Ishigaki Island - Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum -

Ishigaki Island Tourist Information

◆Ishigaki Island for sightseeingRental car required.Oh my god!!!
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.

Ishigaki Island Car Rental Ishigaki Island Tours offers easy comparison and reservation of rental car plans for Ishigaki Island! It takes about 3 hours to go around Ishigaki Island by car. If you want to visit all the sightseeing spots efficiently, you need to rent a car! There are plans that include free pick-up from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, car navigation system, no need to return a full tank of gas, and even child seats. We also introduce other means of transportation other than rental cars! (29 total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!

Ishigaki Island Rides (Bike Rental & Bicycle Rental) Activities There are many other ways to get around in Ishigaki Island☆ Ishigaki Island Vehicle Activity Feature Ishigaki Island is dotted with attractive spots such as beautiful ocean, mountains, and observatories where you can overlook the magnificent nature. With such favorable conditions, how can you not go driving touring in Ishigaki Island [...]. (20 in total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

About the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum

A museum near the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal commemorating Mr. Shinzen Ohama, a local hero of Ishigaki Island.

Shinzen Ohama was a legal scholar and educator from Ishigaki City who also served as the seventh president of Waseda University.

The memorial hall opened in December of Heisei 9, and a bust of Shinzen Ohama stands in the center of the courtyard.

The exhibition room (free admission) features photographs, documents, and personal effects related to Shinzen Ohama and Ishigaki City’s honorary citizens, among others.

In addition, to contribute to regional revitalization and the development of education and culture, the facility features a multipurpose hall and training rooms (available for a fee) that are suitable for seminars, conferences, and other events.

Directions to the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum

The Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum is located about a 25-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport and about a 3-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, turn right at the sixth T-intersection, and continue along Miminari for a while.

Turn left at the T-intersection where Route 209 joins, then turn right at the T-intersection after crossing the Miyara River, and turn left immediately afterward.

Continue straight along the road, turn right at the intersection where the goat meat processing and sales facility is on your right, and then turn left at the intersection where Route 87 joins the road.

Follow the road for a while, then turn left at the 730 Monument intersection. As you head south on Route 390, you’ll see the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall on your left.

Across the street is the Yashima No. 2 Parking Lot.

If you're coming from the Remote Islands Terminal
Exit the Remote Islands Terminal, turn right, and turn right at the 730 Monument intersection.

If you head south on Route 390, you'll see the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall on your left.

Details on the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum

The Nobumoto Ohama Memorial Hall was built in December of Heisei 9 to honor the achievements of Professor Nobumoto Ohama, a legal scholar and educator from Ishigaki City and the 7th President of Waseda University, who devoted himself to the reversion of Okinawa to Japan.

A bust of Professor Shinzen Ohama stands in the center of the museum’s courtyard, and the exhibition room features photographs, documents, and personal effects related to Professor Shinzen Ohama.

In addition to exhibition spaces, there are facilities available for rent, such as a multipurpose hall and training rooms.

The opening hours for the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum are as follows.

Facilities at the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum
Exhibition Hall (1st Floor): 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Rental Facilities (2nd Floor): 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Museums near the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum

There are various historic sites and museums in the vicinity of the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum, offering plenty of opportunities to learn about the history and culture of the Yaeyama Islands.

Here’s an introduction to the museums located around the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum.

Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum

To get to the Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall, exit the memorial hall and turn right.

Turn right at the 730 Monument intersection, then turn left at the intersection in front of the Bunkan, and you'll find it on your right.

Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum: The Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum was established in Showa 47 as part of the projects commemorating the return to the motherland.

In addition to historical materials such as archaeological and folklore artifacts from the Yaeyama Islands, the museum also displays works of art such as Yaeyama jofu and Yaeyama-yaki.

This is the perfect spot to learn about the history and culture of the Yaeyama Islands.

Minamijima Folk Museum

To get to the Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall, exit the memorial hall and turn right.

Turn right at the 730 Monument intersection, pass the intersection in front of the branch library, and turn left at the third T-intersection.

After turning right at the end of the street, turn left immediately—it's on your right.

The Minamishima Folk Museum is a museum that displays archaeological artifacts, folklore materials, folk tools, pottery, and other items.

These materials were collected by Takayoshi Yoshino, who served as governor of the Yaeyama Civil Administration, with the aim of preventing the outflow of cultural properties.

This museum is also the former residence of the 9th-generation Tōki family of Miyara, which stood for approximately 180 years.

They also sell commemorative items and folk crafts, so it’s a good place to look for souvenir ideas.

Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum

To get to the Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Museum, exit the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Museum, turn right, and head northwest on Route 390.

When you see the FamilyMart Ishigaki Shin-ei Store on your left, turn left at the first intersection, then turn left again and continue straight ahead—you'll find it on your left.

The Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum is located about an 8-minute drive from the Remote Islands Terminal and about a 15-minute drive from Ishigaki Airport. Since it’s located across from the Yoshitaka Gushiken Memorial Museum, we recommend visiting both.

Established in 1999 as a branch of the Peace Memorial Museum on the main island of Okinawa, it features various exhibits related to wartime malaria.

