CONTRIBUTED BY STEVEN SABLAN

Hedo Misaki

Kohgoh Sekirinzan (also known as Asumui) is located in the mountains at the very northern tip of the island.

Asumui - Reaching for the Sky
If you’re standing on Hedo Point looking out to the ocean, do an about face and look up to the mountains – that’s Asamui.
Asumui Trail

Asumui is an Utaki, or ancient Okinawan prayer site. The place is notable not only for its stunning views of the surrounding area below, but also for the incredible rock formations that date back over 200 million years.
Asumui Amphitheater Pond
It is widely considered to be the geologically oldest place on the island – quite literally, the birthplace of Okinawa. For centuries this collection of mysterious rock formations was one of the most important worship sites for priests, priestesses, and Ryukyan kings.

One look at these formations and one can understand why the ancients considered Asumui to be the home of the gods. In more recent years, the land was purchased by a private company and turned into a tourist attraction. For about $15, you can purchase a ticket and board a bus from the parking lot at the base of the site to the start point of the walking tours. You can pick up an English language pamphlet with information of each route where you buy your tickets.  If you have a fear of heights or unsure footing, I recommend you think twice before visiting Asamui.

There are four self-guided walking tours. One path is designed specifically for the wheelchair-bound or those with trouble walking and consists of a wide, well maintained boardwalk. The other three, though, cut through the rocks and look as if they are they same paths the ancient shamans used 25 centuries ago. Some of them have ropes at points to help you steady your footing. The other adventure is the bus ride from the parking lot to the trailhead. The “road” is unimproved, narrow, and extremely bumpy. If you’re up to it, though, I highly recommend Asamui. It’s uniquely Okinawan and an experience you’re not likely to forget.

Asumui - Perseverance

Kohgoh Sekirinzan Park

Address: Japan, 〒905-1422, 沖縄県国頭郡国頭村字宜名真1242−1

GPS Coordinates: 26.8458752, 128.25529419999998

Directions: Point your car north on Route 58,  and go as far as you can in that direction to get to Kohgoh Sekirinzan Park. Driving to Hedo Point on route 58 from the west side of the island, when you get to the intersection where you would take a left to go to Hedo, take a right and follow the signs.

9 COMMENTS

  1. This park was wonderful! It was by far one of the top 3 places I have visited on island. My 4 and 8 year olds did the yellow and red trail, stopped for shave ice and then did the green trail back to the parking lot. The food at the cafe looked excellent, too! It definitely felt other-worldly at times, and we witnessed a group having a prayer ceremony in one location. Although it must make money from tourists, there is still a send of the sacred.

  3. I just went with my family this past Sunday. This place was amazing. We loved the hike. We did the red trail that had ocean views and did the green Banyan trail to return to the parking lot. My 6 and 3 year old did it, although we had to carry them for the last 15 min of the green trail because they were tired. We were there for 1.5 hrs and took lots of pictures of the amazing Banyans and rock formations. We cannot wait to return! Totally recommend it if you are staying in Okuma or looking for something to do up north. It was only a 25 min drive from Okuma and totally worth the visit.

  4. This was a great place to hike – my wife and I did the Yellow and Red trails, and then the Green trail back to the parking area. You can see Cape Hedo point from the top of the Red trail – a MUST for those who like to hike!

  6. We went here last summer when our children were just turned 2 and 3 1/2. We did carry them and help them a bit, but we didn’t have a backpack carrier and they did pretty well. Though the trails are rocky walk throughs, they’re not too long and with a few rest breaks we were good. Its a lot of fun and some gorgeous views.