide.
If you are not a good swimmer, don't worry, as your body will float thanks to the life jacket.
Once inside, you will immediately see a huge stalactite shaped like a pumpkin!
The pumpkin rock that sits on top of the cave is very large, about 4 meters wide and 3 meters high, and is the origin of the cave's name, Pumpkin Cave or Pumpkin Hole.
It has a gloss and smooth shape as if it were artificially created, but it is a genuine natural product that has been nurtured over a long period of time.
The rounded shape of the cave is so mysterious that it is sometimes referred to as the "Real Dragon's Palace," a nickname based on a fairy tale.
Incidentally, it is said that it takes several years for a stalactite to grow 1 mm.
It is interesting to ponder the history of this rock, which is nearly 3 meters high, and how long it took for it to grow.
Pumpkin Cave Attractions
Let's take a look at the attractions of the Pumpkin Cave.
Thanks to its location facing the sea, it is already a fun spot just on the way there, but the inside of the cave is also full of various attractions.
(1) Dive in and make your wish come true!
This pumpkin cave is considered one of the most powerful spots on the island, and legend has it that if you climb up on the pumpkin rock at the entrance and jump down to the sea, your wish will come true.
This pumpkin cave is,It is also believed to be the place where the dragon god resides.
When you hear that this place is considered sacred in the area, don't you feel that it has great efficacy as a power spot?
If you are going to visit, you will want to dive in with a well-prepared wish.
The pumpkin stalactites are about 3 meters high, so it is roughly like jumping off the second floor of a building.
If you are afraid of jumping, you can slide down the smooth rock surface, but we encourage you to try diving if you can.
The experience of diving into the sea in the cool air is exhilarating even without making a wish!
In order to dive, you need to climb the stalactites.
You can climb to the top of the rock on your own, but some tours offer a ladder or rope to pull you up.
If you are not confident about climbing large rocks, you may want to contact the tour operator in advance to see if ladders or ropes are available.
(2) Overwhelming presence
There are many limestone caves in Japan where beautiful and interesting stalactites can be seen, but the pumpkin stalactites found here are among the best in Japan in terms of presence.
In most limestone caves, the main attraction often appears after a short while in the cave, but at the Pumpkin Stalactites, visitors can enter the cave half-immersed in the sea and come face to face with them immediately.
Inevitably, you will look up from below, and the overwhelming size will surely take your breath away.
The rock is also very photogenic, not only in shape but also in color, as it is quite close to a pumpkin and looks very humorous.
The area where the pumpkin stalactites are located is in deep water, so you will have to swim standing up to get close to the stalactites, but as mentioned above, there is no danger of drowning because you are wearing a buoyant life jacket.
(3) "Swimming, climbing, jumping," full of athletic elements
Hearing the term "limestone cave exploration" may make you feel that it is less exciting than standard marine activities such as SUP, sea kayaking, and snorkeling, but that is not true!
The extraordinary experience of swimming and entering the cave is the most thrilling of all.
In addition, the point where the pumpkin stalactites, synonymous with this cave, are located is only the entrance.
The limestone caves continue deeper and deeper, where visitors can see a wide variety of stalactites and enjoy waterfalls in the spring water.
In addition, the cave is full of athletic elements that require full body movement to conquer the cave, including jumping from the top of the pumpkin stalactites!
It is the perfect spot to forget about everyday life and refresh your body and soul.
4) A limestone cave in the sea! A real dragon's palace!
The Pumpkin Cave is sometimes referred to as the Real Dragon's Palace.
That being said, you may be thinking, "Isn't this just a common tourist hype?" Some may think, "Isn't it just a common tourist hype?
However, the Pumpkin Cave has a number of distinctive elements that set it apart from other limestone caves and are the basis for its sobriquet.
The first thing that makes it unique is its small entrance.
Normally, limestone caves on land are somewhat proportional to the size of the interior and the size of the entrance.
There are places with narrow entrances and wide interiors, but most of them are unstable, dangerous, or located deep in the mountains where they cannot be easily accessed.
On the other hand, the Pumpkin Caves have a narrow entrance and a wide interior, but it is easy to enter if you choose to do so at low tide, and the structure is stable and very low-risk.
Also, as I mentioned above, the clarity of seawater on Miyako Island is extremely high.
