Taketomi Island - Shirogane 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 Shirogane Ontake (Shugganeon)?

Shukane-on is a sacred site located toward the southern part of the Taketomi settlement and is known as a place of worship associated with the construction of the castle. Nearby are Kajiya-on and Kontu-on. Be sure to visit them as well. There are also restaurants and bike rental shops nearby, so you can enjoy a cup of tea during your sightseeing break or rent a bike to explore the island.

How to Get to Shirokane Mitake

Shirakane Mitake is known as a sacred site associated with castle construction, but little is known about it in detail. Nearby are the Sachimoto (Kohamamoto) Mitake and the Kajiya Mitake.
Sachimoto (Kohamamoto) Utaki is one of the 28 utaki on Taketomi Island and belongs to the group of six utaki known as “Mūyama.” Kajiya Utaki is a sacred site where prayers related to blacksmiths are offered. The shrine priest, the community center executive committee, and local blacksmiths gather here to offer their prayers.

How to Enjoy Shirokane Mitake

Since Ontake—including Shirokane Ontake—is a sacred site, visitors are not permitted to play there. The surrounding area features attractions such as Nbufuru Hill and Nakasuji Well, making it an ideal spot for sightseeing. There are also restaurants and bike rental shops, so some visitors stop by to take a break from sightseeing or to explore the island.

Details on Shirokane Mitake

Shirakane-utaki is a sacred site associated with castle construction, located southwest of the Nmbufuru Observation Deck. Details about it are unknown. Since Kajiya-on and Kontu-on are located near this sacred site, be sure to visit them as well.
In the Yaeyama Islands, including Taketomi Island, sacred places of worship—equivalent to shrines on the mainland—are called “utaki” (御嶽). On Taketomi Island, they are also known as “on” (御嶽), “yama” (山), “taki” (嶽), and “muru” (杜).
There are 86 sacred sites on Taketomi Island, 28 of which are Utaki. The most important of Taketomi Island’s utaki are called Mūyama. Additionally, the utaki located within the village are called Mura-on, and these Mura-on serve as the central venues for the island’s festivals.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Shirokane Mitake

Nbufuru Hill

Nmbuhuru Hill is located south of the village on Taketomi Island, and the observation deck built on this hill is known as the highest point on the island. According to legend, Nmbuhuru Hill was formed when a cow that had been raised in the village escaped and used its horns to shape the hill. It was named Nbufuru Hill because the escaped cows were found on top of the hill, mooing "Nbufuru, Nbufuru."
Since it’s currently closed to the public, just like the Nagomi Tower, please take a look at it from nearby.

Kohamoto Utaki

The Kōmoto (Kohamamoto) Utaki is a sacred site located south of Nbufuru Hill. Since it’s close to the village, it’s a great place to explore by rental bike or water buffalo cart. There are also other sacred sites nearby, so you might want to visit them as well.
The Sachimoto (Kohamamoto) Utaki is part of the Mūyama, the most sacred utaki on Taketomi Island, and since the island’s festivals are held there, be sure to visit if the timing works out.

well

The Nakasuji Well is located north of Nmbfulu Hill, and due to its abundant water supply, it served as a vital lifeline for villagers before the water supply system was available.
Taketomi Island was frequently struck by droughts, and the islanders were struggling. Amid one such drought, a dog kept by the village returned with its tail wet, leading to the discovery of this well. Because the well yielded an abundant supply of water, it was used for various purposes, such as the “first water of the New Year” and the “first water after childbirth.”

Details on Shirogane Ontake (Shugganeon)