Tanaga-gumui, Kunigami Village Okinawa

Tanaga-gumi is one more of Okinawa’s natural treasures; it is a crystal clear pond of fresh water fed by a cascading water fall, sometimes referred to as Aha Falls. Tanaga-gumui is fed by the Fuku River and is a popular place to have a refreshing swim after the short hike it takes to get there.

Tanaga-gumui was named after a species of fresh-water shrimp that once lived in the pond, but unfortunately the species is now extinct. Because Tanaga-gumui is deep and clear, a popular activity is to dive off the slippery rocks high above the pond. Unfortunately, this activity results in several deaths each year.

Directions: From Naha Airport head North on Highway 58 towards Nago. Continue through Kadena Circle and stay left. Go through Nago and continue past the entrance to Okuma Resort. About 5.5 kilometers past Okuma Resort will be a sign for Route 2. Turn right onto Route 2 and continue through the mountains until you reach Route 70. Turn right onto Route 70 and go about 3.5 kilometers until you see a sign (for Tanaga-gumui). Turn right onto a small access road. Park beside the road and walk to the falls.