What is the mystery that happens at "Obakezaka," a mysterious spot on Kume Island?

Mystery Spots on Kumejima
What is "Ghost Hill"?

Kume Island is a remote island with a beautiful ocean where great nature remains.

Tourist attractions and healing spots created by dynamic natural forces have gained a reputation for offering tourists a mystical experience.

Kume Island is dotted with sightseeing spots and power spots created by the blessings of nature, but have you ever heard of the mysterious "Obakezaka" slope?

Some may think it is a haunted place based on the impression they get from the name.

In this issue, we will introduce "Obakezaka" (ghost slope) on Kumejima.

It is a place where you can have a magical experience that stimulates all five senses, so please check it out.

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Mysterious Phenomena on Haunted Slope

The strange experiences that can be had at Haunted Slope are not spiritual, but rather visual wonder experiences caused by optical illusions.

It is a place where you can experience a slope that appears to be downhill but is uphill or uphill but is downhill, a phenomenon academically known as the longitudinal gradient illusion.

This is a magical experience where you can roll a ball down a slope that appears to be going down and it comes back to your hand, making it a great place for children as well as for those who want to shoot a mysterious video.

There are other such ghost slopes in Japan, but they are usually located in areas with heavy traffic, so it is often not possible to enjoy the slope illusion as slowly as on Kumejima.

The Obakezaka slope on Kumejima Island is a place with less traffic, which allows visitors to experience the wonder more slowly than other obakezaka slopes.

However, it is not entirely free of cars, so be aware of your surroundings when visiting.

Worldwide, such places are known as gravity hills or magnetic hills.

Since many people visit this place as a power spot or healing spot, it is also a good place for those interested in such things.

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How to enjoy Haunted Slope

At a quick glance, it is a ghost slope that looks like a normal slope, so try one thing before you leave without realizing it is a ghost slope.

One thing that is done is to visit in a rental car and put the gear in neutral and release the brake.

The car will then start moving on its own, creating a magical experience.

You will shout out because it is a strange experience that looks like an ascent but is in fact a descent.

The starting point is the end of the road where the sign for the Haunted Slope is erected, so go to the other side and make a U-turn.

It is located about 20 minutes from Kumejima Airport, so enjoy a leisurely drive while sightseeing at Obakezaka.

Since there are many people who also visit the area by car to experience the wonders of the area, be sure to be safe and share the sightseeing with others.

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Basic Information

• Address: 588 Gushikawa, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa
• Access: It takes about 10 minutes by car from Kumejima Airport
• Admission fee: None
• Parking: None
• Restrooms: None (no restrooms in the area, so make sure to use them beforehand)

 

Sightseeing spots around Obakezaka

If you go to Obakezaka, please visit the surrounding sights together to enjoy sightseeing.

Here are some of the sightseeing spots around Obakezaka.

It is recommended to rent a car to visit the area, as it is a sightseeing area that can be toured while driving.

If you are planning to visit Haunted Slope, please check it out.

 

Mifgar.

Mihu Gar is a tourist spot with a tradition that "if you worship it, you will be blessed with a child.

This spot, characterized by vertical holes created when uplifted rocks collide with each other, is popular as a healing and power spot.

Because it was created by a volcano, the place is filled with natural energy.

The people of Kume Island have long called Mihugaru "woman rock," and when they are unable to conceive a child, they visit here to worship the rock.

Such word of mouth has spread throughout the country, and the place is now a popular tourist spot.

From mid to late June, the sunrise is exactly in the middle of Mihga, attracting many photographers and tourists.

If you are visiting at this time of year, get up early and visit Meehuger.

The landscape is beautiful in other seasons as well, and you can see beautiful meifugars with tephra lilies in bloom.

When visiting here, shoes or thick-soled marine shoes are recommended due to the rugged rocky terrain.

Be careful not to wear heels or flip-flops, as they can cause unexpected injuries.

There is a large parking lot and stores in the area.

It can be used for restroom breaks, etc., so it is a good idea to stop by on the way to Obakezaka.

 

Basic Information

• Hours of operation: 24 hours
• Address: Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa
• Admission fee: None
• Parking space available, etc.: Yes

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the Uesu family

The Uezu family (Uezu-suke) is an old family house said to be descended from the lord of Gushigawa Castle, which flourished on Kumejima.

The Uezu family has served as the jicho-dai (village chief-like role) on Kume Island for many generations and taught the islanders various things so that they would not suffer from hunger.

Typical of them, they are said to have supported Kumejima's industry by spreading the Kumejima Tsumugi silk production method and the cultivation of tea and cotton yarn to the islanders.

Built around 1700 and designated as a National Important Cultural Property, this facility is currently not open to visitors inside.

However, there are tours available to observe the house and surrounding plants from around the house, so those who wish to take their time and enjoy the sights are encouraged to join a tour and visit.

With Okinawan-style red brick roofs and stone walls surrounding the houses, visitors can feel the history of Kume Island just by visiting the place.

Highlights of the mansion include architectural specifications that incorporate feng shui, such as fukugi trees surrounding the Ryukyu limestone stone walls and stone digging to ward off evil spirits in various locations.

You can enjoy the typical Okinawan scenery just by strolling around the area, so please stop by on your way to Obakezaka.

If this facility is temporarily closed, it is difficult to see what is inside, so check the map or other information before visiting.

 

Basic Information

• Hours: 9:00-18:00 (or anytime if you just want to stroll around the exterior)
• Address: 816 Nishime, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa
• Admission: Adults 300 yen, Junior high school students 200 yen, Elementary school students 100 yen
• Parking available, etc.: Yes (or none if closed)

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Gushigawa Castle Ruins

The ruins of Gushikawa Castle (Gushikawa-joiseki) are the remains of a castle whose sides were surrounded by cliffs.

The date of construction is unknown, but white and celadon porcelain from the 14th to 15th centuries have been excavated, suggesting that the prototype of the castle would have been built in the 15th century.

It is a place of historical importance, as the land has had trade with China and other countries since this period.

In the past, large-scale excavations have been conducted and signs have been erected in various places.

If you visit this sightseeing spot with it as a landmark, you will be able to enjoy sightseeing like a walk through the history of Kume Island.

The castle, built near the Utaki, is surrounded by cliffs on three sides, and it is said that when the castle fell, people fled from the cliffs with cloths hanging down to save their lives.

The collaboration of the beautiful scenery and the fallen ruins of the castle is spectacular and well worth seeing.

The walls that surrounded the castle were also made of coral limestone and Ryukyu limestone.

The castle walls piled with those rocks are on an impressive scale, so please stop by.

Shoes are also recommended when visiting here.

It is not safe to visit in heels or flip-flops.

 

Basic Information

• Hours of operation: 24 hours
• Address: 432 Nakamura, Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa
• Admission fee: None
• Parking space available, etc.: Yes

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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!

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summary

The Haunted Slope is a place where visitors can experience wonder through optical illusions.

We recommend using a rental car for the experience, or bring your own rubber ball to roll.

The area is also dotted with tourist attractions.

It is recommended to make a day for sightseeing other than marine leisure activities to enjoy Kume Island.

Enjoy a wonderful trip to Kumejima by making a sightseeing plan to visit Obakezaka while touring the various tourist attractions.

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