---
title: Ie Island and Mt. Gusuku
url: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/notes/ie-island-and-mt-gusuku/
lang: en
journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/okinawa-sakura/
---

# Ie Island and Mt. Gusuku

A little of each town’s story　/　Motobu, Okinawa

An island about 5 kilometers west of the Motobu Peninsula, forming the village of Ie. The sharp peak rising in its eastern part is Mt. Gusuku, known as the Ie Island Tatchu and the island's symbol; the island's highest point is 172.2 meters. I could see its outline from the pier at Bise and again across the sea at dusk.

## This moment in the journey: Drawn by the fukugi trees and the emerald sea

I sat on the veranda and pulled on my boots. Late January, the middle of winter on Honshu. I had long been curious about a cherry blossom festival held at this time of year.

Outside, the sea was shining at the end of the fukugi trees. Halfway along, a cat was sunning itself. Through the tunnel of trees, emerald shallows and a white beach opened out.

A detour to the nearby beach. The kiosk, painted blue, had a menu of shaved ice and coffee hanging outside and a whale shark painted on its wall. I walked out onto the pier and looked at the sea with a cold drink in my hand. Offshore floated Ie Island, with its peak, Mt. Gusuku. Then back along the fukugi path, and on to the festival.

![On the pier with a drink, looking out to Ie Island](https://karigurashijourney.com/img/okinawa-sakura/s35-1200.jpg)
- Sources: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/伊江島

Read this scene in the full journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/okinawa-sakura/