Ishigaki Island—Site of a Former Sake Brewery—

Scenery at the Site of the Former Sake Brewery

Panoramic View of the Former Brewery Site	Explanatory Sign
Distant View

Source:4travel

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What Is a Former Sake Brewery Site?

A historic site located very close to the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal, near the Yaeyama Museum and the Centennial Monument Commemorating the Abolition of the Head Tax.

A “kuramoto” was a branch office established by the Shuri Royal Government to govern the Yaeyama Islands; in the local dialect, it is called “Ura.”

It was originally located on Taketomi Island, but was moved to Ōkawa Village in 1543 and then relocated to its current location in 1633.

It is said that from that point on, through the Meiji period and for the 248 years leading up to the abolition of the han system and the establishment of prefectures, officials were dispatched from the Shuri Royal Court for two-year terms.

Subsequently, the Yaeyama Island Office was established on the brewery grounds as a branch office of the Okinawa Prefectural Government.

The road south of the brewery is said to have been a major thoroughfare—approximately 500 meters long and 10 meters wide—that ran from the west side of Mamori Utaki to the brewery, built to welcome officials arriving by boat.

Directions to the Site of the Former Sake Brewery

It is located about a 24-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport and a 7-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal.

If you're coming from New Ishigaki Airport
After leaving New Ishigaki Airport, turn left and head south on Route 390. Cross the Todoroki River and turn left at the sixth T-intersection.

Continue along the road for a while, turn left at the T-intersection where Route 209 joins, turn right at the Y-intersection immediately after that, and continue on.

Follow the road, and when you see the goat meat processing and sales shop on your right, turn right at the intersection.

Turn left at the intersection where Route 87 joins the road, and continue south along the road for a while.

Turn left at the intersection in front of the Bunkan, and you'll find it on your right.

If you're coming from the Remote Islands Terminal
Exit the Remote Islands Terminal and turn right.

After passing the 730 Monument intersection and turning right at the intersection in front of the Bunkan, you'll see it on your right.

Things to Do at the Site of a Former Sake Brewery

You can see it on your way from Ishigaki Airport to the Remote Islands Terminal.

The monument includes an explanation of its history, but since there’s nothing else there, a quick stop of about five minutes is plenty.

Details on the Site of the Former Sake Brewery

The site of the former government office is a historic site located in front of the Yaeyama Museum; it served as a branch office for governing the Yaeyama Islands.

When Nishitō, who had supported King Shō Shin for 25 years, was recognized for his meritorious service and appointed to the position of head of the Taketomi Ōshuri Ōyako, he established a warehouse on Taketomi Island, his hometown.

Subsequently, because it was difficult to maintain Taketomi Port, the settlement was relocated to Ōkawa Village on Ishigaki Island in 1543.

In 1633, the brewery was relocated to a site adjacent to the current Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum—the former site of the residence of Motomiya Ryōtō Ishigaki Nagamasa, who was executed during the Yaeyama Christian Incident.

In 1771, due to the severe damage caused by the Meiwa Tsunami, the village temporarily relocated to Bunrei in Okawa Village, which is situated on higher ground, and then moved to Funna in Okawa Village in 1775.

In 1815, they returned to the site next to what is now the Yaeyama Museum.

The site of the former Yaeyama Island Brewery, located next to the Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum, is now a parking lot.

An information sign has been installed on the roadside of this parking lot, and surveys have confirmed the presence of ruins from a 17th-century sake brewery site.

Near the Yaeyama Museum, there is also a monument commemorating the 100th anniversary of the abolition of the poll tax.

Located on the grounds of the Yaeyama Museum, this stone monument was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the abolition of the poll tax, which had weighed heavily on the islanders from the early modern period through the late Meiji era.

The tax applied to people aged 15 to 50; men were required to pay in rice, and women in cloth. It appears to have been an extremely harsh tax, so much so that some people even fled to avoid it.

Since the transition to the new tax law on January 1, Meiji 36, the poll tax had been abolished, and a celebratory gathering was held in the Yaeyama Islands on that day.

This monument was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that event.

Monuments have also been erected in Taketomi Town, Ishigaki City, Yonaguni Town, and other locations.

In addition, stone walls from the former distillery site still remain near Kaiji Beach on Taketomi Island, and the site has been designated as a historic site by Okinawa Prefecture.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Site of the Former Sake Brewery

Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum

The Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum, located at the site of a former sake brewery and along Route 390, is a museum where visitors can learn about the history and culture of the Yaeyama Islands.

The main building opened in Showa 47 as part of the commemorative projects marking Okinawa’s return to Japan, when the Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum was established.

The museum houses and displays a wide range of cultural assets, including archaeological and folklore artifacts from the Yaeyama Islands, as well as Yaeyama jofu and Yaeyama-yaki pottery.

Euglena Mall

To get to Euglena Mall from the former brewery site, turn left as you exit the site.

After passing the intersection in front of the Bunkan, turn left at the next intersection, and you'll find Euglena Mall on your right.

Euglena Mall is Ishigaki Island’s largest shopping district, lined with over 100 stores, and it’s a place where the lively calls of the shopkeepers echo throughout the area.

With a wide selection ranging from everyday items to souvenirs, it’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

In addition to Okinawa’s classic souvenirs, there are also souvenirs unique to Ishigaki Island.

The market also sells fresh produce, including Ishigaki beef and island vegetables—all local specialties of Ishigaki Island—so it’s the perfect place to pick up ingredients for a barbecue!

There’s also a rest area, so come recharge after a tiring day of sightseeing or touring.

Nobuizumi Ohama Memorial Hall

The Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum was established to honor the achievements of Shinzen Ohama, former Chancellor of Waseda University, who devoted himself to Okinawa’s reversion to Japan after World War II. The museum displays documents related to Okinawa’s reversion, as well as Shinzen Ohama’s famous quotes and maxims.

Admission is free, making it the perfect spot for anyone interested in Okinawan history or visiting museums.

Since it's located in the city center, the surrounding area is full of restaurants and hotels, making it a perfect location.

Details on the Site of the Former Sake Brewery

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