Easter Lily and Many More Charms of Ie Island (I)

Just 30-minute ferry ride from Motobu Port in the North of Okinawa Main Island takes you to “Ie Island – Flower Island with Sunset and Romance”♪

I went about a month ago.  

It was a day trip on March 17.

A new ferry “Ieshima,” which entered service just two days before, March 15, 

is a bigger than the old one, with a capacity of 500 passengers. 

It is a barrier-free facility with an elevator and a rolling prevention function.

This promises you a very comfortable ride! 

The physically-challenged can also enjoy the ride feeling safe and easy.

Speaking of Ie Island, we cannot go without visiting Mt. Gusuku, which is also called “Iejima Tacchu.”

This is a rest area in the middle of the mountain. 

You can get here by bus or car and start climbing to the top. 

Souvenir shops are also available♪

In this picture, you can see a monument to commemorate the visit of

then-Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko (presently the Emperor and Empress) to Ie Island. 

They stopped by here on the way to the closing ceremony of Ocean Expo on January 17, 1976.

Near the monument, there is a monument inscribed with Ryuka, a Ryukyuan poem. 

Then-Crown Prince Akihito presented this Ryuka to Ie Islanders later on. 

“Firugayuruhataki 

Tachurugushikuyama

Chimunishinubaranu

Ikusayunukutu.”

According to Mr. Shuzen Hokama, President of Okinawa Culture Institute, he could interpret as follows:

“Fields stretch out before me shows a peaceful atmosphere as if nothing had happened here before

Towering Mt. Gusuku behind me stands quietly as if nothing had happened here before

I feel unbearably sad 

When I think of such a horrible battle occurred in this place."

Ryuka is very difficult for people from mainland Japan, even for many Okinawan people, 

because you have to use all Okinawan language to compose a Ryuka. 

Then-Crown Prince Akihito took many years leaning by himself and wrote several Ryukas for 

Okinawan people. 

I am deeply touched by his great compassion for Okinawan people, who were horribly sacrificed 

during the battle of Okinawa.

This is how you look up Mt. Gusuku from the starting point. 

Ready? Let’s go up!

Just a 15-minute walk from here, you can reach the top, 172 m above sea level♪

Here we are at the top of Iejima Tacchu!

What a marvelous landscape!

The whole Ie Island, the whole Motobu peninsula, the surrounding islands..

This beautiful 360 panoramic view has been waiting for us♪

When you come to Ie Island, please experience this wonderful feeling!

This is Lily Field Park!

Now, “Ie Lily Festival” is held in this vast park of 86,000 ㎡,

where about 1 million Easter Lilies delight visitors’ eyes.

As for the blooming condition, please check the photos of the following link.

(Sorry! The site is written in Japanese.)

<http://lilyboo2009.ti-da.net/index_1.html>　（Ie Lily Festival Official Blog）

According to a news program, the lilies are full bloom this week♪

When I visit the park on March 17, they just shot out buds. 

The buds of Easter Lilies are also cute♪

During this Golden Week, Ie Island will be full of life and beauty.

Everybody, don’t miss it!

I will introduce some more charms of Ie Island. Please look forward to Part 2 the next week♪