The seawater that fills these limestone caves is also beautifully clear, and when the sunlight shines through and touches the surface of the water, it sparkles and shimmers, illuminating the entire area inside the caves.
In particular, the best position is to look back toward the entrance from a slightly secluded position. If you can find the right position, you will encounter the most fantastic space of all.
The beauty of the water is unique to Miyakojima, an island of coral, and is an advantage that cannot be experienced in any other place.
There are many reasons why it is called a power spot, and if you join a tour, you can hear many stories from the guide.
If you visit, you will surely feel the persuasive power of its reputation as the Dragon's Palace.
Recommended Pumpkin Cave Tour
In order to visit the Pumpkin Cave, it is basically necessary to join a local tour.
We would like to introduce our recommended tour plans!
Explore the mysterious "Dragon's Palace"! Pumpkin Cave Caving
We began with a simple tour that focused on caving into the Pumpkin Cave.
For protection and safety reasons, the caves can only be visited by tour.
Tours are not offered due to poor sea conditions or tidal conditions, so you will want to make sure you don't miss out when the timing is right.
On the way to the limestone caves, visitors can observe marine creatures left behind by the ebb tide up close.
You may encounter colorful tropical fish, nudibranchs, and moray eels, and you will not be bored along the way.
After arriving in front of the limestone caves, as I mentioned above.
You can enjoy the nature of Miyako Island to the fullest, such as finding freshly born stalactites called "birth rocks" and being hit by spring water.
The last stop on the tour is the much-anticipated dive through the Pumpkin Hole.
It may be scary, but you should be brave enough to jump in, thinking that you are making a wish come true!
Sea turtle watch and pumpkin hole exploration! Dragon's Palace Set
The alias of Pumpkin Cave is a real dragon's palace.
Wouldn't you like to feel more like Urashima Taro from a fairy tale?
Speaking of the Dragon's Palace, the sea turtles that guide Urashima Taro are indispensable.
Sea turtles come ashore every year to lay eggs on the beaches of Miyako Island, which has an excellent environment.
At certain spots, there is a high probability of encountering sea turtles. This tour plan includes snorkeling in the ocean, where there is a high probability of encountering sea turtles, and caving in a limestone cave.
In the extremely clear waters of Miyakojima, even swimming sea turtles are not to be missed.
If you approach gently and do not scare them, you will be able to swim side by side with sea turtles and take two-shot photos with them.
After playing with sea turtles to your heart's content, head to the Pumpkin Cave.
Since the sun does not shine inside the pumpkin, visitors can take a break and enjoy it as well.
Don't forget to jump off the Pumpkin Hole at the end of your tour!
No.1 Popularity! Miyako Island Premium 1 Day Plan
The last plan introduced here is a hearty combination of three activities: SUP/canoe cruising, snorkeling, and caving at the Pumpkin Cave.
This is one of the most popular tours at Miyakojima PiPi because it allows you to fully enjoy Miyakojima in one day!
You can choose between SUP and canoe cruising.
SUP is a board activity that originated in Hawaii and goes well with the emerald green waters of Miyakojima!
Because it is extremely photogenic, it is also ideal for taking photos for uploading to various social networking sites such as Instagram.
Canoes are very stable, so beginners and those with children can participate safely.
It can also accommodate two people, so couples can enjoy it as well.
Next, we will move on to snorkeling and taste the Miyako blue ocean with our whole body.
It is a two-tiered system that allows visitors to experience the charms of the sea to the fullest, with SUP and canoeing for a taste of the ocean and snorkeling for a taste of the undersea world.
You will then move on to the Pumpkin Caves, where you can enjoy the caving described above to the fullest.
Let's make full use of the day and enjoy Miyako Island to the fullest!
summary
We have introduced the Pumpkin Cave on Miyako Island. How was it?
The Pumpkin Cave, a limestone cave in the ocean, has giant pumpkin-shaped stalactites sitting in it, and visitors can swim, climb, and jump into them for an athletic experience.
Also, the pumpkin hole jump is essential to make your wish come true, so be sure to give it a try!
It is hard to find another spot where you can have fun exploring while aiming for good fortune and even supplementing your beauty regimen.
If you are visiting Miyako Island, you should definitely make your way to the Pumpkin Cave!
Thank you for reading to the end.
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