Fans of Japanese dramas who have seen the NHK morning Japanese drama "ちゅらさん" (translated into "Water Girl" in China) performed by Ryoko Kokuchu in 2001 are sure to be familiar with the impression of the endless sugarcane field avenue in the above picture! That's right! The outlying island that I want to introduce to you this time is the filming place of the Japanese drama "Water Girl" "Kohama Island".
What is Water Girl?
The Japanese drama "Water Girl" mainly uses Okinawa and Tokyo as the story stage to narrate the growth and love story of the heroine played by Ryoko Kunisaka, Kowa Keiri.
▋Where is Kohama Island? How to get there?
Kohama Island, known as the Belly Button of Mt. Yaeyama, is located between two large islands in the Yaeyama Archipelago (Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island) and can be reached by high-speed boat in about 25 to 30 minutes from the port of Ishigaki Island. And with an average of one boat every hour, it's a small island that's not too far away. There are currently more than 500 islanders living on Kohama Island, mostly in the two settlements of Kohama and Hosozaki.
▋What is Kohama Island?
The most famous sightseeing scene on Kohama Island, famous for the Japanese drama "Water Girl", is in the following 4 places:
Sugar Cane Field Avenue: Sugar Road
On Kohama Island, where sugar cane cultivation is the main industry, the sugarcane fields on the island account for almost half of the entire island's area, and the endless sugarcane fields can be seen almost everywhere. Among them, the sugar cane field avenue of the Japanese drama "Water Girl" is the most famous, and it has become a must-visit attraction for almost every tourist who comes to Kohama Island.
Private house "Furuhazosho": Kohagura Sou
The folk family "GuboZhuang" is the hometown of the protagonist Huili in the Japanese drama "Water Girl", although the current minjia "Gubozhuang" has been converted into a homestay and cannot be visited at will, but there are also Kanban boards for filming at that time on the outer screen, which can be taken by tourists.
Otake Observatory: Ufudaki Tenboudai
Ōtake is the highest mountain on Kohama Island, located in the middle of Kohama Island. Since Kohama Island is located in the center of the Yaeyama Islands, as long as you have the strength to climb the observation deck on the top of Mt. Ōtake, you can get a glimpse of the other Yaeyama Islands. According to the actual experience of climbing the summit, it takes about five to ten minutes to climb to reach the observation deck on the top of the mountain, but because the stairs are steep and long, you can be mentally prepared before climbing!
Seaman Park: Umicyu Kouen
Kaijin Park is located in the Hosozaki settlement area southwest of Kohama Island. UMICYU in the Okinawan dialect actually means fisherman, and it is said that many fishermen from the main island of Okinawa have moved to live here, so the Hosozaki area is full of the atmosphere of "sea people" life. The stingray-shaped observatory in the park is a great place to relax in addition to seeing the sea and overlooking Iriomote Island on the other side.
▋Mode of transportation on Kohama Island
Although Kohama Island is not big or small, the entire island is also 7.84 kilometers in size, and there are many hills on the island, so the terrain is quite undulating, and if you want to hike around the island, you may need some physical strength. To get around the island, my most recommended means of transportation are electric bicycles or motorcycles. Not only can you feel the breeze in the sugarcane countryside, but you can also get off the bus and stroll between the colonies with your feet to enjoy the simple island scenery. If you don't want to bask in the sun or are not confident in your physical strength, there are also sightseeing buses on Kohama Island (reservation required) to take you around the island.
▋A popular specialty restaurant on Kohama Island
There are many quite distinctive restaurants on Kohama Island, and the reporter introduces two restaurants that are not only introduced in the travel book, but also recommended by locals.
BOB's CAFÉ
Mainly an American style burger shop. The ingredients for each burger are very solid, and the burger SIZE is almost bigger than the average girl's face, and it feels very full to eat. In addition, the walls of the store are full of artists' signature versions, so fans who like to chase stars should not miss it!
YASHI NO KI (Coconut Tree Coffee Shop)
A coffee shop that walks in the style of painting and painting. As soon as you walk into the coffee shop, you will be greeted by the elaborate painted goods created by the boss and his wife, such as illustrated postcards and painted T-shirts. Even the illustrations on the menu are hand-painted by the owner's mother, making each meal look particularly delicious.
Lady lady hand-painted dim sum MENU
Popular meal at Coconut Coffee Shop: Brown Sugar Sundae
After reading the editor's special report on Kohama Island this time, do you really want to take advantage of the hot summer to take advantage of the Japanese drama water girl's tour tour? I believe that the nature and beauty of Kohama Island can make everyone slow down the usual pace of life and forget the hustle and bustle of the city.