Engetsu Island (円月島) is located in the Rinkai Sea Bay in Wakayama Prefecture. The official name of the island is Takashima (高 嶋), its length from north to south is 130 meters, from west to east 35 meters, and the height of the island is 25 meters. The island is a sea cave. In the very center of the island there is a hole in the shape of a full moon - hence the unofficial name of the island - Engetsu (literally translated as "island of the full moon").
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| Engetsu Island |
The island has been included in the list of the top 100 places to watch the sunset. The best time to watch the sunset here is around 6:30 pm in the summer and around 4:30 pm in the winter. Since the island is composed of sandstone and siltstone, it is easily destroyed. Due to the wind and waves, the island has changed a lot in recent years.
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| Engetsu Island |
Well, as the sandstone rocks of the island have become less stable over the years, in 2011 the arch of Engetsu Island was artificially repaired to make it earthquake resistant.
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| Engetsu Island |
Boats with a transparent bottom float towards the island, so the guidebooks strongly recommend going on a boat trip to see tropical fish and corals through the transparent bottom of the boat. Boats leave from 8:45 am to 4:10 pm. The fare is 1,500 yen for adults and 750 yen for children.
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| Engetsu Island |
I met the group at one of the points overlooking the island. And after sunset, we accidentally found a family restaurant - Otaru Reina Maru, where we dined with the whole crowd.