Higashi Hennazaki is the narrow, reef-fringed cape at the southeasternmost tip of Miyako Island, jutting into the Pacific like a fin. The cape is about two kilometres long and barely a hundred metres wide at its narrowest, with a walking path running its full length past a lighthouse to a viewpoint at the tip. The surrounding coastal waters are National Park, and the clarity of the sea here — with reefs visible through turquoise shallows on both sides of the path — is extraordinary.
The cape is one of only three sites in Okinawa Prefecture to hold the National Place of Scenic Beauty designation. It is also a good place to spot red-tailed tropicbirds and other seabirds that nest on the offshore rocks. The lighthouse is open to visitors and worth climbing for the panoramic view. Allow 45 minutes to walk out and back.