35 recommended sightseeing spots in Taketomi Island! Recommended activity tours and model courses are also introduced!

Taketomi Island is,10 minutes by boat from Ishigaki IslandLocation of theAn island that retains the original landscape of OkinawaIt is located near Ishigaki Island. Since it is close to Ishigaki Island, even those who have a short time available, such as on the day of arrival or return to Ishigaki Island, can quickly visit and enjoy.

In addition, corona infections have recently calmed down, and many guests from abroad are visiting.

In this issue, we will introduce the main sightseeing spots on Taketomi Island, such a popular tourist spot!

Now on SALE only! Taketomi Island Sightseeing Tour
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How to get to Taketomi Island

Taketomi Island can be reached by ferry from Ishigaki Island. Among the surrounding islandsThe most frequent flights and the time required is about 10 to 15 minutes.It is.

The latest timetable is also available at
◆Click here for today's operation

⬇︎ Click here for directions to Euglena Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal.

⬇︎ Includes ferry tickets to Ishigaki Island⇄Taketomi Island!
Special Taketomi Island Rental Bicycle CourseClick here☆.

 

35 Sightseeing Spots on Taketomi Island

west pier

This pier was originally used to unload ships from Iriomote Island. The pier, with a total length of about 105 meters, played an indispensable role in the traffic of ships on the island.

It is also known for its beautiful view of the setting sun sinking into the sea and is one of the most famous sunset spots on Taketomi Island. Many people take a boat back to Ishigaki Island after enjoying the sunset here.

 

Star Sand Beach (Kaiji Beach)

Hoshi-suna beach, also known as Kaiji beach, is a beautiful sandy beach. This name comes from the star-shaped foraminifera shells buried in the white sandy beach.

Star sand is one of the typical souvenirs of Okinawa, and many people take it home with them. Please note, however, that star sand is protected and cannot be taken home!

Star sand is sold at souvenir shops, so check it out☆.

 

Kondoi Beach

The white sandy beaches and emerald green sea stretch out and can be seen all the way to the horizon. Its sparkling sea and pure white sandy beaches are as beautiful as glasswork, a typical scene of a tropical island.

The beach is shallow and the tides are gentle, and there are showers and toilets available, so children can enjoy playing in the ocean without worry.

 

sandbar that projects into the ocean, particularly in a lagoon, etc.

Located on the southeast side of the island, this beach is not as heavily visited as Kondoi Beach, but it is characterized by its tranquility and serenity.

It is an ideal place for those who want to spend a quiet and relaxing time. The clear water of this beach is also one of the most beautiful in the Yaeyama Islands.

 

Beach of Noonusha

Nunusha Beach" is located on the north side of the West Pier on Taketomi Island. There are few tourists and locals often visit the beach for a walk.

The name of this beach comes from the dialect word "nunusha," meaning "to wash cloth," as it was used to wash basho cloth, a traditional fabric of Taketomi Island, in seawater.

 

Taketomi Island Visitor Center Yubu-kabukan

Yugafu-kan is the visitor center of Taketomi Island and introduces the nature, history and traditional culture of the island. You can watch video materials in the theater with a large screen.

It is worth stopping by before visiting Taketomi Island, as it includes detailed information on recommended spots on Taketomi Island.

 

Taketomi Folk Art Museum

Taketomi Island is famous for its traditional textiles such as mincer belt and basho cloth.

At the Taketomi Folk Art Museum, you can see panels showing the production process of Bashofu and a demonstration of weaving. You can also try weaving your own coaster, which takes about 30 minutes to an hour to make a 10-centimeter square coaster.

 

Nbufuru Observatory

The name "Nbufuru" comes from the fact that the inhabitants' cows used to make a hill at night by pounding dirt and stones with their horns, on which they would bellow "Nbufuru, Nbufuru.

Based on this folklore, the hill was named after the sound of cattle. A lookout used to exist, but it disappeared at some point, but seems to have been reconstructed in recent years.

