Ishigaki Island - Road Milepost -
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
What Is a Road Origin Marker?
A historic site located on the way to the Yaeyama Museum, after turning at the corner of the Yaeyama Post Office from the 730 Intersection.
"Road Origin Markers" are markers designating the starting and ending points of roads. Under the Road Act of Taisho 8, each municipality was required to install one such marker; furthermore, in Taisho 11, specifications regarding their shape and materials were established, and approximately 12,000 of these markers were installed at the centers of municipalities.
The one in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, is famous, isn't it!
The government road milestone on Ishigaki Island in the Yaeyama Islands is a restoration of the original Taisho-era milestone.
There are also historical sites in the surrounding area, such as the ruins of a sake brewery and a monument commemorating the 100th anniversary of the abolition of the poll tax.
Directions to the Road Zero Marker
The Road Zero Marker is located about a 7-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal and about a 24-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport.
If you're coming from the Remote Islands Terminal
Exit the Remote Islands Terminal, turn right, and continue straight for a while. Pass two intersections, then turn right at the Bunkan-mae Intersection; you’ll see the road milestone on your right.
If you're coming from New Ishigaki Airport
Leave New Ishigaki Airport and head south on National Route 390.
Continue along the road for a while, then turn right at the 730 intersection.
Turn right at the Bunkan-mae intersection, and you'll see the road marker on your right.
How to Have Fun at Road Mile Markers
The Road Zero Marker is just a 1.2-minute walk from Euglena Mall, which is right outside the city center, so we recommend stopping by for a quick visit before lunch or dinner.
There are many historical sites in the area, so be sure to visit them as well.
Details of the Road Origin Marker
A road origin marker is a sign that indicates the starting and ending points of a road; there are two types: those established in the early Meiji era for the purpose of surveying road mileage, and those established during the Taisho era under the Enforcement Ordinance of the former Road Act.
Formally, the former is called a "road origin marker," while those established during the Meiji era are called "mileage origin markers."
In Okinawa Prefecture, which served as a battlefield during World War II, nearly all prewar historical records, monuments, and buildings were destroyed by fire. As a result, there are very few remaining records regarding the road origin markers established under the prewar Road Act, and it is said that the only surviving example is the Yomitan-yama Village Road Origin Marker.
The road milestone markers located at the starting and ending points of national highways and other roads were all installed during the Showa era, after World War II.
A road milestone was constructed on Ishigaki Island by the Yaeyama Islands Government in 1951 and still stands today.
In 1952, the former Road Act was enacted, establishing provisions regarding road origin markers.
However, no document in which the Chief Executive designated the location of the road milestone has yet been found.
In 1965, 13 years after the previous law was enacted, the new Road Act was enacted.
Since this Act contains no provisions regarding road origin points, it is clear that they have ceased to serve their administrative function.
The Yaeyama Islands Government Road Zero Point Marker, located on Ishigaki Island, is a historic site on the right-hand side along the road to the Yaeyama Museum—after turning at the corner of the Yaeyama Post Office from the 730 Intersection.
The road milestone on Ishigaki Island existed between 1950, when the Ryukyu Government was established, and 1952, and was constructed by the Yaeyama Islands Government under U.S. military administration.
It is a rare historical site established under U.S. guidance.
The road milestone is located in front of the Yaeyama Museum, which also features exhibits such as a restored stone pillar and plaques dating back to the Taisho era.
Unlike other road milestone markers on Ishigaki Island, the characters are engraved on a flat stone slab.
There are other historically significant sites and heritage spots in this area, so be sure to check them out while you're here.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Road Zero Marker
Euglena Mall
Euglena Mall is on the left after the road sign, pass the Bunkan-mae intersection, turn left at the first intersection, and Euglena Mall is immediately on the right.
Euglena Mall is Ishigaki Island’s largest shopping district, home to over 100 stores, and a lively mall where shopkeepers cheerfully call out to customers walking down the street.
It’s a place where you can find everything you need for daily life—from souvenirs and clothing to food—and since it has a rest area, you can stop by to take a break while sightseeing.
They sell fresh produce and items unique to Ishigaki Island, so it’s the perfect place to stock up on ingredients for a barbecue or pick up souvenirs you can only find here!
Some shops stay open until midnight, so it’s a great idea to pop in for a visit late at night.
There are all kinds of shops, so it's fun just to stroll around.
Location: 207 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 25 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport, 7 minutes on foot from the remote island terminal
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
730 Monument Intersection
To reach the 730 Monument Intersection, turn left after passing the road milestone, then turn left again at the Bunkan-mae Intersection and continue straight.
Located in the center of Ishigaki City.
It's a wide intersection where Route 390, Sanbashi Street, and City Hall Street meet, so it's easy to spot.
A distinctive feature of this intersection is a stone monument engraved with the number 730.
After World War II, Okinawa followed U.S. traffic rules, so cars drove on the left side of the road.
Following Okinawa's reversion to Japan in 1972, traffic was simultaneously switched from driving on the right to driving on the left.
That led to the intersection being named the "730 Monument Intersection."
The streets stretching in all four directions are lined with numerous restaurants and shops, making it a convenient spot where you can find just about anything.
There are plenty of places like the Euglena Mall and Ishigaki Island Village (a dining district)—which I mentioned earlier—so it’s fun to just stroll around and explore.
Location: 3 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 5 minutes by car from the remote island terminal
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: None
inside the palace grounds
Inside Miyara, turn left after passing the road origin marker, go past the Bunkkan-mae intersection, and turn right at the next intersection.
Drive straight for a while, and when you see Ikehara Shuzo Co., Ltd. on your left, turn left just before it.
The garden, created by Shuri gardener Gusukuma Pechin, is truly beautiful.
Dotted with Ryukyu limestone formations, this area is characterized by a beauty unique to the Yaeyama Islands and has been designated as a National Scenic Spot.
The Miyara Residence is the only residence that preserves the architectural style of the samurai class of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and it is a very valuable site designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Address: 178 Okawa, Ishigaki City
Phone Number: 0980-82-2767
Details of the Road Origin Marker
| Location | Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, JapanView in MAP) |
| Access | About a 7-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal |
| parking lot | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| toilet | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| Business Hours | - |
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