The Top of the landscape
At 227 meters above sea level, the summit of Mt. Nishiyama in the north of the island is Tokashiki’s highest point. (Rather confusingly, nishi means north in Okinawan but west in standard Japanese!) The summit has two viewpoints, one in the west and one in the east. From the western point, the panoramic view encompasses the islands of the Zamami cluster (Zamami, Amuro, Aka, Geruma and Fukaji), then Tonaki and Aguni, and, Kume. This is probably one of the most spectacular and extensive views in Okinawa. From the eastern viewpoint, you can see Kuroshima, Maejima, Keiseshima (Chibishi) and Okinawa itself. Centuries ago, this was the site of the last of a string of beacons lit to signal when ships bearing tribute and envoys from China were approaching the main island of Okinawa.