 

public prison

Seimochi Gogoku is a particularly famous Utaki on Taketomi Island, located in the center of the village. Here, the events dedicated to the god of fire and the god of agriculture are held.

In particular, the "Tanedori Festival" held in October is the largest event on Taketomi Island and is held to pray for a good harvest and the prosperity of the islanders.

The festival brings together all the islanders and is located in the village of Taketomi Island, so it can be visited while walking around on foot.

 

Birthplace of Asatoya Kuyama

Asariya Kuyama was a stunningly beautiful woman whose beauty was even described in a poem. Her birthplace is known as the birthplace of Asulya Kuyama.

The Okinawan folk song named after her, "Asatoya Yunta," is widely known as a standard sanshin tune. If you are interested, you should listen to this song once before visiting.

 

Nbufuru Hill

This is the hill where the Numbuluhu Observatory is located. The hill is said to have been built by cows according to tradition, and is relatively high in the flat Taketomi Island.

 

Kihoin Collection Museum

The History and Folklore Museum attached to Kihoin is located at the southernmost temple in Japan. Here, approximately 4,000 items are on display, including arts and crafts and folk tools handed down from generation to generation on the island.

The exhibits introduce a wide range of knowledge, including symbols from a time when there was no writing, warasan (tying ropes), and the origin of the mincer weaving pattern.

 

Saigantang Utaki (sacred site in Okinawa)

The Utaki, which enshrines Saetang, a great man born on Taketomi Island, has a unique flavor among the many nature worship and deity worship sites.

Saetang excelled in civil engineering and designed the Shuri Castle Wall and built the Sonohiyamu Utaki stone gate.

As administrative director of the Yaeyama region, he also implemented many reforms to improve the lives of the people of Yaeyama, such as providing guidance on improving agriculture and installing sundials and time bells.

 

Ruins of Taketomi Island warehouse

A kuramoto is not a brewery that makes sake, but rather an old town hall or government agency.

Near Kaiji Beach on Taketomi Island, there remains a stone wall that is believed to be the remains of a former warehouse. The area around it is a parking lot, and explanatory signs are placed along the road.

 

Akayama Park

When the Akayama clan fell to Taketomi Island as fallen members of the Heike clan, the square where the gazebo was located, which they are said to have built, is now a park.

This park is in an excellent location to overlook the entire island, and includes a star gazing stone and the Akayama Observatory.

 

private house with red tile roof

Residential villages on Taketomi Island have orange round roof tiles framed with white plaster, and lions to ward off evil spirits are set on the roofs.

This scenery is the very image of an Okinawan home, and depending on the season, bougainvillea and hibiscus flowers are in full bloom, offering a unique view of Taketomi Island.

 

monument to waterworks

The waterworks monument is erected in front of a well called Najikar, located on the south side of Taketomi Elementary School, just before Nbufuru Hill.

Taketomi Island is an island of rising coral reefs, and the lack of mountains and rivers means that water supply is always a challenge.

In 1976, a water pipe was installed from Ishigaki Water Filtration Plant to Taketomi Island by submarine water transmission, and the water supply was improved. This monument was erected to commemorate the installation of this water pipe and to convey the importance of water.

 

Nagomi Tower in Akayama Park

Nagomi no To is a viewing platform from which you can overlook the village of Taketomi Island. Since Taketomi Island has strict regulations on buildings and all buildings except elementary and junior high schools are one-story, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful red-brick buildings of Taketomi Island.

*Currently, due to its decrepit condition, it is not safe to climb.

 

Monument to Dr. Sakiyama

It is a monument located behind the Nishitang Utaki to honor Takeshi Sakiyama, a former director of Yaeyama Public Health Center, who contributed to the medical care of Taketomi Island.

