Kuroshima - Nakamori Utaki -

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 [...]. (22 in total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

What is Nahamuriwan?

Nahamuri-utaki is a sacred site located on the left-hand side just before a three-way intersection on the road leading from Higashi-suji, the central settlement of Kurojima, to the Iko Pier. The legend associated with this sacred site is as follows.

・An Anecdote About Nahamuriwan
Long ago, a god who had descended from Mount Omoto landed at Iko Beach to rest on the way to Paifuta on Kuroshima. It is said that the spot where the god took that breather is where Nakamori Utaki stands today. The place name "Iko" is said to derive from the word “ikou,” meaning “to rest.”
This site became a sacred shrine when the first Shinto priest began praying here for safe voyages and other blessings. In 2013, the torii gate at Nakamori Mitake was damaged by a typhoon and has since been removed.

How to Get to Nakamori Utaki

Nakamori Utaki is located about a 22-minute walk or a 7-minute drive from Kuroshima Port.
Leave Kuroshima Port and head south. Pass the intersection with a café called Heart Land on your left, then turn left at the first T-intersection and turn right at the end of the road. Immediately after turning right, turn left at the next intersection. Continue straight along the road for a while, and you’ll see Nakamori Utaki on your left.

How to Enjoy Nakamori Utaki

Since Nakamori Utaki is a sacred site dedicated to praying for safe voyages, it’s a great place to visit before boarding a ferry or enjoying activities at the beach. Nearby, you’ll find a café called Ikonomā and the Iko Pier, which has been designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property. It’s the perfect spot for lunch or to take in the beautiful scenery.

Details on Nakamori Utaki

Nakamori Utaki is a shrine dedicated to maritime safety located on the left-hand path just before a three-way intersection along the road leading from the Higashi-suji settlement—the center of Kuroshima—to the Iko Pier.
Long ago, a deity who had descended from Mount Omoto landed on Iko Beach to rest while on the way to Paihuta on Kuroshima. A shrine called Nakamori Utaki was erected at the spot where the deity rested. The name “Iko” was given because the deity took a rest—that is, found a place of respite—there.
This Ontake is a sacred site where people pray for safe travel, and it is said to have been relocated from Hori Village.
It is said that Manchō, the ninth-generation descendant of the Bunrin clan, introduced cattle from Tang to Kuroshima, which greatly improved agricultural management on the island and led to the development of the livestock industry. Furthermore, Manchō’s wife was the first Shinto priestess, and the site where she began praying for safe voyages and other blessings became a sacred site.
Although there was no sacred site dedicated to safe travel in Iko, there were two in Hori, which is why it is said that the Nakamori Sacred Site was relocated to Iko.
There are more than 10 utaki on Kuroshima. While on the main island of Okinawa these sacred sites are called "utaki" or "on," on Kuroshima they are called "wan." There are eight major utaki on Kuroshima, affectionately known as the "Eight Utaki," and Nakamori Utaki is one of them.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Nakamori Utaki

Iko Pier

To get to Iko Pier from Nakamori Utaki, leave Nakamori Utaki and turn left. Turn left at the T-intersection at the end of the road, follow the road for a short while, and you’ll see it ahead.
Iko Pier was designated a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2005, and from here you can enjoy a view of the crystal-clear sea. The pier, which extends straight out into the sea, makes for a stunning photo opportunity, making it a popular photo spot on Kuroshima. It has become a popular destination for both fishing and taking photos.

Anadomari-utaki

Anadomari Utaki is a sacred site dedicated to praying for safe voyages, located at Anadomari on the northeastern coast of the island.
Long ago, Sidubuji and Apareshi, brother and sister from Taketomi Island, discovered a crescent-shaped object on the southern shore of the island at Musashi Beach. It is said that they built a dugout canoe based on this shape, and this event is considered the beginning of shipbuilding in the Yaeyama Islands. Later, this boat drifted across the sea and washed ashore at Nuna Beach (Higashizaki) on Kurojima. The wreck was found by the islanders on the coast of Namadomari, and they built a new boat modeled after it—one sturdy enough for public display. It is said that they sailed from Kurojima to Taketomi Island in that boat. The Anadomari Utaki shrine was erected at the spot where Shidubuji’s boat washed ashore.

Kitakamiyama Ontake (Nishahame-mawan, Nishikame-mawan)

To reach Kitakamemawan (Nishahame-mawan or Nishikame-mawan) from Nakamori-utaki, leave Nakamori-utaki and turn left. Turn right at the T-intersection at the end of the road, and after passing one more T-intersection, you’ll find Kitakamemawan on your left.
Long ago, on Kuroshima, there were three siblings: an older brother named Karama Kana, a younger brother named Karajibouji, and a younger sister named Kakirachimachi. The siblings were skilled sailors who were so adept at navigating ships that they were entrusted with many voyages, earning them the name “Funado.” Their descendant, Funamichi Taru, was also an exceptional sailor who successfully completed 37 voyages between the Yaeyama Islands and Okinawa without a single accident. Behind this miracle was his highly spiritually gifted younger sister, who prayed for her brother’s safe voyages. A sacred site dedicated to maritime safety, known as “Utaki,” was established at the very spot where she offered these prayers.

Details on Nahamuri-wan