Kuroshima - Hiejichi 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 Hiejichi Utaki (Page One)?

Hiejichi Utaki (Page One) is a sacred site located slightly south of the Nakasuji settlement, the center of Kurojima. It is a sacred place where the Yugwan Festival, held in the eighth month of the lunar calendar to pray for a bountiful harvest of the five grains, as well as other annual events, are held.
If you visit in the morning, the air is very crisp, there aren’t many people around, and watching the sunrise leaves you feeling refreshed.

How to Get to Hiejichi Utaki

Hiejichi Utaki is located about 32 minutes on foot or about 6 minutes by car away.
From Kuroshima Port, take Prefectural Road 213 toward the village. Pass the Kuroshima Observation Deck and turn right at the next T-intersection. Turn left at the end of the road, then turn right at the next T-intersection, and you’ll find Ontake right in front of you.

How to Enjoy Hiejichi Utaki

Since Hiejichi Utaki is located in the Nakasuji settlement—the heart of Kuroshima—there are plenty of tourist attractions nearby, such as the Kuroshima Post Office and the monument honoring the “100 Best Roads in Japan.” Furthermore, if you head south, you’ll find the Kuroshima Lighthouse; the ocean viewed from the southernmost tip of Kuroshima features a stunning gradient of colors, making for a truly breathtaking view. Furthermore, as its nickname “Heart Island” suggests, Kuroshima is shaped like a heart. The Kuroshima Lighthouse, built at the tip of that heart, is also considered a power spot for romance, so be sure to visit with your partner.

Details on Hiejichi Utaki

Hiejichi Utaki is a sacred site located within the Higashi-suji settlement, and it’s a place you should definitely visit while exploring the village. This Utaki was built on the site where Hiejichi Shuri Oyako—known as a great historical figure—used to practice, and every year in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, a festival marking the fulfillment of prayers is held, featuring traditional performances.
Across the street is Undoya, a soba café specializing in “snorkel,” so it’s a great place to stop for lunch after enjoying sightseeing or a trip to the beach. There’s an interesting story behind Hiejimutake, located right across from Undoya.
It is said that long ago, Hiejichi Shuri Oyako was appointed to the position of Shuri Oyako in recognition of his efforts in rescuing the crew of a three-tan sailboat that had run aground at the entrance to the Kakinubada sandbar in the northeastern part of Kuroshima.
After the death of Hiejichi Shuri Oya-ko, his descendants built a shrine at the archery practice ground associated with him and began worshipping there. Because their prayers were answered, people in neighboring villages also began to worship him. As a result, the site came to be revered as an Utaki, and village rituals began to be held there.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Hiejichi Utaki

Monument to the "100 Selected Roads"

To reach the “100 Selected Roads” monument from Hiejichi Utaki, leave Hiejichi Utaki and proceed straight down the road directly in front of you. It is located on the right-hand side at the intersection where it meets Prefectural Road 213.
The “Top 100 Roads” monument is a stone monument erected to commemorate Prefectural Road 213 being selected as one of the “Top 100 Roads” by the Ministry of Construction in 1986. This prefectural road was once an unpaved road covered entirely in white sand, making it a place of great charm. Once you pass through the village, a beautiful rural landscape of ranches and pastures unfolds before you. However, compared to the past, the road has been paved to a greater extent, so the scenery has changed somewhat. That said, there are still many houses typical of the Yaeyama Islands, and you can still fully enjoy the scenery characteristic of Okinawa.

Kuroshima Post Office

To get to Kuroshima Post Office from Hiejichi Utaki, leave Hiejichi Utaki and go straight down the road directly in front of you. Turn left at the intersection where it meets Prefectural Road 213, and you’ll find it on the right at the second intersection.
The Kuroshima Post Office is the only post office on Kuroshima, characterized by its red-tiled roof and stone walls—a design typical of the Yaeyama Islands. Like post offices on the mainland, it is open on weekdays and has an ATM. Since the post office is the only financial institution on Kuroshima, please use it if you forget to withdraw cash.
Also, the Kuroshima Post Office has a postmark that’s exclusive to this location, so be sure to get one as a souvenir. In addition to Kuroshima, each of the Yaeyama Islands has its own unique postmark, so it might be fun to collect them all.

Kuroshima Lighthouse

To reach Kuroshima Lighthouse from Hiejichi Utaki, leave Hiejichi Utaki, turn right, and turn right at the first T-intersection. Continue straight for a while, then turn right at the Y-intersection; Kuroshima Lighthouse is at the end of the road.
The Kuroshima Lighthouse is located at the southernmost tip of Kuroshima. Along the straight road leading from the village, there are vast pastures where cattle graze contentedly.
Since Kuroshima Lighthouse is located at the southernmost tip of Kuroshima, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the open ocean with its beautiful gradations of color. Although you can’t go inside the lighthouse, it’s also known as a “power spot” for romance, so it’s a great place to visit with your significant other or someone special.

Details on Hiejichi Utaki (Page One)