 

Niisatomura Ruins

The Niisatomura Ruins are historical remains that are thought to be the origin of the settlement on Taketomi Island. From this site, valuable artifacts such as swords and ironware dating back to around the 12th century have been discovered.

Today, only the stone walls remain, suggesting that the structure of the house is different from that of past villages.

 

Dongpaisurugi Utaki

There are many Utaki on Taketomi Island, one of which is Higashi Paisaigi Utaki. This one is dedicated to the gods involved in the creation and nurturing of the island.

They are the same gods as Izanami and Izanagi in Japanese mythology.

 

lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus)

Ogi-mori is a fire guard tower that monitored tribute ships and foreign vessels passing in the vicinity of the sea, and raised a smoke signal to notify the government office called kuramoto on Ishigaki Island. It is designated as a national cultural asset as one of the Sakijima Islands' fire watchtowers.

 

Monument of per capita tax

This monument, located under the Nbufuru Lookout, was erected to commemorate the capitation tax, which was abolished in 1637.

The Yaeyama Islands once suffered from this heavy tax, and this monument was erected to remember that history.

 

Fragrant Well

Hanashiro well will be the well that functioned at the Niisatomura site introduced earlier. A village was formed around this well. When you visit the site, please visit it together with the Niisatomura Ruins.

 

Nalasa Beach

Nalasa Beach" is one of the beaches of Taketomi Island located in the direction of Ishigaki Island. It is located to the north of Aiyaru Beach, but the direction of the beach is different by about 90 degrees.

Therefore, you can watch the sunrise from Ishigaki Island. You cannot swim at this beach located on the east coast of Taketomi Island, but instead you can enjoy the beautiful scenery at a leisurely pace.

Located near Hoshinoya Taketomi, it is an ideal spot for morning walks for those staying at the hotel.

 

well

The well is named after an old village myth in which a dog wet its tail in spite of a drought.

Therefore, it has been respected for its abundant water supply, and water from this well has been used for important events such as New Year's and childbirth.

They are an indispensable part of daily life and are well-loved by the villagers.

 

Taketomi Tourist Center

Taketomi Tourist Center operates the buffalo cart, a major tourist attraction on Taketomi Island. It also serves as an information center, selling tourist attractions of Taketomi Island and local specialties.

During the buffalo cart tour, visitors can enjoy not only guided tours but also, if they are lucky, sanshin (Okinawan traditional three-stringed instrument) performances.

 

Taketomi Post Office

Taketomi Post Office is the only post office on Taketomi Island. The building has a red-tiled roof, the edges of the tiles are surrounded by white plaster, and a traditional lion to ward off evil is placed on the roof.

This building, which combines an old-fashioned atmosphere with modern functions, blends well with the landscape of Taketomi Island and is a popular tourist attraction.

 

Former Yonaguni Residence

The former Yonaguni Residence is a detached house with the main building, "Fuya," and the kitchen building, "Torra," side by side. The "Fuya" was built in 1913, and is surrounded by a stone masonry "Maiyashi" in front and a stone wall called "Gukku" in the surrounding area.

 

NPO Takidon General Information Center

This tourist information center is located in the waiting room of Taketomi Port, the gateway to Taketomi Island. Souvenir shops and food are sold at the boat passenger waiting area, which is often used for lunch.

 

Tomb of Ansariya Kuyama

This is the grave of Kuyama Asatoya, the model for the aforementioned folk song Asatoya Yunta. It stands on the way to the West Pier, so it might be a good idea to visit there as well.

 

Neilan stone

The Neelan Stone is a stone monument located between the West Pier and Kondoi Beach. Its name, "Neelan," means "Land of God Beyond the Sea.

According to legend, the gods who visited Taketomi Island tied the rope of the ship they came on to this stone and came ashore. On August 8 of the lunar calendar, this ceremony is held as "Seiyoei".

 

(Edo-period) humane prison (humourous)

It is located a little south of the village. It is one of the six most important Utaki among the many Utaki on Taketomi Island. It is one of the six most important Utaki (Utaki) among the many Utaki on Taketomi Island.

