Taketomi Island - Machi 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 [...]. (20 in total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

What Is Machi Ontake (Marchion)?

According to legend, Machi Utaki (Marchion) became a sacred site after the graves of the spiritually gifted siblings Matu and Fuzon—who saved the life of an official sent by the Shuri Royal Court—were enshrined there. There are many other sacred sites and attractions nearby, so be sure to take a stroll around the area as well.

How to Get to Machi-utaki

Machigutake is located about a 15-minute walk or a 3-minute drive from Taketomi Port.
From Taketomi Port, head toward the village and turn right at the first intersection. Continue along the road, pass the next intersection, and turn left at the T-junction immediately after it; you’ll find Machi Utaki on your right.

How to Enjoy Machi-utaki

In the area surrounding Machi-utaki, there are facilities and historic sites where you can learn about the history and culture of Taketomi Island, such as the Kihō-in Collection Museum, the Taketomi Island Folk Art Museum, and Kuskumui.

Details on Machi-utaki

Machimi Utaki is not a village utaki managed by the Taketomi Community Center, located in the northern part of the village, but rather an utaki managed by a private individual.
Machi Utaki was established as a place of worship and a sacred site in honor of the graves of the siblings Matu and Fuzon, who possessed strong spiritual insight (seji) and once saved the life of a high-ranking Yaeyama resident official (a permanent official dispatched from the Shuri Royal Court). Although the siblings received a bale of grain as a token of gratitude for saving the resident official’s life, they distributed it all to the priests of the Six Mountains; their selflessness earned them great affection from the people.
At this sacred site, ceremonies such as the April Festival—held to pray for the healthy growth of sown wheat seeds—and the October Festival—held to pray for protection against fire and water-related disasters—are held.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Machi-utaki

Haza-ma Utaki (U-ryaon)

Hazama Utaki (U-ryaon) is a sacred site where Nehara Kando—who came from Yakushima—is enshrined as the founder of Hazama Village. Nehara Kandō is revered as the god of millet because of his dedication to its cultivation.
He is said to have been the most powerful and virtuous of them all, and is also credited with unifying the Seed Harvest Festivals that had previously been held separately in each village.

Yumochi Utaki (Yumochi Ontake)

Yumuchi-utaki is a sacred site where ceremonies honoring the gods of fire and agriculture are held, and many of Taketomi Island’s annual events—such as the April Grand Prayer, the Nishitō Festival, the Closing Ceremony, the September Grand Prayer, and the Seed-Harvesting Festival—take place at Yumuchi-utaki.

Kihoin Collection Museum

The Kihō-in Collection Museum is a museum of history and folklore on Taketomi Island, located adjacent to Kihō-in Temple—the southernmost temple in Japan. It displays nearly 4,000 items, including art, crafts, and folk artifacts related to Taketomi Island. Visitors can learn about symbols used in prehistoric times, warasan (knotted ropes), and the origins of the patterns found in Minsa weaving.

Details on Machi Ontake (Marchion)