Taketomi Island - Shuramui Utaki -

What is Shuramui Ontake (Shuramui-on)?

Shuramui Ontake is located north of Shochikusou; it is a Teiru Ontake and is managed by Shochikuya. "Shura" means "to strengthen," and “Mui” means “forest,” so the name is interpreted as “Forest of Strength.” Although there is no torii gate, the area is densely overgrown with vegetation, making it quite difficult to find.

How to Get to Shuramui Ontake

Shuramui Utaki is located about a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute drive from Taketomi Port.
Head straight from Taketomi Port toward the village. When you see Taketomi Island Bike Rental on your right, turn right at the intersection just past the T-junction. Walk a short distance after turning right, and you’ll find it on your right.

How to Play at Shuramui Ontake

Since Shuramui Utaki is located near the entrance to the village, it’s about a 10-minute walk from Taketomi Port. Taketomi Island Parlor Ganju-ya and Shima-yado Ganju-ya are also nearby, so you can enjoy tropical fruits and island cuisine.
There are also several places to stay nearby, such as Ohama-so, the Uchimori-so guesthouse, Shochiku-so, and the Maki-so guesthouse, so it’s a great idea to stay overnight.

Details on Shuramui Ontake

Shuramui Utaki is a sacred site located in the forest north of the Matsutake-so guesthouse, to the northeast of Yomochi Utaki. As mentioned above, the “Shura” in Shuramui Utaki means “to strengthen,” and “Mui” means “forest”; it is known as a sacred site associated with the prosperity of descendants.
According to legend, a corrupt official who was once posted to the island drove the villagers into poverty by demanding excessive sesame seed tributes. The villagers held a meeting in a remote forest to discuss how to expel him, and they succeeded in doing so. This forest is known as Shuramui, and it came to be revered as a sacred site.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Shuramui Ontake

Nishitō Ontake

Nishitō Utaki is a sacred site dedicated to Nishitō, a great patriot and native of Taketomi Island. During the Okeyaa Kahachi Rebellion of 1500, Nishitō was discovered by a general of the Ryukyu Kingdom and went on to pursue his studies in Ryukyu. He excelled particularly in civil engineering and architecture, designing the walls of Shuri Castle and constructing the stone gate of Sonhiyabu Utaki. He later became the leader of the Yaeyama Islands and governed the region.
He spent the rest of his life on Ishigaki Island, but after his death, he was buried on Taketomi Island, and his grave came to be known as Nishitō Utaki.

Taketomi Post Office

The Taketomi Post Office is the only post office on Taketomi Island. It features a roof made of red tiles—a hallmark of the Yaeyama region—with white plaster trim, and is topped with shisa statues to ward off evil spirits.
Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, just like post offices on the mainland, and ATMs are also available.

Taketomi Folk Art Museum

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, both traditional Okinawan textiles. Visitors can watch live weaving demonstrations and even try their hand at weaving themselves.