I visited “Sankakuten (triangular point)” in Irabu Island, which has been attracting tourists’ attention recently as a viewing spot overlooking the beautiful scenery, while staying in Miyako Island this year.
“Sankakuten” is located between Cape Funausagibanata Observatory Facility and Sarahama Village in the north east of Irabu Island, where you can access via Irabu Bridge from Miyako Island. Please refer to the following map for the place of “Sankakuten”:
Most people use a car or a motorbike to visit “Sankakuten.” Unfortunately, my rental motorbike was broken in Tarama Island, so I decided to go to “Sankakuten” by bus and on foot from Miyako Island.
I got off the bus at Sarahama Port in Sarahama Village located in the east of Irabu Island, and walked along the ocean to the direction of Cape Funausagibanata Observatory Facility (north west) from the village. It is approximately 3 km to “Sankakuten” from Sarahama Port, which was shorter than I expected. And it is approximately 1.5 km from “Sankakuten” to Cape Funausagibanata Observatory Facility. A country road continues after passing through the village.
Sarahama Village
A road to “Sankakuten (triangular point)”
Flowers in Irabu Island
There is no direction board, etc. around “Sankakuten,” so it is hard to find the entrance. Aqua “BIKE” letters on the road serves as a landmark for the entrace. I took the following photo from the direction of Cape Funausagibanata Observatory Facility to Sarahama Village (opposite to the direction of travel). Walk a little from this mark, and you can find the entrance to “Sankakuten” on the left side (ocean side) of the road.
Aqua “BIKE” letters on the road
“Sankakuten” has not been developed as a tourist spot, so there is no parking facility around it; however, there are lots of spaces on the road as long as it is not inundated with tourists.
I heard curbs on the entrance of “Sankakuten” are painted in green, but I hardly could recognize them due to weathering, or maybe due to aged eyes.
Entrance of “Sankakuten”
I walked through a narrow path surrounded by trees, and arrived at the viewing point of “Sankakuten.” There was a point on the path where a tree blocked my way, and I couldn’t pass through it without bending down quite a bit.
Walking through trees
A beautiful view from “Sankakuten”
The ocean viewed from “Sankakuten” is absolutely beautiful. I had visited Cape Funausagibanata Observatory Facility which is a famous view spot in Irabu Island before, but I can say “Sankakuten” has a more dynamic view. It may be better to bring a pair of binoculars as you may be able to see sea turtles from here.
Sea viewed from “Sankakuten”
“Sankakuten” is on a high cliff, and there is not much space on it. There is no handrail, etc., so be careful not to surprise people! If you fall from the cliff, there is no doubt you will go to the other world. And I think the only consolation is that you can depart while watching the beautiful sea of Irabu Island.
“Sankakuten” is located on a high cliff
It was windy on the day I visited “Sankakuten,” so my feet were trembling on the high cliff. If you are afraid of heights, be careful not to go to the edge of the cliff. I heard rumors on the internet that “Sankakuten” became off-limits (maybe because of the concern for falling accidents), but I was able to enter as of November 2017.
You can see Cape Funausagibanata Observatory Facility in the distance on the left side of “Sankakuten.” It looks like that a big bird (Butastur indicus) is about to fly off in the big sky.
Cape Funausagibanata Observatory Facility on the left side
There is a Butastur indicus object on the edge of the cape
It was interesting to see that the shape of the sea under my feet looked just like a triangle. By the way, “Sankakuten (triangular point)” means a point of reference when conducting a triangulation (ask Google if you want to know about triangulation).
Scenery on the right side (direction to the village)
It was cloudy and rained occasionally on this day, so unfortunately, I couldn’t see the clear blue sky, but still the blue sea of Irabu Island viewed from “Sankakuten” was stunning. I was bit scared of the heights, but at the same time I was healed by a beautiful scenery created by nature. Being satisfied, I left “Sankakuten” again on foot.
“Sankakuten” is one of the best places to fully enjoy the beautiful sea of Irabu Island, so if you come to Irabu Island, I strongly recommend you visit it!
