Taketomi Island - Kohon Utaki

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What Is Sachimoto Ontake?

One of the approximately 28 utaki said to exist on Taketomi Island.

Among these, six are considered particularly important sacred mountains, and together they are collectively known as Mu-yama (Six Mountains).

Sachimoto Ontake is also one of the six and is a very important Ontake.

It is also said that there were six villages centered around these six sacred mountains, and that a deity was enshrined in each one.

How to Get to Sachimoto Mikado

Sachimoto Gokoku is located about a 19-minute walk or a 6-minute drive from Taketomi Port.

Leave Taketomi Port and follow the road toward the village.

Once you enter the village, continue straight ahead, turn left at the dead end where the Nakasuji Well is located, and then turn right at the T-intersection immediately after that.

Head straight ahead with the hill of Nmbuhuru on your left, and after passing three T-junctions, turn right at the intersection; you’ll find Sachimoto Gokoku on your right.

How to Have Fun at Sachimoto Gokoku

Sachimoto Ontake is located on the south side of the village, near the end point of the village walking tour.

Also, since there are many sacred sites in the surrounding area, this is a must-visit spot when exploring the area.

You can see Mount Ontake just as it was in the past.

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Details on Sachimoto Mikado

Sachimoto Utaki is a sacred site located within a village on Taketomi Island.

Since there were almost no Shinto shrines in the Yaeyama Islands, including Taketomi Island, four Utaki—sacred sites dedicated to the deities of Okinawa—were established.

These sites, often called "utaki" on the main island of Okinawa and "on" in the Yaeyama region, refer to sacred sites of Ryukyuan belief.

Since Mount Ontake is a place where mythological deities are said to visit and where ancestors are enshrined, it is said that during the imperial dynasty era, men were forbidden from entering.

It is said that there are 28 utaki on Taketomi Island, scattered throughout the island, but the Konomoto Utaki (Kontuon) is located right next to the village, making it particularly easy for tourists to visit.

The area around Mount Ontake is densely forested, and once you pass through the torii gate, you find yourself in a mysterious space that feels quite different from the outside world.

There is also a simple information board, and if you continue further in, you can see Mount Ontake.

Since it’s located in the southern part of the village, it will likely be the last place you visit as you stroll around the village.

You can explore the area not only on foot or by rental bike, but also on a water buffalo.

If you join a tour, you can learn about tourist attractions and get detailed information from the guide about Taketomi Island and other places.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, there are 28 utaki on Taketomi Island, and there are many utaki within the village as well, such as Nishitō Utaki and Machi Utaki.

Since the design and atmosphere vary depending on the Ontake, be sure to compare them.

In addition to strolling through the village, you can also enjoy marine activities such as stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling at the island’s beaches.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Sachimoto Mikage

well

To get to Nakasuji Well from Sachimoto Ogoku, leave Sachimoto Ogoku and turn left.

When you see the T-intersection on your right, turn left at the intersection at the top of that hill.

There is a well on Nakasuji right in front of the T-intersection at the end of the street.

The Nakasuji Well was a well with an abundant water supply, and since Taketomi Island was frequently struck by droughts, it served as a vital lifeline for the villagers until the undersea water pipeline was completed.

There is an interesting legend associated with that Nakasuji well.

As mentioned above, Taketomi Island was frequently struck by droughts. It was during one such drought that a dog kept in Nakamura returned home with its tail wet.

When we followed that dog, we discovered the Nakasuji Well.

It really is a case of “Dig here, Woof-woof!” The Nakasuji Well, which had an abundant supply of water, was cherished and used for rituals such as the New Year’s “first water” and the “birth water” for childbirth.

Nbufuru Hill

To get to Nmbuhuru Hill from Sachimoto Gokoku, leave Sachimoto Gokoku and turn left.

When you see the T-intersection on your right, turn left at the intersection at the top of that hill.

Then, on your right, you'll see the Hill of Nmbfulu.

Nmbuhuru Hill is a small hill located toward the southern end of the village. The observation deck built here stands at an elevation of nearly 20 meters and is known as the highest point on Taketomi Island.

It used to be a popular spot where you could go up to the observation deck for 100 yen and enjoy the view in about five minutes.

However, it is currently off-limits due to the risk of collapse.

From this observation deck, we could see the townscape of Taketomi Island, as well as Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island.

Legend has it that the Numbful Hill was formed when a cow that had once been raised in the village escaped in the middle of the night and used its horns to build the hill.

The hill was named "Nmbful Hill" because when the cow was discovered early one morning, it was mooing "Nmbful, Nmbful" on top of the hill.

There’s the Nakasuji Well and the Waterworks Monument nearby, so be sure to take a stroll and check them out as well.

Former Yonaguni Residence

To get to the former Yonaguni Housing Complex from Sachimoto Ogoku, leave Sachimoto Ogoku and turn left.

When you see the T-intersection on your right, turn left at the intersection at the top of that hill.

Turn left at the end of the road, then turn right immediately.

Pass the T-intersection on your right, then turn right at the next intersection, and you'll see the former Yonaguni National Housing Complex on your right.

The Former Yonaguni House site is the former location of the Yonaguni House, which was built in 1913; its architecture provides insight into the modern housing styles and lifestyles of Taketomi Island.

This building is located within the Traditional Buildings Preservation District on Taketomi Island and was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2007.

The house is characterized by a detached structure consisting of a main house "fuya" and a kitchen "tora".

Details on Sachimoto Ontake

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

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