Taketomi Island - Hanagusuku Well

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What Is Hanashiro Ido?

Located north of the central district of Taketomi Island, this is a well that was once in use, situated within the Shinzato Village archaeological site.

This is the oldest well on Taketomi Island, and it was once so highly valued that the settlement was built around it.

It is no longer in use; all that remains is a small sign and the stone wall.

How to Get to Hanashiro Well

Hanashiroido is located about a 12-minute walk or a 4-minute drive from Taketomi Port.

From Taketomi Port, head toward the village. When you see the Taketomi Island Bike Rental on your right, pass it and turn right at the next T-intersection.

Turn right at the T-intersection at the end of the road, and you'll find it on your right.

How to Have Fun at Hanashiro Well

This well was once so valuable that a settlement is said to have formed around it; as a result, archaeological sites stretch out in the surrounding area, where you can see remains dating back nearly 1,000 years.

However, since it’s a little far from the center of Taketomi Island, I’d recommend it to people who love archaeological sites.

Details on Hanashiro Well

Hanakungā is an old well located within the Shinzato Village Ruins, which are situated north of Taketomi Island.

Taketomi Island is a small island about 8 km in circumference, surrounded by a coral sea. Since it has neither mountains nor rivers, water resources are very scarce.

For this reason, the islanders at that time relied on stored rainwater and shallow wells for their daily water supply.

During droughts, people would sometimes travel by boat to Ishigaki Island or Iriomote Island to bring back water.

In Showa 51 (1976), with the approval of the national government and Ishigaki City, a water pipeline was laid to transport water from the Ishigaki Water Treatment Plant to Taketomi Island via an undersea pipeline.

As a result, we are now able to live without having to worry about water.

Hanakkungā (Hanashiro Well) is the oldest well on Taketomi Island and is located along the Ishaguchi Road at the western end of the Higashi-Shinri Village Ruins in Ōmasuhara (Hōshi).

Near this well stands a stone monument inscribed with the words "Hanashuku Well," and in front of it is an incense burner carved from a round piece of coral.

It is even said that the village of Shinzato flourished around this well.

There is a legend associated with this Hanashiro Well.

The daughter of a parishioner of Taganidun, the founder of Hanashiro Village, married into Shinzato Village, but returned to her hometown because there was no well there.

Upon learning this, Taganidun dug a well in Shinzato Village and gave it to his daughter, who had married into another family.

This well is located in Kamiri Village, but because it was dug by people from Hanashiro Village, it came to be known as “Hanakkunga.”

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Hanashiro Well

Taketomi Island Visitor Center Yubu-kabukan

To get to the Taketomi Island Visitor Center Yukabu-kan from Hanashiro Ido, leave Hanashiro Ido, turn left, and then turn right immediately.

Follow the road and turn left at the T-intersection at the end.

On your left is the Taketomi Island Visitor Center, Yukabu-kan.

At the Taketomi Island Visitor Center, Yukabu-kan, you can learn about the island’s tourist attractions, nature, history, and traditional culture.

You can also watch video presentations in the large-screen theater.

Taketomi Post Office

To get to the Taketomi Post Office from Hanashiro Ido, leave Hanashiro Ido, turn right, and then turn left at the first intersection.

Turn right at the Y-intersection, then turn left at the third intersection.

After passing two intersections, you'll see the Taketomi Post Office on your right.

The Taketomi Post Office is the only post office on the island and is characterized by its distinctive Yaeyama-style architecture, featuring a red-tiled roof edged with white plaster and shisa guardian lions perched on the roof to ward off evil spirits.

There are also commemorative stamps exclusive to Taketomi Island, so be sure to pick some up as souvenirs!

Taketomi Folk Art Museum

To get to the Taketomi Folk Art Museum from Hanashiro Ido, leave Hanashiro Ido, turn right, and follow the road.

It's on your right at the second intersection.

The Taketomi Folk Art Museum was established to ensure the proper preservation and transmission of traditional textiles—such as Minsa sashes and banana-fiber cloth—which are traditional crafts of the Yaeyama Islands, including Taketomi Island.

Inside the museum, panels explain the process of weaving Minsa—a traditional Okinawan textile—and banana fiber cloth, and visitors can watch live weaving demonstrations or try their hand at weaving themselves.

This fabric is characterized by the "Yashirami" pattern, which is inspired by the legs of a centipede and features a continuous series of short horizontal stripes woven into the fabric. It is said to convey the meaning "Please visit me often," as well as "layering love," a reference to the process of dyeing the fabric with indigo multiple times.

During the weaving workshop, you can make a 10-centimeter square coaster in about 30 minutes to an hour, so please feel free to give it a try.

Details on Hanashiro Well

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