Taketomi Island - Oyadomari Utaki (Uyadumari-on) -

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

What Is Oyadomari-no-Mitake (Uyadumari-on)?

Uyadumari-utaki is a sacred site located north of Taketomi Island, next to Mishashi-utaki. Facing the sea, it is known as a place to pray for safe voyages, but it is unclear what is enshrined there or what legends are associated with it. Since Mishashi-utaki and Shimuzashi-utaki are nearby, be sure to visit them as well.

How to Get to Oyadomari-no-Mitake (Uyadumari-on)

Uyadumari-no-Utaki is located about a 13-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Taketomi Port. From Taketomi Port, head toward the village and turn right at the T-intersection in front of Taketomi Island Bike Rental. Continue along the road for a short while, and you’ll find Oyadomari-utaki on your right. It’s right next to Misaki-utaki, so it’s easy to spot.

How to Enjoy Oyadomari-no-Utaki (Uyadumari-on)

Since Oyadomari-utaki (Uyadumari-on) is located along the coastline in the northern part of Taketomi Island, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the crystal-clear sea below. As mentioned earlier, Misaki-utaki and Kimo-gassho-utaki are also nearby, so be sure to visit them as well.

Details on Oyadomari-no-Utaki (Uyadumari-on)

Although very little is known about Oya-dome Ontake, Misaki Ontake—located right next to it—is revered as a deity of safe voyages and peace at sea, so islanders often visit it when they go on trips or return home.
In addition, Mishashi Beach, located beyond Ontake, was once the island’s main port and remained in use until the Taisho era. The remains of the pier can still be seen today.
While there is no information available about Oyadomari Ontake, there is an information sign for Misaki Ontake erected by the Ministry of the Environment. Since the sign includes an English translation, foreign tourists can also learn about Misaki Ontake. The actual English text is as follows:

Information Sign for Oyadomari Ontake (English)

"Mishashi On is a deity of peace and safety at sea. Here, islanders offer prayers when setting out on a journey and give thanks upon their return. At Mishashi, on the coast beyond the On, there used to be a major island port that was in use until the early 20th century. The remains of the gangi (pier) can still be seen there. The On is a sacred site and is generally off-limits to visitors." (Excerpt from an information sign by the Ministry of the Environment)

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Oyadomari-no-Utaki (Uyadumari-on)

Morikazu Ogi (Kusukumui)

To reach Kojimori (Kusukumui) from Oya-dome Utaki, leave Oya-dome Utaki, turn left toward the port, and turn right at the first T-intersection. Continue along the road for a short while, and you’ll find Kojimori on your right.
Ogi Mori was a fire watch post responsible for monitoring tribute ships and foreign vessels in the vicinity of the island; whenever such vessels were spotted, a signal fire was lit to alert the local authorities on Ishigaki Island. It has been designated as a National Cultural Property as one of the Sakishima Islands’ fire watch posts, which included those from various locations throughout the Yaeyama Islands.

west pier

To get to Nishi Pier from Oya-dome Utaki, leave Oya-dome Utaki and turn right. Follow the road along the coastline for a while, with the ocean on your right, and you’ll find Nishi Pier on your right.
Nishi Pier is located at the western tip of Taketomi Island and is used for unloading cargo from ships arriving from Iriomote Island. The pier is 105 meters long and was built to allow ships to dock so that residents could farm on Iriomote Island, as Taketomi Island was not suitable for agriculture.
As you walk across the massive pier, you’ll find yourself surrounded by crystal-clear waters where you can glimpse colorful coral and tropical fish. Located at the westernmost point of the island, it offers stunning sunset views, making it a popular spot not only for tourists but also for locals. Once the sun sets, it also becomes a prime spot for stargazing, where you can admire a star-filled sky.
Nishi Pier is a culturally significant site that was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2005, along with Iko Pier on Kuroshima, so be sure to stop by when you visit Taketomi Island.

Taketomi Folk Art Museum

To get to the Taketomi Folk Art Museum, leave Oyadomari Utaki and turn left. Turn right at the first T-intersection and follow the road south toward the village. The Taketomi Folk Art Museum is located at the intersection just after you see Yumuchi Utaki on your right.
The Taketomi Folk Art Museum was established to ensure the proper preservation and transmission of traditional textiles—such as Minsa obi sashes and banana fiber cloth—which are traditional crafts of the Yaeyama Islands, including Taketomi Island. Inside the museum, panels explain the process of weaving Minsa and banana fiber cloth. Visitors can watch live weaving demonstrations, tour the facility, and even try their hand at weaving. During the weaving workshop, you can create a 10-centimeter-square coaster in about 30 minutes to an hour.
The pattern of short horizontal stripes woven in succession in the Minsā weave is known as the "Yashirami" pattern, named after the legs of a centipede. It is imbued with the meaning, "Please visit me often." Furthermore, because the fabric is dyed with indigo in multiple layers, it is said to also convey the meaning of “layering love.”

Details on Oyadomari-no-Utaki (Uyadumari-on)