Taketomi Island - Nakasuji Utaki -
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
What is Nakasuji Utaki (Sargion)?
Nakaguchi Utaki (Sarjon) is a sacred site where Arashibana Kasanari—who came from the main island of Okinawa—is enshrined as the founder of Nakaguchi Village. Arashibana Kasanari is revered as the god of wheat for his dedication to wheat cultivation. It is said that a dog owned by Arashibana Kasanari discovered the Nakasuji Well.
How to Get to Nakasuji Utaki
Nakagane Utaki is located about a 16-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Taketomi Port.
Head straight from Taketomi Port toward the village. Turn right at the intersection where Uchimori Shoten is on your right, then immediately turn left at the next intersection. Turn right at the fourth intersection, then turn left at the second intersection. After passing two T-junctions, you’ll find it on your right.
How to Enjoy Nakasuji Utaki
With various utaki—such as Seimei Utaki (Mainuon), Higashi-Paizashi Utaki, and Nishi-Tou Utaki (Nishitouon)—located near Nakasuji Utaki, this area is perfect for a tour of the utaki. Since it’s located in the center of the Taketomi Island village, it’s a great place to stop by while strolling through the village.
Details on Nakasuji Utaki
Nakagane Utaki is a sacred site dedicated to Shinishika Shigenari, the founder of Nakagane Village. Shinishika Shigenari, who came from the main island of Okinawa, is known for introducing iron to Taketomi Island and for his dedication to wheat cultivation. Known as the god of wheat, Shinishika Shigenari is also the founding deity of Nakasuji (Nāji) Village. This Utaki is affectionately known as “Sajion,” a name derived from the place name “Saji.”
There is an English-language explanatory sign about Hon-Ontake nearby, so international tourists can also learn about it. The text of the sign is as follows.
Information Sheet on Nakasuji Utaki
"Utaki, a place of worship found throughout Okinawa, is called 'On' or 'Yama' on Taketomi. Saji On is one of the muyama (six important On)* that hold particular spiritual significance for the island’s residents. Enshrined here is Arashibana Kasanari, the founding deity of Nakasuji (Naji) Village, who, according to legend, came from the Okinawan mainland to introduce iron to Taketomi, but is now worshipped as a god of wheat and barley. This On is commonly known as Saji On, derived from the place name Saji.
The On is a sacred space and is generally off-limits to visitors.
Muyama: "Oriya On, Saji On, Kumara On, Hanakku On, Baiya On"
[Excerpt from an informational sign by the Ministry of the Environment]
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Nakasuji Utaki
Seimei Ontake (Mainuon)
Seimei Ontake (Mainuon) is a sacred site dedicated to the god of nation-building. The deity enshrined at this main Ontake is known to have first created Taketomi Island, and later, at the request of the god of Mount Omoto on Ishigaki Island, the two deities worked together to create Ishigaki Island.
Location: Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About a 16-minute walk or an 8-minute drive from Taketomi Port
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Birthplace of Asatoya Kuyama
Asariya Kuyama’s Birthplace is known as the birthplace of Kuyama, a woman of unparalleled beauty from Taketomi Island. Her extraordinary beauty is immortalized in “Asariya Yunta,” a folk song representative of the Yaeyama region. The song praises her courage in rejecting the advances of an island official. Asariya is a traditional Ryukyuan-style house typical of the Yaeyama Islands, featuring a truly beautiful exterior.
Location: Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 20 minutes on foot from Taketomi Higashi Pier
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: Yes
Nishitō Ontake
Nishitō Utaki is a sacred site dedicated to Nishitō, a great figure and patriot from Taketomi Island. During the Okeyaa Kahachi Rebellion in 1500, he was discovered by a general of the Ryukyu Kingdom. After studying architecture in Ryukyu, he designed the walls of Shuri Castle and built the stone gate of Sonohyan Utaki.
After his death, as he was a lover of his homeland, he was buried on Taketomi Island, and his grave became known as Nishitō Utaki.
Location: Taketomi Island, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 15 minutes on foot from Taketomi Port
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
