Ishigaki Island - Gongen-do -
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
Scenery at Gongendo
Red Cliffs Evokes a Ryukyu Atmosphere |
Informational Stone Monument |
Four-Legged Gate |
Source:4travel
Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!
We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!
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What Is Gongen-do?
Located about a 15-minute walk from the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal, this is Okinawa’s oldest wooden structure.
It is located right next to Tōrin-ji Temple and was built around the same time.
It features Okinawa’s distinctive four-legged gate, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of both traditional Japanese architecture and the Ryukyuan style.
Although it was destroyed by the Meiwa Tsunami of 1771, it was rebuilt in 1786. It is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
How to Get to Gongen-do
Gongendo is located about a 15-minute walk from Ishigaki Port and about a 24-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport.
If you're coming from the Remote Islands Terminal
After exiting the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal, go straight down the road on your left, then turn left onto City Hall Street and continue straight ahead.
If you turn right onto the Torin-ji Nishi-dori Street and continue straight for a short while, you’ll see Gongen-do Temple on your right, next to Torin-ji Temple.
If you're coming from New Ishigaki Airport
Leave New Ishigaki Airport and head south on National Route 390.
Follow the road for a while, turn onto City Hall Street, then turn right onto the Torinji West Street route and continue straight for a short distance. You’ll see Gongen-do Temple on your right, next to Torinji Temple.
How to Enjoy Gongendo
Since it’s located along Yui Road, be sure to visit it along with the Miyara Precinct and the Yaeyama Museum to learn more about the history and culture of the Yaeyama Islands.
Details about Gongen-do
Gongen-do is one of the few halls on Ishigaki Island that is attached to a temple.
To begin with, there are no shrines at all on the remote islands that make up the Yaeyama Islands, and there are only a handful of Buddhist temples.
On the other hand, there is Ontake, a sacred site equivalent to the shrines found on the mainland.
The sacred site is a place where deities are enshrined, and village ceremonies, harvest festivals, and other celebrations are held there frequently.
All over the island, you can see Ontake sites with torii gates and worship halls. It really gives you a sense of just how deeply rooted Ontake culture is.
That said, Gongen-do is not a shrine dedicated to Ontake; rather, it is a hall that enshrines the Ryukyu Eight Shrines, Miyako Shrine, and the Three Deities of Kumano.
Surprisingly, in the *Ryukyu Kokuyōki*, Gongen-dō is described as a ”shrine attached to Nankai-zan Tōrin-ji Temple.”
Although it was such a sacred hall, it was severely damaged along with Tōrin-ji Temple by the Great Meiwa Tsunami of 1771.
Although it was later rebuilt, it has retained its status as Okinawa’s oldest wooden structure ever since.
The reconstructed Gongen Main Hall features red roof tiles that give it a distinctly Okinawan appearance, and the animal motifs painted throughout the building are truly eye-catching.
The nearby museum also featured exhibits related to Gongen-do, such as the ”demon mask” from Gongen-do.
Since the museum also has an exhibit on Tōrin-ji Temple, you might gain a deeper understanding of both if you visit them together.
By the way, Gongen-do and Tōrin-ji are right next to each other, and since there’s nothing separating them—like a torii gate—at first glance, it might look as if the two temples are standing side by side.
Compared to Tōrin-ji, Gongen-dō appears more compact, but with its worship hall and gate, it is a substantial temple complex.
Tourist Attractions Near Gongen-do
Ishigaki Family Garden
To reach the Ishigaki Garden from Gongen-do, exit Gongen-do, turn right, and then turn right onto the Torin-ji Nishi-dori.
Turn left at the second intersection, and you'll see the Ishigaki Garden on your right.
The Ishigaki Garden is a valuable example of the Yaeyama’s second-generation gardens; it was constructed by the Ishigaki family, who belonged to the upper class in the Yaeyama region.
The garden was designed by Shiroma Chikunjo, and in addition to the serene atmosphere typical of Japanese gardens, it features Ryukyu coral rocks scattered throughout, giving it a distinctive Yaeyama character.
Since this is a private residence where Mr. Ishigaki still lives, please refrain from entering without permission to look around.
Name: Ishigaki Family Garden
Address: 287 Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About a 20-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal
Parking: No
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: No
Euglena Mall
To get to Euglena Mall from Gongen-do, leave Gongen-do, turn left, and head southeast on Route 79.
Go past the Okawa (West) Intersection and continue straight on Yui Road. Turn right at the first intersection, then turn left at the next intersection to arrive at Euglena Mall.
Euglena Mall is Ishigaki Island’s largest shopping district, lined with over 100 stores—including restaurants, souvenir shops, and clothing stores—and is a place where you can find just about anything.
The shopping district is a lively place filled with vendors calling out to customers, so it’s fun just to stroll around.
Since there are souvenir shops and stores selling travel essentials, it’s a great place to stop by to pick up a few things or grab a bite to eat while taking a break.
Some stores are open from 8:00 a.m. until midnight, so it’s a great idea to just drop by whenever you have some free time.
Name: Euglena Mall
Location: 207 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 25 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport, 7 minutes on foot from the remote island terminal
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Shin-Ei Park
To get to Shin-ei Park from Gongen-do, exit Gongen-do, turn left, and head south along the Torinji Nishi-dori route.
After passing the intersection and heading south for a short while, you'll see Shin-ei Park on your left.
At this spacious green park, children play on the playground equipment and make full use of the vast grounds to play sports.
Shin-Sakae Park has a peaceful atmosphere and hosts many popular large-scale outdoor events, such as the Orion Beer Fest and the Tuba-Rama Festival, so it’s a great place to visit just for the events.
The park also features the World Peace Bell, a monument commemorating the City’s Declaration of Peace, and a statue of “Paiguru,” Ishigaki City’s official mascot, making it a place where visitors can reflect on the preciousness of peace and the horrors of war and natural disasters.
It would be nice to visit with a picnic vibe.
Name: Shin-ei Park
Address: 4 Shin-ei-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 5 minutes on foot from the remote island terminal
Parking: Available
Dining (Nearby): Available (in the city center area)
Toilet: Yes
Details about Gongen-do
| name | Gongen-dō |
| Location | 285-2 Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (View in MAP) |
| Access | About a 15-minute walk from Ishigaki Port |
| parking lot | ant |
| Dining (vicinity) | ant |
| toilet | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
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