Ishigaki, Japan Photo Gallery

My first sight of Japan. It was not the best of weather, because it was raining.

But rain didn't stop us from exploring a cave. This was a beautiful walkway to the entrance.

Brian at the entrance.

A tree crab. This guy was a lot bigger than I expected!

Entering into another world.

This was called Ishigaki Stalactite Cave.

Doug exploring with his flashlight.

The cave was a limestone cave and I liked the design on this stalagmite.

They had led lights in one area of the cave that were changing colors making it very pretty.

Another with the lights.

Doug, Margaret, Gwen and Brian at the cave.

This looked like wet sand piled up in columns.

This is Ochitetamaruka (literally meaning "I won't fall"). The word for falling, Ochiru, in Japanese also means to fail entrance exams. So this rock has become a good luck symbol for students preparing for exams.

This cave has the fastest growing stalactites in Japan. The usual growth speed is 1ml in 10-30 years, it is 1ml in 3 years in this cave.

When Doug lit up this cave with his flashlight, we saw a few bats fly,

Brian exploring the cave.

Gwen in the cave.

Emerald Sea Observatory Deck in Banna Park.

The plants are trying to take over the observatory.

The view from the observation deck.

Ishigaki town from the view point.

Another view, in which we were glad that it was not raining, but notice the very low hanging clouds.

The city from the view point and you can see the ship from here.

SAN DRIP GARAGE where we had lunch.

Our local lunch spot.

Our beef dish that Brian loved.

Same photo as this morning, but it had cleared up a little and the water is bluer.