Yonaguni Monument

Okinawa, Japan

The Yonaguni Monument is a fascinating underwater structure located off the coast of Yonaguni, Japan. It was discovered in 1986 by a local diver named Kihachiro Aratake, who was exploring the area for potential dive sites. The monument is made up of a series of large, flat rocks that appear to have been cut and placed in a deliberate pattern. The structure is approximately 100 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 25 feet tall, and is located in water that is about 100 feet deep.

The monument quickly gained attention from researchers and the media alike due to its mysterious origins and the controversy surrounding its true nature. Some believe that the structure is a man-made monument, potentially dating back thousands of years, while others argue that it is a natural formation that has been altered by the forces of the ocean.

Those who believe that the Yonaguni Monument is man-made point to several features that suggest intentional construction. The rocks that make up the structure are arranged in a series of steps and terraces, and there are several distinct carvings and markings on the surface of the rocks. Some of these carvings resemble human faces, animals, and even a pyramid-like structure.

On the other hand, those who argue that the Yonaguni Monument is a natural formation point to the fact that the area is prone to earthquakes and underwater landslides. They suggest that the rocks may have been shaped by these geological forces over time and that the carvings and markings are simply coincidences.

Despite the ongoing debate, researchers continue to study the Yonaguni Monument in an effort to better understand its true nature and origins. Some have suggested that the structure may have been built during a time when the sea level was lower and that it may have been part of a larger complex of monuments or structures that are now submerged beneath the ocean.

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Visit

Yonaguni Island happens to be the most remote of all the Okinawan Islands with three flights a day from Ishigaki and one from Naha. There is a ferry that departs Ishhigaki twice a week for the four-and-a-half-hour trip.

The monument itself is in relatively shallow waters though there are strong currents that require some diving experience before visiting.

For more information visit Yonaguni Monument Official

Sources

“Yonaguni Undersea Ruins Museum”, yonaguni.jp