Taketomi Island - Ogi Mori

Ishigaki Island Tourist Information

◆Ishigaki Island for sightseeingRental car required.Oh my god!!!
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.

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◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!

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Who Is Mori Ogi?

Kusukumuri, located behind the Seji Utaki on Taketomi Island.

A "hiban-mori" was a place used in the old days, before the advent of telephones, to signal with smoke when foreign ships visited the sake breweries on Ishigaki Island.

There are many hibamori in the Yaeyama Islands, and similar structures can be found on Kuro Island, Yonaguni Island, and Hateruma Island.

These are collectively known as the “Senkaku Islands Fire Watch Festival” and have been designated as a National Cultural Property.

How to Get to Ogi Mori

Ogi Mori is located about a 14-minute walk or a 3-minute drive from Taketomi Port.

From Taketomi Port, head toward the village and turn right at the first intersection.

Continue along the road, and when you turn left at the next intersection, you'll see Kojo Mori on your left.

Things to Do in Ogi-Mori

A national cultural property located near the village.

It appears that the fire watchtower was once a valuable means of communication and was located on a relatively high hill to ensure a good view.

Since it’s located near the village, it might be nice to stop by and take in the view from this small hilltop, just as people did in the old days.

Details on Mori Ogi

Kojō-mori is a fire watch post (Kusukumuri) located behind Yomochi-utaki. Long ago, this was the place where people would keep watch over tribute ships and foreign vessels sailing around the island and raise smoke signals to alert the tax collectors on Ishigaki Island.

There are also stones engraved with compass directions.

Although it is no longer in use, similar fire watch mounds can be found on other islands, and together they have been designated as a National Cultural Property under the name “Senkaku Islands Fire Watch Mounds.”

Ogi Mori is an unusual name, and is pronounced "Kusukumui" or "Kusukumuri," among other variations.

In 1644, it served as a lookout post and functioned as a signal station where smoke signals were raised to alert the sake brewers on Ishigaki Island in the event of an emergency.

Fire watch stations—such as Fuzumari on Kuroshima, Datikuchidi on Yonaguni Island, and Koto-mori on Hateruma Island—have been established.

Because it serves as a lookout point, the view of the surrounding area is absolutely beautiful.

Since Nagomi Tower and the Nambufuru Observation Deck are currently closed, it’s a great idea to take in the panoramic view of Taketomi Island’s townscape and the ocean from Ogi-mori.

Since it's not a particularly crowded spot, please take your time and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

It’s located toward the northern end of the village on Taketomi Island, and since it’s easy to get to, be sure to stop by while you’re exploring the village.

There are rental cars, rental bicycles, and water buffalo carts available for exploring Taketomi Island, so please feel free to use them.

You’ll likely get a sense of the history and daily life of Taketomi Island at that time through Mori Ogi.

The scenery is so breathtakingly beautiful that it’s sure to become addictive—so be sure to check it out!

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Ogi Mori

Nishitō Ontake

To reach Nishitō-On from Kojimori, leave Kojimori, turn right, and follow the road for a while.

Turn left at the fourth intersection, and you'll see it on your left.

This Utaki is dedicated to Seito, a great figure from Taketomi Island who is known for his deep love of his hometown.

Nishitō was discovered by a general of the Ryukyu Kingdom during the Okaya Akahachi Rebellion of 1500 and went on to pursue his studies in Ryukyu.

Later, in recognition of his exceptional civil engineering skills, he designed the Shuri Castle walls and built the stone gate at Sonohyan Utaki.

When he became the leader of the Yaeyama Islands, he initially established his political base on Taketomi Island, but later moved it to Ishigaki Island for practical reasons.

Although he spent his final years on Ishigaki Island, he remained deeply attached to his hometown, and after his death, he was buried on Taketomi Island; his grave is now known as Nishitō Utaki.

Taketomi Tourist Center

To get to the Taketomi Tourist Center from Ogi-mori, leave Ogi-mori, turn right, and follow the road for a while.

If you continue along the road, you’ll come to an intersection where the Taketomi Tourist Center is on your left.

The Taketomi Island Tourist Center is a facility located within the village that also serves as a visitor information center.

They also offer sightseeing tours on water buffalo carts, which take about 30 minutes to tour the village.

You can take a ride on a water buffalo cart and enjoy a unique experience that lets you soak up the traditional charm of the Yaeyama Islands.

While riding in the water buffalo cart, the elderly driver will tell you about the history and tourist attractions of Taketomi Island and sing songs accompanied by the sanshin.

Taketomi Post Office

To get to the Taketomi Post Office from Ogi-Mori, leave Ogi-Mori, turn right, and then turn left at the third intersection.

Follow the road, and after passing the third intersection, you'll see the Taketomi Post Office on your left.

The Taketomi Post Office is the only post office on Taketomi Island, and shisa statues—believed to ward off evil spirits—are placed atop its red-tiled roof, which is edged with white plaster.

There are stone walls surrounding the area, and you’ll find a round mailbox as well as displays of commemorative stamps on the walls, so be sure to pick up your favorite stamps as souvenirs.

Details on Mori Ogi

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