Unveiling the Mysterious Location of Kingdom Hearts' Destiny Islands

The Destiny Islands in the Kingdom Hearts series have always been recognized as a significant setting, and revisiting this original tutorial level brings back some of the most memorable moments from the entire franchise. However, upon closer examination of the finer details of Destiny Islands, there are subtle indications that suggest the possible real-life Pacific locations that may have influenced these iconic islands.

Several factors contribute to understanding the origins of the Destiny Islands in Kingdom Hearts, but one aspect that particularly stands out is the distinct variety of plants and trees found in the area. While these flora possess a tropical essence, leading many Western fans to assume that the setting is based on island destinations like Hawaii or the Caribbean, there are certain regions in Japan that bear a striking resemblance.

Palm Trees on Destiny Island

The palm trees on Destiny Islands play a significant role in creating the tropical atmosphere for the opening of Kingdom Hearts. While palm trees are commonly found in tropical regions worldwide, the specific palm trees chosen for Destiny Islands, such as the Satakentia liukiuensis, firmly establish the location in southern Japan. The Satakentia liukiuensis, characterized by its white trunk and alternating fronds, can be found in various parts of East and Southeast Asia. However, it is primarily found around Ishigaki and Taketomi, two islands located at the southernmost tip of the Japanese Archipelago. Consequently, Sora's adventure begins near the edge of Japan, approximately a hundred miles east of Taiwan in the East China Sea.

The specific location can also be deduced from a cutscene in Kingdom Hearts 2 during the Roxas segments. In this scene, Kairi reminisces about Sora after the events of Chain of Memories and gazes towards the play island where their journey began. From the mainland where they reside and attend school, Kairi sees the island in the late afternoon, with the sun setting just beside it. This observation suggests that the play island is located to the west and slightly south of the main island. These coordinates align with the real-life Ishigaki and its neighboring Taketomi Island.

Paopu Fruit's Real-Life Inspiration

The paopu fruit, which has become an iconic symbol in the Kingdom Hearts series, is unfortunately not a real fruit. However, it is inspired by a real-world fruit called the carambola, also known as the star fruit. The star fruit comes from a tropical plant, which aligns with the tropical climate of the Destiny Islands. Specifically, the Averrhoa carambola plant, from which the star fruit grows, is primarily found in Malaysia and Taiwan.

The Averrhoa carambola trees are known for their remarkable size, reaching heights between 16 to 39 meters. Interestingly, this range falls within the size range depicted for the trees in Kingdom Hearts, where the paopu fruit originates. However, it's important to note that in reality, the Averrhoa carambola is more of a shrub and has a significantly higher number of leaves compared to the palm tree portrayed in the game. These observations indicate that Destiny Islands may draw inspiration from Ishigaki, which would place the Shibuya-inspired Quadratum in close proximity to Sora's real-world home.

Kingdom Hearts is currently available for PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.