Banna Park | A nature park where you can fully enjoy the nature of Ishigaki Island!

Many people associate Ishigaki Island with the ocean, but we shouldn't forget the charm of its mountains. In particular, at the prefectural forest park "Banna Park," the view from the observation deck is even better than the ocean itself.

Banna Park is home to many butterflies and plants that can only be found in the Yaeyama Islands, and because it's in the mountains, the temperature is cool, making it a paradise for nature lovers! For those in the know, Banna Park is a better place to enjoy Ishigaki Island than the sea. It has recently been attracting more attention since Hirata Kanko started offering Segway tours.

1. What is Banna Park?

Banna Park is a prefectural forest park developed around Mount Banna, located in the northern part of the city. Most of the park can be explored by car, and in terms of size and area, it is one of the largest parks in Okinawa Prefecture.

Furthermore, the park boasts a wide variety of observation decks and attractions, making it highly recommended for families. It also features walking paths suitable for seniors and a baseball field enjoyed by everyone from elementary school children to adults, making it the most well-equipped park on Ishigaki Island and beloved by locals!

< Click here for a park map >

The park is divided into five zones, each with its own purpose and theme. For example, Zone C is a "forest walk" where you can enjoy birdwatching, including crested serpent eagles, and a refreshing spot where you can view ponds and lakesides from a deck terrace. Zone D is a "children's play area" with plenty of attractions and play equipment where children and adults can play together. It is truly a forest park with a variety of thoughtful features.

In fact, it's extremely difficult to explore all of Banna Park, even if you spend a whole day there. Even locals who frequent the park rarely visit every single spot. Banna Park, a mystical paradise on Ishigaki Island, is truly a hidden gem. I highly recommend you all go and check it out!

It's a very large park!

2. Highlights of Banna Park

Without a doubt, the observation decks are the main attraction. There are more than 10 observation decks in total, each with its own designated theme.

First, there's the "Emerald Sea View Observation Deck," a red-tiled building offering panoramic views of the Yaeyama Islands. From here, you can see Ishigaki city, the emerald sea, and Taketomi Island and Iriomote Island.

©OCVB
Adjacent to it is the "Starry Sky Observation Deck," designed for stargazing. At night, the stairs and floor of the observation deck are decorated to light up like stars, making it a popular date spot.

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Next is the "Migratory Bird Observation Station," used for observing crested serpent eagles. It's a particularly distinctive observation deck, designed to resemble a bird's eggshell.

Another attractive feature besides the observation deck is the "Seishika Bridge." It's characterized by its pale pink color, themed after the seishika flower, the official flower of Ishigaki Island. Below the bridge lies the "Ishigaki Dam."

And then there's the "Children's Interaction Plaza," which the children have been eagerly awaiting. Here, there are play structures suitable for toddlers and upper elementary school children, including a giant roller slide and castle-like play equipment. There are more than 15 different types of equipment, both large and small! It's such a large and dynamic play area that parents will have a hard time just keeping up with their kids.

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This is a house where you can observe the Great Mormon butterfly, a designated natural monument of Ishigaki City. Inside, many beautiful black and white Great Mormon butterflies can be seen flying around. Please be sure to close the entrance so they do not fly away.

©OCVB
This is the "War Malaria Memorial," a monument to pass on the memory of that experience to future generations. The most common war casualty on Ishigaki Island was malaria infection due to evacuation. The day malaria was eradicated through the combined efforts of science was celebrated throughout the island, and a monument was even erected.

Finally, there are the "chance encounters" with animals unique to the deep forest. Each encounter is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a moment that truly conveys the charm of nature. The photo shows a White-breasted Waterhen, a relative of the Okinawa Rail, but other birds such as the Crested Serpent Eagle, Ruddy Kingfisher, and even a Pheasant may appear.

3. Access to Banna Park

Banna Park is located approximately 10km north of Ishigaki city center. Recommended modes of transportation include cars, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles. Admission is free, however, access to some areas is restricted at certain times of the day.

If you are coming by car... From Ishigaki city center to the south entrance of Banna Park is approximately 5km, taking about 6 minutes. From New Ishigaki Airport, it is approximately 20km, taking about 25 minutes to reach the north entrance of Banna Park. Incidentally, the distance from the south entrance to the north entrance is approximately 8km, taking about 10 minutes. You can drive around the park, but you should generally drive slowly. Please be careful of children running out into the road and driving too fast on downhill slopes. *The recommended setting for navigation is the phone number "0980-82-6993" for the north entrance only.

If you are coming by bus... From Ishigaki Island Bus Terminal, take an Ishigaki Island local bus (Yoshihara Line, Westbound Iharama Line, or Westbound Loop Line) and get off at Yaemori Tower. The South Exit is a 2-minute walk from there. The North Exit is a 30-minute walk from there.

If you come by bicycle, you can explore areas that are inaccessible by car, but be aware that the course, such as the Banna Skyline, is very hilly, so even those confident in their physical fitness should be careful.

4. Summary

So, what do you think? Banna Park is a paradise where you can fully enjoy the charm of Ishigaki Island, yet it's a surprisingly little-known hidden gem. As it's a prefectural park, the restrooms and cleaning are well-maintained, so women and children can use it with peace of mind.
Also, since it's a mountainous area, the main concern is the "habu" snake. To be honest, there's no guarantee that there won't be any habu snakes. However, habu snakes inhabit not only Banna Park but all over Ishigaki Island, so young children in particular should not go into the bushes or on walks alone.

As a side note, most of Banna Park can be viewed on Google Street View. You can use it to prepare beforehand, or simply to enjoy the scenery. When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to experience the charm of Banna Park.

The "blue hour" as the city is viewed from Banna Park at dusk.