Usubari Abu | A City-Designated Burial Cave at Nagayama on Irabu Island (Miyako)

Usubari Abu is a Miyakojima City-designated historic site (designated 25 June 1994), a vertical-shaft cave (abu) at Nagayama on the south side of Irabu Island. It is located about 300m north from the middle of Farm Road 78, in the sugarcane fields and forest on the north-east side of Kanamara Abu. It is about 35m deep, with a cave mouth about 2m wide and 4m long, and a first landing point about 14m directly below. Many human and animal bones are buried in the gravel layer inside, and it is an archaeologically valuable burial site where a child's jawbone thought to be 8 to 10 years old and 21 teeth were also confirmed. There is no tourist development (stairs, handrails, signboards), and there is no lighting inside the cave. The city's official explanation of the adjacent Abugaa clearly states that the angular gravel on the walls is on the verge of collapse with a rockfall danger. It is a plain vertical shaft in the fields and forest, and keeping to confirming the location and viewing from outside is the basis.

Full article about this spot

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Map & Access

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Basic Information

Location (Island)Irabu Island
AddressNagayama, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Hours / Opening time24 hours (always viewable as an outdoor historic site. However, it is undeveloped with no lighting or signboards).
ClosedNone (always open)
FeeFree
ParkingNone (no dedicated car park. As it is along the farm road, keep to temporary stopping where you will not obstruct surrounding traffic or farm work).
ContactMiyakojima City Board of Education (Lifelong Learning Promotion Division) 098-72-3764

Visiting tips & what to bring

It is an undeveloped vertical-shaft cave about 35m deep. Descending inside carries an extremely high risk of rockfall and falling, and as it is also an academically and spiritually important site with human bones, general entry is inappropriate. Keep to viewing and confirming the location from outside, and absolutely do not enter the cave. The cave mouth is covered with vegetation and the edge is hard to see, so take great care of your footing and do not get too close to the mouth. The surroundings are sugarcane fields and farm road with no shade, toilets or vending machines. In summer, measures against insects such as horseflies, the habu snake and mosquitoes, and long sleeves, long trousers and non-slip footwear for walking the grass are essential. As there is no dedicated car park, be considerate so as not to obstruct farm work or vehicle traffic. Inquiring with the Miyakojima City Board of Education (098-72-3764) before visiting is recommended.

For families with small children

It is unsuitable for families with small children aged 0 to 6. It is an undeveloped vertical-shaft cave about 35m deep, with the cave-mouth edge hard to see for vegetation and a very high risk of falling. There are no handrails, railings or signboards, and as an academically important site with human bones, it is not suited to casual entry. With children, do not approach, and we recommend places you can spend safely such as Toguchi-no-Hama or hotels. If you must confirm the location, a guardian must always hold hands and not let them near the cave mouth.

FAQ

Q.Can you go inside Usubari Abu to view it?

A.No. It is an undeveloped vertical shaft about 35m deep, with a high risk of rockfall and falling, and as an important site with human bones, entry inside is inappropriate. Keep to viewing and confirming the location from outside.

Q.Is a fee or booking needed to view it?

A.As an outdoor historic site, viewing is free and no special booking is needed. However, as it is undeveloped with little guidance, inquiring with the Miyakojima City Board of Education (098-72-3764) before visiting is reassuring.

Q.Are there parking and toilets?

A.There is no dedicated car park, toilet or vending machine. As it is along the farm road, keep to temporary stopping where you will not obstruct farm work or traffic, and take care of toilet needs in advance at the village or facilities.

Q.What should I wear?

A.As you walk through grass and fields, long sleeves, long trousers and non-slip footwear are essential. In summer, also prepare measures against insects and creatures such as horseflies, mosquitoes and the habu snake, and sun shade and drinks.

Q.What is its historical value?

A.It is a Miyakojima City-designated historic site designated in 1994, where many human and animal bones are buried in the gravel layer inside, and a child's jawbone and 21 teeth were confirmed, a valuable burial and archaeological site.