Ishigaki Island - Momorinji Nioji Statue
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
About the Nio Statues at Tōrin-ji Temple
Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis)Two wooden statues located there.
Carved in 1737 by Masatada Kude by using Ogatamakinoki wood from the Yaeyama Islands, this is the oldest surviving wooden statue in Okinawa Prefecture.
To the left of the temple gate stands the statue of Kongō Rikishi, and to the right is the statue of Mitsuji Rikishi. Both statues were swept away by the great Meiwa tsunami of 1771, but they were later discovered washed up on the shore of Sakieda Bay. Their damaged limbs were restored, and they are now preserved in their current state.
On February 22, 1956, it was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Ryukyu Government, and after the reversion to Japan, it became a Tangible Cultural Property designated by Okinawa Prefecture.
Both figures have expressions that convey a sense of history and grandeur, and they’re so impressive that they’re definitely worth seeing♪
Directions to the Nio Statues at Tōrin-ji Temple
The Nio statues at Tōrin-ji Temple are located about a 15-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal and about a 20-minute drive (via regular roads) from Ishigaki Airport.
After leaving the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal, follow the road on your left.
Turn left onto City Hall Street and go straight. Turn right onto the Torinji West Street and continue straight for a short distance; you’ll see the Torinji Niō statues on your right.
How to Enjoy the Nio Statues at Tōrin-ji Temple
The impressive Nio statues at Tōrin-ji Temple are also famous as a place where people come to pray during the New Year’s holiday season.
On Ishigaki Island, which is surrounded by the sea, people sometimes offer prayers for a bountiful catch. Nearby,Chinese tombLet's go sightseeing there as well.
Details of the Nio Statues at Tōrin-ji Temple
The Nio statues at Tōrin-ji are wooden sculptures enshrined at the temple’s mountain gate, located near the city center and the remote island terminal.
In 1614, the Satsuma Domain informed the Ryukyu Kingdom that there were no temples or shrines in the Yaeyama Islands, and as a result, Tōrin-ji was established as a temple of the Myōshin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.
It is currently known as the oldest wooden structure and the oldest temple in Okinawa.
In 1737, the Tōrin-ji Niō statues—Okinawa’s oldest wooden sculptures—were enshrined at the temple gate. In 1956, the Tōrin-ji Niō statues were designated as Tangible Cultural Properties of Okinawa Prefecture, and the Gongen-dō Hall was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
During the Great Meiwa Tsunami of 1771, both Nio guardian statues were swept away, and the Gongen-dō Hall at Tōrin-ji Temple was also severely damaged.
Tōrin-ji Temple and the Gongen Hall were later restored, and the Nio guardian statues from Tōrin-ji, which had been swept away, were found washed up on the shore of Sakieda Bay with their limbs broken.
The Nio statues of Tōrin-ji have now been fully restored and reinstalled at the temple’s main gate.
The mountain gate housing the Nio statues at Tōrin-ji features a red-tiled roof, giving the building a calm atmosphere characteristic of the Yaeyama Islands.
The Nio statues are truly imposing; just looking at them gives you a sense of strength.
Once you pass through the mountain gate flanked by those Nio guardian statues, let’s pay our respects at the atmospheric main hall of Tōrin-ji Temple, which boasts a history of 400 years!
There’s also a banyan tree inside the temple that’s said to be home to fairies called Kijimuna, so be sure to take a look.
Since the banyan tree is also famous as a houseplant, why not take this opportunity to buy one?
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Nio Statues at Tōrin-ji Temple
Ishigaki Family Garden
To reach the Ishigaki Family Garden from the Nio statues at Tōrin-ji Temple, exit the temple grounds, turn right, and then turn right onto Tōrin-ji Nishi-dori.
Turn left at the second intersection, and you'll see the Ishigaki Garden on your right.
The Ishigaki Family Garden is one of the two historic gardens of the Yaeyama Islands; it was built by the Ishigaki family, who belonged to the upper class at that time.
In addition to the tranquility reminiscent of a Japanese garden, it is characterized by the unique landscape of the Yaeyama Islands, dotted with Ryukyu coral.
It is said that this name was coined by Shiroma Oyakami, a Ryukyu gardener.
Since the descendants of the Ishigaki family still live there, please limit yourself to viewing the property from the outside unless it is open to the public.
Address: 287 Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About a 20-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal
Parking: No
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: No
Minamijima Folk Museum
To get to the Minamishima Folk Museum from the Nio statues at Tōrin-ji Temple, turn left after passing the statues and continue straight along Yui Road for a while.
Turn left at the Okawa (West) intersection, then turn left at the third corner.
Turn right at the next intersection, then turn left immediately after that, and you'll see it on your left.
The Minamijima Ethnological Museum is a museum housed in a building that served as the residence of the 9th-generation Taki of the Miyara clan for approximately 180 years and has been preserved to this day.
Takayoshi Yoshino, who served as governor of the Yaeyama Civil Administration, collected and exhibited archaeological artifacts, folklore materials, folk tools, pottery, and other items with the aim of preventing the outflow of cultural properties.
It's the perfect place to learn about the history and culture of the Yaeyama Islands.
They also sell commemorative items and folk crafts, so be sure to check them out for souvenirs.
Location: 188 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Directions: About a 5-minute drive from the Remote Islands Terminal; about a 10-minute drive from Ishigaki Airport
Parking: Available (2 spaces)
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Shin-Ei Park
To get to Shin-ei Park from the Nio statues at Tōrin-ji Temple, exit the temple grounds, turn right, and head south on Tōrin-ji Nishi-dori.
Go straight for a while, and it will appear on your right.
Shin-Ei Park is a spacious green space, and it’s a common sight to see many children playing there.
There are various attractions to see within the park, including the World Peace Bell, the monument commemorating the City’s Declaration of Peace, and a statue of “Pai-guru,” Ishigaki City’s official mascot.
It’s such a cozy place—it would be nice to buy a bento and have a picnic there.
Because of its large grounds, Shin-Sakae Park often hosts outdoor events such as the Orion Beer Fest and the Tuba-Rama Festival.
Address: 4 Shin-ei-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 5 minutes on foot from the remote island terminal
Parking: Available
Dining (Nearby): Available (in the city center area)
Toilet: Yes
Details of the Nio Statues at Tōrin-ji Temple
| Location | 285 Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, Tōrin-ji Temple (View in MAP) |
| Access | About a 15-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal; about a 20-minute drive (via regular roads) from Ishigaki Airport |
| parking lot | ant |
| toilet | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| Business Hours | - |
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