During World War II, residents of Ishigaki Island and Hateruma Island were forcibly relocated to Iriomote Island; because their new home was a malaria-endemic area, 3,647 people died across the Yaeyama Islands.

The exhibition uses photographs and other materials to present the history and reality of wartime malaria, as well as the process leading up to its eradication after the war.

It is known as a place where visitors can truly appreciate the importance of peace and the horrors of war—a sentiment unique to Okinawa.

Ishigaki City Traditional Crafts Museum

To get to the Ishigaki City Traditional Crafts Museum from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Museum, exit the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Museum, turn left, and head south on Route 390.

When you see Galopine et Galopin and the Othello Inn on your left, turn left at the next T-intersection.

Continue straight along the road, then turn right at the intersection of Sangyo Road and Undo Park West Street.

As you head east on the industrial road, you’ll see the Ishigaki City Traditional Crafts Museum on your left.

The Ishigaki City Traditional Crafts Museum features exhibits on Yaeyama Minsā, a traditional craft of Ishigaki Island, including kimonos and looms.

In addition to selling Yaeyama Minsā, the facility offers tours of the workshop and screenings of the production process, so you can learn about the intricate steps involved in making them.

Since they’re small items, they won’t take up much space in your luggage, so you can easily buy them as souvenirs.

Southern Island Wildlife Museum

To get to the Southern Island Wildlife Museum from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall, exit the memorial hall and head north on National Route 390.

Turn right at the 730 Monument intersection, then turn left at the intersection in front of the post office.

After passing the first intersection, you'll see the Southern Island Wildlife Museum on your right.

As its name suggests, the Southern Island Wildlife Museum features exhibits and sells merchandise related to the animals and plants found on southern islands with tropical and subtropical climates.

We carry a selection of insect-keeping supplies and insect-themed goods, focusing on the unique creatures and plants found on Ishigaki Island, such as coconut crabs, insects, the spotted scorpion, and the Sakishima scorpion.

If you spend 3,000 yen or more, you'll receive a free strap or accessory, so be sure to check it out!

There are so many unusual creatures that you’ll find yourself getting hooked on them before you know it.

MIRA Museum of Photography

To get to the MIRA Museum of Photography from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall, exit the memorial hall and head north on National Route 390.

Turn right at the 730 Monument intersection, then turn left at the intersection in front of the Bunkan building and continue straight ahead; you'll find it on your left.

The MIRA Photography Museum, which opened on June 20, 2018, is the first photography museum on Ishigaki Island.

I hear the museum is named after Mira, the brightest star in the constellation Cetus.

The first-magnitude star Mira is a variable star whose brightness changes with the seasons; its name is derived from the words “mirror” and “miracle.”

It also conveys the idea of projecting human emotions onto elements of the natural world, just like this first-magnitude star.

It's very stylish. There are many works on display where you can sense the attention to detail in every aspect—from the printing techniques and framing to the lighting, wall colors, and even the way the pieces are displayed.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum

Euglena Mall

To get to Euglena Mall from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall, exit the memorial hall and head south, then turn right at the end of the road.

When you see the local restaurant "Iso" on your left, turn left at the next intersection, then turn right at the end of the road.

Turn left at the 730 Monument intersection, and you'll find it on your left after a short drive.

Euglena Mall is Ishigaki’s largest shopping district, home to more than 100 stores, and during the day it’s a lively place filled with the cheerful voices of shopkeepers.

It’s a one-stop spot where you can grab a meal, buy daily necessities and souvenirs, and even take a break.

That's why this shopping district is popular with both locals and tourists alike.

Southern Gate Bridge

To get to the Southern Gate Bridge from the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall, exit the memorial hall, head south on National Route 390, and turn right at the intersection at the Southern Gate entrance—the bridge will be right in front of you.

The Southern Gate Bridge spans Minaminohama Town, an artificial island, and is a symbolic bridge known for its striking blue color.

Because it's so distinctive, it's often used as a meeting place.

One side of the Southern Gate Bridge has been converted into a sidewalk, so you can cross it on foot; there is also a large parking lot on the other side, so you can access it by car as well.

There is a staircase leading to the very top of the Southern Gate Bridge, and the view from the top is one of the most spectacular on the island.

In addition to sunrises, sunsets, and starry skies, the city is nearby, so you can also enjoy the night views.

Since it’s such a romantic spot where you can enjoy such beautiful scenery, it’s the perfect place to propose!

Gushiken Youtaka Monument

To reach the Yoshitaka Gushiken Monument from the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Hall, exit the memorial hall and head northwest on Route 390. Turn left at the first intersection and continue straight ahead; you will arrive at the Remote Islands Terminal on your left.

There is a monument to Yoshitaka Gushiken in front of the pier at the Remote Islands Terminal.

The Yoshitaka Gushiken Monument is a monument depicting Mr. Gushiken, a native of Ishigaki Island.

Mr. Gushiken is an amazing man who was once a professional boxer and set a legendary record by successfully defending his WBA Junior Flyweight World Championship title 13 times in a row.

To commemorate this honor, a monument has been erected in front of the pier at the Remote Islands Terminal. Since the golden monument is backlit in the morning, we recommend visiting in the afternoon if you’d like to take commemorative photos.

Details on the Shinzen Ohama Memorial Museum

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