Taketomi Island-Asariya Kuyama's Tomb

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What Is the Tomb of Asatoya Kuyama?

The grave of “Asariya Kuyama,” who served as the inspiration for “Asariya Yunta,” the folk song that represents Taketomi Island.

You can see it on your way from Taketomi Port to the West Pier, a popular tourist spot.

"Asariya Kuyama" was a real person who lived about 300 years ago, and his birthplace is still on the island.

Kuyama is famous as a beautiful woman born on Taketomi Island, and the folk song “Asariya Yunta” tells the story of how, at the age of 16, she was asked to marry by a meshimushi (deputy village chief) sent from Shuri, but she refused him.

How to Get to Asatoya Kuyama's Grave

The grave of Asatoya Kuyama is located about a 20-minute walk or a 7-minute drive from Taketomi Port.

Leave Taketomi Port and head toward the village; turn right at the T-intersection just before the Taketomi Island Bike Rental.

If you follow the road for a while, you’ll see the grave of Asariya Kuyama on your right.

How to Play at Asariya Kuyama's Grave

During water buffalo cart tours and other activities on Taketomi Island, an elderly man will sometimes sing this folk song for us while playing the sanshin.

The Birthplace of Asariya Kuyama(His childhood home) is also there.

Also, when visiting this grave, I recommend combining it with a trip to Nishi Pier.

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Details of Asariya Kuyama's Grave

Asariya Kuyama: Born in 1772 in Asariya on Taketomi Island in the Yaeyama Islands, she is known as the most beautiful woman in the history of Taketomi Island.

The grave of that peerless beauty is the Asariya Kuyama Tomb, located on the west coast of Taketomi Island.

When Kuyama was 16, a low-ranking official named Mezashu fell in love with her at first sight and pressed her to marry him, but she flatly refused his proposal.

It is said that she later became the wife of Mesashu's superior.

So he had the inner strength to stand up to officials and say “no,” didn’t he?

Kuyama, the peerless beauty of Taketomi Island, is featured in “Asariya Yunta,” a folk song that represents the island.

In addition, near Asatoya Kuyama’s grave, to the west of the village, stands Kuyama’s birthplace.

Be sure to visit the place where this peerless beauty was born.

Even now, some 300 years later, it remains a romantic spot said to be home to a beautiful woman, and its opulent appearance makes it hard to believe it is a grave.

Since you can see a beautiful sunset from there, the grave is located at a scenic spot truly befitting a woman of unparalleled beauty.

You can also get there via water buffalo sightseeing tours or by rental bicycle. If you take a water buffalo cart, the islander who drives it—an elderly man—may share local sightseeing information with you, and he might even sing the folk song “Asariya Yunta” while playing the shamisen.

Since the gravesite is located along the West Coast Line, you can take a leisurely stroll while enjoying the ocean view on a rental bike or in a water buffalo cart.

Kondoi Beach, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters, is also nearby, so you can enjoy activities such as snorkeling and diving.

Since it's close to the village, you can easily stop by for a meal or a break.

Since it’s located north of the West Pier, it might be worth stopping by when you’re making your way around the island.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Tomb of Asariya Kuyama

Nunusha Beach

To get to Nunusha Beach from Asatoya Kuyama's grave, leave the grave site and turn right.

Follow the road, and when you see a T-intersection on your left, Nunu-shā Beach will be on your right.

Located north of Nishi Pier, Nunusha Beach is a quiet beach with few tourists; it’s a place where locals often go for walks.

It is said that this beach was named "Nunusha," a dialect term meaning "to rinse cloth," because people used to rinse "basho-fu"—a traditional textile from Taketomi Island—in the seawater here.

As you make your way to the beach along a path surrounded by greenery, the view suddenly opens up to reveal the ocean.

Since this is a rocky beach, it’s not really suitable for snorkeling or swimming, so focus on beachcombing and enjoying the scenery instead.

west pier

To get to Nishi Pier from Asatoya Kuyama’s grave, leave the grave site and turn right.

If you continue straight along the road for a while, you'll see the West Pier on your right.

This is the pier at Nishi Pier where cargo was unloaded from ships traveling to and from Iriomote Island.

It juts out into the sea, and its total length is as much as 105 meters.

Originally, Taketomi Island wasn’t suitable for farming, so this pier was built to dock boats heading to Iriomote Island for farming.

Although it is no longer in use, it was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2005, along with the Iko Pier on Kuroshima.

From the pier, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the crystal-clear sea and spot colorful corals and tropical fish on the seafloor.

Since it extends far out into the sea, as you go further, you’ll find yourself surrounded by water on all sides.

It’s also known as the best spot on Taketomi Island to watch the sunset, and it’s a place frequented not only by tourists but also by locals.

Not only can you enjoy the sunset, but once the sun goes down, the area becomes pitch black, so you can also gaze up at a star-filled sky.

Kihoin Collection Museum

To get to the Kihōin Collection Hall from the tomb of Asatoya Kuyama, leave the tomb and turn right.

Turn left at the first Y-intersection, follow the road, and turn left at the second intersection.

After walking a short distance, you'll see the Kihō-in Collection Hall on your left.

The Kihō-in Collection Museum is a museum of historical and folk culture located within the Taketomi Island village, adjacent to Kihō-in Temple, the southernmost temple in Japan.

The museum displays approximately 4,000 items, including arts and crafts and folk tools related to Taketomi Island, allowing visitors to experience the unique culture of the island, such as the symbols used in prehistoric times, warasan (knotted cord), and the origins of the patterns found in Minsa weaving.

Details of Asariya Kuyama's Grave

Related columns are here↓.
How to get to Taketomi Island, how to play, and a list of recommendations!

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