Ishigaki Island - Ishigaki Family Garden -
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
What Is the Ishigaki Family Garden?
Located about a 20-minute walk from downtown Ishigaki, this is a rare garden and one of the two major gardens of the Yaeyama Islands.
Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis)It's located a short way off Nishi-dori.
This garden was built by the ancestors of the Ishigaki family, and their descendants still live there today.
Although the garden has the feel of a traditional Japanese garden, it features coral sculptures and subtropical plants, reflecting the unique character of the Yaeyama Islands.
Since this is a private residence, please be quiet during your tour so as not to disturb the residents.
Directions to the Ishigaki Family Garden
The Ishigaki Family Garden is located about a 15-minute walk from Ishigaki Port, about a 13-minute walk from the Ishigaki Port Euglena Remote Islands Terminal, and about a 10-minute walk from the “Sanbashi-dori” bus stop (accessible via the local bus from Minaminoshima Ishigaki Airport, via the Art Hotel).
If you're coming from the Remote Islands Terminal
After exiting the Remote Islands Terminal, turn left and go straight, heading northwest along City Hall Street.
Turn right onto the Torin-ji Nishi-dori Street, and at the intersection where the Madanbashi House is on your right, turn left; you’ll find the Ishigaki Family Garden on your right.
If you're coming from New Ishigaki Airport
Leave New Ishigaki Airport and head south on National Route 390.
Continue straight onto City Hall Street, turn right onto the Torinji West Street, and turn left at the intersection where the Madanbashi House is on your right; the Ishigaki Family Garden will be on your right.
How to Enjoy the Ishigaki Family Garden
A kare-sansui garden designated as a National Scenic Spot.
It is characterized by its stonework made of Ryukyu limestone, which was constructed approximately 200 years ago during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
You can experience Ryukyu-style architecture that offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the upper classes of that era and the history of Ishigaki Island.
Since it's not too far from the city center, it's a great place to visit even if you just have a little free time.
Details of the Ishigaki Family Garden
The Ishigaki Family Garden is a garden that belonged to the Ishigaki family, who were members of the upper class in the Yaeyama Islands during the late Edo period, about 200 years ago.
It is said to have been designed by Shiroama Chikunjo, a gardener from Shuri, and is a National Scenic Spot where visitors can enjoy the exceptionally beautiful scenery.
This is a dry landscape garden characterized by stone arrangements dotted with Ryukyu limestone.
About a 10-minute walk from here is the Miyara Palace Inner Garden, which was also designed by Shiroama Chikunjo and features a similar layout.
The Ishigaki Family Garden is still home to descendants of the Ishigaki family, and it is open to the public only during designated visiting hours.
There are several gardens near the Ishigaki Garden, so we’ll introduce them below.
Gardens Near the Ishigaki Family Garden
Nakamoto Garden
To reach the Nakamoto Garden, exit the Ishigaki Garden, turn left, and head south along the Tōrin-ji West Street.
Turn left at the first intersection, and you'll find it on your right.
It is located across from Tōrin-ji Temple.
The Nakamoto Garden was created on the grounds of the residence of the Nakamoto family, a high-ranking samurai clan that held important government posts.
It is located about 100 meters from the Ishigaki Garden and 500 meters from the Miyara Palace Inner Garden.
Like the Ishigaki Family Garden and the Miyara Palace Inner Garden, this garden was created in the late Edo period and is a dry landscape garden characterized by stone arrangements made of Ryukyu limestone.
It is unclear who formulated it, as there is no record of this in the literature.
With the start of the Heisei era, part of the main garden was landscaped along the road, allowing visitors to see the artificial hill and stone bridge up close.
Miyara Inner Garden
To reach the Miyara Palace Inner Garden, exit the Ishigaki Family Garden, turn left, and then turn left again at the intersection.
Turn right onto Route 4 and continue straight for a while.
Once you see Lily Beauty Salon on your right, turn right at the next intersection.
Go straight ahead, and when you reach the intersection where the Ota Morinobu Judicial Scrivener's Office is on your left, turn left—you'll see it on your left.
The Miyara Inner Garden was the residence of the Miyara clan, who held the position of jito (local governor), and is designated as a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property as the residence of a high-ranking samurai family of the Kyu Kingdom.
The red-tiled roofs in the Ryukyu style and the stone walls offer a view that is quintessentially Yaeyama.
Like the two gardens introduced above, this is a dry landscape garden characterized by stone arrangements made of Ryukyu limestone.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Ishigaki Family Garden
Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis)
To reach Tōrin-ji Temple, exit the Ishigaki Family Garden, turn left, and head south along Tōrin-ji Nishi-dori.
Turn left at the first intersection, and you'll find it on your left.
Tōrin-ji Temple was built in 1614 after the Satsuma Domain, which had invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom, advised King Shō Nei to construct it, noting that there were no temples or shrines in the Yaeyama Islands. It is known as the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa Prefecture.
It existed when Tōrin-ji Temple was built, and the Gongen Hall was erected at the same time.
Two Nio statues were installed at the temple gate in 1737 and are known as the oldest wooden sculptures in Okinawa.
It is currently designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property.
Tōrin-ji Temple is a temple with red-tiled buildings and large banyan trees, giving it a mysterious atmosphere.
This spot is bustling with visitors during the year-end and New Year’s holidays, and since Ishigaki Island has its own unique rule—where you include the cost of your fortune slip in your offering—be sure to enjoy this one-of-a-kind island experience.
Location: 285 Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 15 min. walk from the remote island terminal
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Shin-Ei Park
To get to Shin-ei Park, exit the Ishigaki Family Garden, turn left, and head south along the Torin-ji Nishi-dori.
Go straight for a while, and it will appear on your right.
Shin-Ei Park is a large green space, and since it features playground equipment, it’s always bustling with children from the island playing and participating in sports.
In addition to playground equipment, the park features the World Peace Bell, a monument commemorating the City’s Declaration of Peace, and a statue of “Paiguru,” Ishigaki City’s official mascot.
Since it's a park with plenty of greenery, it's a great place to bring your own lunch, like a bento box.
Although Shin-Sakae Park is usually a quiet place, it hosts many outdoor events, such as the Orion Beer Fest and the Tuba-Rama Festival, so be sure to check them out as well!
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
Gushiken Youtaka Memorial Hall
To reach the Yoshitaka Gushiken Memorial Museum from the Ishigaki Family Garden, exit the garden, turn left, and head south along the Torinji Nishi-dori.
Turn right onto City Hall Street and continue straight for a while.
Once you see MaxValu on your left and continue a short distance, you'll find the Yoshitaka Gushiken Memorial Museum on your right.
Mr. Gushiken is a legendary boxer who successfully defended his WBA World Junior Flyweight title 13 times in a row during his professional career, and a memorial hall was built on his home island of Ishigaki to honor his achievements.
On display inside the museum are the gloves Mr. Gushiken used in his matches, as well as his championship belt and trophies.
In addition, videos of his title defense matches are shown continuously, so you can see Mr. Gushiken’s heroic performance from that time.
Address: 2376-1 Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About an 8-minute drive from the Remote Islands Terminal; about a 15-minute drive from Ishigaki Airport
Parking: Available
Restaurant: Available
Toilet: Yes
Admission: 400 yen
Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Details of the Ishigaki Family Garden
| Location | 287 Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (MAView by P) |
| Access | About a 20-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal |
| parking lot | None |
| toilet | None |
| Business Hours | - |
See all activities
Ishigaki Island Tours
