Yonaguni Monument, Japan

by Briana Scarborough

Diver swimming over the Yonaguni Monument

 In 1985, Kihachiro Artake, a young diver searching for dive sites, discovered an underwater mystery. This mystery was the Yonaguni Monument which could also be called the Yonaguni Pyramid. The Yonaguni Monument is located off Ryukyu Islands in Japan. A few years after the discovery, Professor Masaaki Kimura became interested and went to explore this Monument.

The monument is made of sandstone and mudstone which dates back 20 million years ago. The Yonaguni Monument stretches close to 4,000 kilometers. This monument is a diving location for people interested in swimming with hammerhead sharks. It has a staircase with flat sides.

Yonaguni Monument’s Stairs

There have been arguments that this monument could have been man made by Masaaki Kimura. As stated on http://www.yonaguni.ws/ “The flat parallel faces, sharp edges, the right and precise obtuse angles of the formation would indicate that the monolith was carved by a man.” Many researchers consider the discovery of the Yonaguni Monument to be similar the lost continent of Atlantis. Atlantis was “destroyed” around 9500-9600 B.C. Many believe that the Yonaguni Monument resembles a lost civilization. Although this hasn’t been proven, many still believe that Yonaguni could be a discovery of Atlantis. Masaaki Kimura is more convinced after each dive he takes that this monument is the remains of Atlantis.

Dr. Robert Schoch believes that the Yonaguni Monument is in fact naturally made. He says, “I’m not convinced that any of the major features or structured are man-made steps or terraces, but they’re all natural.”. He continues to argue that earthquakes or anything caused by mother nature could result in the Monument’s change in features. Robert Schoch believes that there is no evidence that could prove that this monument is man made.

In the video “Yonaguni Underwater Monument” divers show the monument. They talk about the surroundings and size of the monument. A diver states, “I want divers around the world to see this great view”. People who have dived and saw this monument are very astounded by the view.

Yonaguni Underwater Monument from REISEbazaar on Vimeo.


Works Cited:
Christie, Ben. “ Marine Geologist discovers A Supposed 10,000 Year Old Yonaguni Monument, Dubbed Japanese Atlantis” Collective Evolution 13 June 2014 https://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/06/13/marine-geologist-unearths-a-supposed-10000-year-old-yonaguni-monument-dubbed-japanese-atlantis/ 15 October 2018

Faiia, Santha. Yonaguni: The Main Monument and its Surroundings. 1999, Graham Hancock http://grahamhancock.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/1-5.jpg

Smith-Dickson, Deborah.  “The Yonaguni Monument: Is it the Lost City of Atlantis?” Scuba Diver Life. 14 December 2017 https://scubadiverlife.com/yonaguni-monument-lost-city-atlantis/ 15 October 2018

Links for further research:
Yonaguni
http://www.yonaguni.ws/
Information based on the Yonaguni Monument

National Geographic
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/09/yonaguni-jima-japan-underwater-city/
Gives information and pictures about the Yonaguni Monument.

A Hot Cup of Joe
https://ahotcupofjoe.net/2009/03/the-ancient-underwater-ruins-of-yonaguni-japan/
Information describing the monuments features.