Yilan Opens Three Observation Points to View Japan's Yonaguni Island

Taiwan's Yilan County has launched three new observation points designed to offer clear views of Japan's Yonaguni Island, located just approximately 110 kilometers off the coast. This initiative, strongly promoted by former Legislative Yuan President Yu Shyi-kun, aims to enhance the connection between Taiwan and its Japanese neighbor by making the distant island visible to the naked eye under favorable weather conditions.

The project involved significant investment and collaboration. The Yilan County Government secured funding from the Tourism Administration, supplementing it with its own contributions, totaling NT$17.71 million. These funds were used to improve pathways, enhance the scenic environment, ensure safety, and install telescopes at the observation sites. The three locations are situated along Provincial Highway 9D at kilometer markers 9.9 (Wu Yan Jiao) and 11.4 (Wang Na Zhi Qiu), and at kilometer marker 56.8 on the Northern Cross-Island Highway (Shihpa County Border Park).

These new facilities, which include four telescopes in total, two at Shihpa County Border Park and one each at Wu Yan Jiao and Wang Na Zhi Qiu, are expected to provide visitors with a more immersive experience. The ability to clearly view Yonaguni Island, Japan's westernmost territory, from these vantage points is anticipated to boost tourism and foster a greater sense of proximity between the two regions. The completion and recent opening of these sites mark the culmination of three years of dedicated effort by the county government.