What is Tatamiseki, a famous landmark on Kume Island, located on Okutake Island? Thorough explanation of a popular sightseeing spot created by nature

What is Tatamiseki, a popular sightseeing spot on Kume Island?

Tatamiseki, a popular tourist spot on Kume Island, offers a mysterious view that can be seen only at low tide.

Kume Island, with its rich natural environment, has a wide variety of landscapes created by nature.

Among them, many people would like to visit places known as healing or power spots.

In this issue, we will introduce "Tatamiseki," which is full of the power and healing elements of Kume Island.

Please take a look at the unique scenery that can only be found on a remote island, and use it as a reference for your travel plans!

 

Characteristics of Tatami Stone

Tatamiseki is a rocky reef (an oddly shaped rock county) with mysterious patterns that can be seen only at low tide.

Its mysterious shape, often pentagonal or hexagonal, looks like a turtle's shell, and it is also known as "turtle shell rock.

Kume Island is also famous as a habitat for sea turtles because of its clean waters.

They are often encountered while snorkeling or diving, and those who experience swimming with them will have unforgettable memories.

The islanders have long felt the importance of sea turtles, and when they saw the pattern of this place, they thought it looked like a turtle's shell, and word spread by word of mouth.

Today, it has become one of Kume Island's most popular tourist attractions, and many people visit this place in search of energetic power and healing.

 

How was the tatami stone formed?

Tatami stone appears to have emerged naturally, but it is a top view of the columnar joints.

Columnar joints are a rock form also found at Tojinbo in Fukui Prefecture and Black Sand Beach in Iceland, and are characterized by their bumpy, columnar shape.

This shape is formed when magma flowing out of a volcano cools and hardens, shrinking slightly overall and creating pentagonal or hexagonal columnar fractures.

The columnar joints of Kumejima are also made of lava and magma uplifted by magma that cooled and hardened, so it is said that one can feel the great power of the earth.

The thick columnar joints, with columns ranging from 1 to 2 meters in size, are a special place with more than 1,000 rocks spread out, a rarity in the world.

It is said to have been formed by volcanic activity about 6 million years ago, so you can feel the history of the area.

It is a place that gives various insights to the viewer as it is carved by the waves into mysterious shapes.

Eruptions can be energetic events that remind us of the birth of life.

Such earth energy is usually submerged in the mother ocean and appears at low tide to heal and empower people.

It will be a valuable place from both mystical and scientific approaches, so if you visit Kumejima, please come and see it.

 

Appears only at low tide?

Tatamiseki is a sightseeing spot that appears only at low tide.

If you want to fully appreciate the beautiful patterns illuminated by the sun, be sure to check the time of low tide on the day you visit.

To find out, please use the weather forecast website, weather forecast application, and tide graph (tide graph) application.

If your hotel or inn has a morning newspaper service, check the weather column.

If you are not quite sure how to read the low tide on a graph, etc., we recommend asking local fishermen or staff at tourist spots.

Tatami stone can be seen even at high tide.

The mysterious patterns over the water are also beautiful, with distorted turtle-shell shapes and geometric patterns.

This place has beautiful sea gradations as well as tatami stones.

You will enjoy the beautiful scenery at both high and low tide, as the mysterious pattern of the sunset under the beautiful ocean gradient is also wonderful.

This is a place where smartphone cameras and waterproof wearable cameras can be put to good use, making it an exciting place to see what photos you can take.

Also, at low tide, marine life may remain in tide pools that form when the tide recedes.

It is also a great place for family sightseeing, as it is a place where you can experience things like playing on the beach.

 

How to enjoy Tatamiishi

The enjoyment of Tatamiseki is not limited to simply admiring the mysterious patterns that appear at low tide.

Sightseeing is also a luxurious way to spend a leisurely day, feeling the power of the earth that overflows here and the healing vibrations of the shimmering waves.

Take a big deep breath and enjoy the art of the great earth.

The patterns that appear are in some places carved by the waves into hieroglyphic patterns, making this a good spot for those who like geometric patterns and divination, as well as those who are interested in art.

If photography is your hobby, this may be a place where you want to stay for hours, as the resulting photos will change depending on where you choose to shoot and the amount of sunlight.

It is also recommended for seasoned travelers to see the scenery at high tide and before low tide.

Even outside of the appearance of the Tatami stone, this place can be a scenic and beautiful place to visit.

If you like photography, we recommend photographing the tatami stones that can be seen underwater just at low tide to take beautiful pictures.

Finally, here are some notes on how to enjoy the Tatami stone.

This location has both sandy and rocky shores, so it is safe to visit with shoes or marine boots.

Visiting in heels or flip-flops may cause injury.

▼Click here for photo tours that can be taken at Tatami Stone.

 

Basic Information

Here is some basic information about Tatamiishi.

Since many tourists visiting Kume Island come here to do sightseeing, it is expected to be crowded during the high season.

By keeping in mind access, opening hours, and parking availability, you will be able to enjoy sightseeing comfortably even during busy times.

Because of the beautiful scenery, it is possible to become distracted by photography and lose sight of your surroundings.

Therefore, when visiting, please follow the rules and enjoy your sightseeing, paying attention to the tourists around you and your footsteps.

 

Access

Tatamiishi can be accessed by cab, rental car, or bus.

If you are visiting by car, such as cab or rental car, it takes about 25 minutes from Kumejima Airport.

If visiting by bus, take the airport line from the bus office on Kumejima and get off at the bus stop (in front of Nishi Okubu and Bade House), which is about 8 minutes away.

Then, a three-minute walk from the bus stop will take you to Tatamiseki.

Another option is to take the Kumejima Round Trip Bus from Kumejima Airport, which takes about 30 minutes, or walk 15 minutes from a bus stop called Eef Beach Mae.

Those who wish to enjoy a leisurely sightseeing tour may also visit by bus.

The Tatami Stone is free to visit (no fee) and can be visited at any time of the day, but it is best to visit during the daytime to see the sights, as they are so beautiful.

However, since the landscape changes with the tide, if you wish to visit at low tide, for example, it would be more comfortable to visit by cab or rental car without worrying about the time.

 

Business Hours

Tatami Stone is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As I told you earlier, the scenery changes with the tide, so if you plan to visit at low tide, check the tide in advance before visiting.

The tide may recede at night, so in such cases, please change the schedule or enjoy the view of Tatamiishi at high tide.

Tatamiseki is a beautiful and powerful place to view both ebb and flood tides.

It is recommended that you visit and sightsee when you want to.

Nearby are also Bade House (pool and spa facilities), Kumejima Sea Turtle Pavilion, and Eef Beach.

This is a great place to visit for a sightseeing tour of Kume Island, so plan your sightseeing tour with this in mind.

 

Parking Lot

Free parking for 20 cars is available at the Tatami Stone parking lot.

This parking lot is the Verde House parking lot.

Therefore, if you are visiting by rental car, park here.

Public restrooms are available nearby.

 

A rental car is recommended for sightseeing in the islands!
Book your rental car on Kumejima Island early!

A rental car is recommended for getting around on Kume Island!

It is recommended because we can move around during the trip and also at our own timing, such as early morning (sunrise), sunset, or a short trip outside to see the stars!

▼Learn more about car rentals ▼

 

summary

In this issue, we summarize Tatamiseki, a popular sightseeing spot on Kume Island.

It is a tourist destination that can be visited for its art or as a power spot, but its scenery changes dramatically with the tides.

There are several other tourist attractions in the area, so be sure to visit Tatamiseki when you come to the area.