 

Taketomi Island Machinami Kan

The community center will be a larger version of a traditional Taketomi Island minka, consisting of a main building and an annex building. It has a training room, a stage, an exchange space, and an exhibition space, and you will be able to learn about the real lives of the islanders.

 

koboshi library

Koboshi Bunko is a library for children reused from an old house on Taketomi Island. It is used as a space for children in Taketomi Island to use during vacations.

Now on SALE only! Taketomi Island Sightseeing Tour
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Recommended Taketomi Island Activity Tours

Yaeyama (Iriomotejima/Taketomijima/Yubujima) Tour

For those who want to efficiently tour the remote Yaeyama islands from Ishigaki Island, the Remote Islands Tour is the best choice.

You can fully enjoy the charms of the remote Yaeyama islands, such as Iriomote Island covered with nature, Taketomi Island with its traditional townscape, and Yubu Island where you can cross the sea by buffalo.

Unlike marine activities, there is a wide age range for participation, and you don't get wet.Recommended for those who don't like the ocean.It is.

↓Click here to see the plans for which you are eligible.

Now on SALE only! Taketomi Island Sightseeing Tour
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(2) Taketomi Island Sightseeing & Snorkeling 1 Day Course

The waters near Taketomi Island are designated as Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, and its beautiful clear waters can be fully enjoyed.

You can observe colorful tropical fish and beautiful corals vividly by snorkeling. After enjoying fun in the sea, enjoy sightseeing of Taketomi Island with a free-skate tour.

Lunch is included in the tour, so there is no need to worry about lunch☆.

↓Click here to see the plans for which you are eligible.

 

(3) Free time for bicycle rental on Taketomi Island

This is a very economical, rent-a-cycle course that includes a round-trip ferry ticket from Ishigaki Island to Taketomi Island.

I went there on the day of the event and couldn't rent it, so I had to walk there... It is unbearable in the intense heat! Make a reservation in advance!

↓Click here to see the plans for which you are eligible.

 

4) Taketomi Island Sightseeing & Experience Diving 1 Day Course

In this tour, you can fully enjoy the beautiful sea of Taketomi Island by experience diving. You can participate even if you do not have a diving license, so beginners are also welcome.

Why don't you observe beautiful corals and other marine life in Taketomi's sea at close range? After that, enjoy the culture and nature of Taketomi during your free time.

Lunch is included in the tour, so there is no need to worry about lunch☆.

↓Click here to see the plans for which you are eligible.

 

5) Phantom Island + Experience Diving + Taketomi Island Sightseeing Tour

On this tour, you will land on Hamashima Island, known as the "Phantom Island," and experience its mysterious atmosphere.

In addition, after enjoying the experience diving in the nearby sea, you can freely explore Taketomi Island on a free-skate tour. You can freely choose and enjoy sightseeing spots according to your own tastes and interests.

You will also be given a return ticket to Ishigaki Island, so you can choose your return time freely.

↓Click here to see the plans for which you are eligible.

 

Example of Model Course of Taketomi Island

◆9:30 a.m.
Departure from Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal (10 minutes by boat)
◆10:00 a.m.
Arrival at Taketomi Island
◆10:30 a.m.
Buffalo Car Sightseeing

◆11:30: Lunch
◆13:00: Star Sand Beach
◆14:00: Kondoi Beach
◆17:00: Nagomi Tower in Akayama Park
◆18:00: Return to Ishigaki Island by ferry

 

summary

There are many attractive tourist spots on Taketomi Island. Not only the historical and cultural aspects, but also the beautiful tropical nature is one of the attractions.

The white sandy beach, blue sea, and fun marine activities are also unique to Taketomi Island! We hope many people will visit to experience its charm☆.

Now on SALE only! Taketomi Island Sightseeing Tour
Click here for recommended ranking