Kuroshima—Higashi-suji Settlement—

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What Is the Higashi-suji Settlement?

This village is located in the heart of Kuroshima and is home to all the facilities necessary for daily life, such as a post office and a traditional performing arts center.

In addition, the village streetscape, lined with coral stone walls, has a very charming atmosphere.

In addition, the hibiscus and bougainvillea blooming here and there are beautiful, and they create a striking contrast with the red-tiled roofs.

Directions to the Higashisuji Settlement

The Higashi-suji settlement is located about a 28-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Kuroshima Port.

From Kuroshima Port, head straight east on Prefectural Route 213 (Kuroshima Port Line).

If you continue on, you'll come to the Higashi-suji settlement.

How to Have Fun in the Higashi-suji Community

Details on the Higashi-suji Settlement

The Higashi-suji settlement is the heart of Kuroshima and is characterized by houses typical of Okinawa—low-pitched, single-story structures surrounded by stone walls.

This design is unique to Okinawa, where typhoons frequently make landfall, and it helps mitigate the effects of heavy rain and strong winds.

In addition, the deep eaves—designed to keep rain from blowing in—are a distinctive feature of Okinawan architecture; these eaves are called “amahaji.”

Kuroshima, known as “Heart Island” because of its heart-shaped outline, is also famous as “Cow Island” for its population of nearly 2,200 head of Kuroge Wagyu cattle, compared to its human population of around 200.

As a result, most of the island consists of pastureland, and the Higashisuji settlement is where most people live.

It is said that there are about 50 units.

It retains many of Okinawa’s traditional features, with unpaved sandy roads designed to improve drainage, and is divided by stone walls built from stacked coral stones.

The house is a traditional Yaeyama-style home with red-tiled roofs.

Since Taketomi Island and Kuro Island are said to be the places where these quintessentially Okinawan landscapes are best preserved, I recommend checking out both islands if you want to experience Okinawa’s traditional scenery.

Although the village on Kurojima retains a landscape typical of the Yaeyama Islands, there are actually very few shisa and hinpun there.

This is because the custom of placing shisa on rooftops is a cultural practice that emerged within the last 100 years, so you won’t find any shisa in the Higashi-suji settlement, which dates back to before that time.

Similarly, himpun are not found in traditional estates.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Higashi-suji Settlement

Kuroshima Post Office

The Kuroshima Post Office is the only post office on Kuroshima and is characterized by its red-tiled roof, which is typical of the Yaeyama Islands.

There's an old-fashioned round red mailbox in front of the station.

Like post offices on the mainland, it is open on weekdays and has an ATM.

Not only on Kuroshima but also on the various islands of the Yaeyama archipelago, postmarks tend to be distinctive, so it’s a great idea to send a letter as a souvenir.

Monument to the "100 Selected Roads"

The "100 Best Roads in Japan" monument was erected to commemorate the selection of Prefectural Route 213 (Kuroshima Port Line)—which runs from in front of the Traditional Performing Arts Hall on Higashi-suji to Kuroshima Elementary and Junior High School—as one of Japan’s 100 Best Roads.

Stone walls separate each plot around this monument, and the red-tiled roofs create a nostalgic scene.

Once you leave the village behind, a rural landscape of ranches and pastures unfolds before you, allowing you to fully enjoy the scenery unique to Kuroshima.

Also, back in 1986, when it was selected as one of the “100 Best Roads,” it was an unpaved road covered entirely in white sand, and it was truly beautiful.

Minami-Kamiyama Ogoku (Paihamemawan, Paikamemawan)

Minamikamiyama Ogoku (Paihame Mawan, Paikame Mawan) is located on the right-hand side if you head straight southeast from the Higashisuji settlement.

The belief in the spiritual powers of two sisters at Minamikamiyama Ontake is known as the Onari faith, and this Ontake became the site of their prayers.

There is a story about the sisters mentioned above that has been passed down.

It is said to have become a sacred site known as Tabi-Utaki because the sisters provided spiritual protection through prayer when their brother was in danger.

He is also revered as the god of bountiful harvests and good health.

Details on the Higashi-suji Settlement

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