Taketomi Island - Nakasuji Well

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What Is a Nakasuji Well?

Wells were invaluable in the days before running water.

A well in Nakasuji Village that was discovered when the owner dug up the ground after noticing that their dog, which they kept there, had come back with a wet tail despite the drought.

In the days before running water, this water was a lifeline and was therefore highly valued.

How to Get to Nakasuji Well

Nakaguchi Well is located about a 16-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Taketomi Port.

We head from Taketomi Port toward the village.

Once you enter the village, continue along the road for a while, and you’ll find the Nakasuji Well at the end of the road.

How to Have Fun at Nakasuji Well

Nakaguchi Well is one of the places where you can get a sense of what life was like on Taketomi Island in the past.

Nearby is "Nbufuru HillSince there are attractions like “...” and the “Waterworks Monument,” we recommend combining them into your sightseeing itinerary—perhaps by renting a bike.

Details on the Nakasuji Well

Nagi-ka is a steeply sloped, stone-lined well made of limestone, shaped like a mortar, located in a village on Taketomi Island. It measures 5 meters in diameter and 7.5 meters in depth.

It is the largest well on Taketomi Island, and there is still water at the bottom.

As mentioned above, there is a legend associated with this well.

Legend has it that during a drought, the dog kept by Arashibana Kasanaari—the village-founding deity of Nakasuji Village—had a wet tail. When people followed the trail left by the dog, they discovered this well.

Because this well water is extremely rare—it never dries up, even during droughts—it was used for the “first water of the New Year” and for bathing newborns.

Until 1976 (Showa 51), when the undersea water pipeline from Ishigaki Island was completed, it served as a vital lifeline and a valuable source of drinking water.

Surrounded by lush greenery, it has a very mystical atmosphere.

There are several small wells in the villages on Taketomi Island, but this one is particularly large and well worth seeing.

This well is built of limestone, and its shape is modeled after the sitting posture of the dog said to have discovered the Nakasuji Well.

As I mentioned earlier, it was used for the New Year’s “wakamizu” ritual and for bathing newborns, but because it had such an abundant water supply, it was also used for farming and made a significant contribution to Nakasuji Village.

Near this well, there are many spots where you can experience the history and culture of Taketomi Island, such as Nmbuhuru Hill and the Waterworks Monument.

Be sure to take a stroll there along with Nakasuji Well.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Nakasuji Well

Nbufuru Hill

Nmbuhuru Hill is located toward the southern end of the village on Taketomi Island, and the observation deck built on top of it is the highest point on the island.

Since the Nagomi Tower is more famous, few people know this, but the Nmbuhuru Observation Deck is actually the highest point on the island.

There is an interesting anecdote about how this hill came to be.

Long ago, a cow that was being raised in the village escaped one night and used its horns to form this hill.

The next morning, a cow was found mooing "Nmbful, Nmbful" on top of this hill, and it was named Nmbful Hill.

The Nmbufuru Observation Deck, built on this hill at an elevation of 20 meters, offered views of the townscape of Taketomi Island, as well as Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island.

However, while it’s currently closed to the public along with the Nagomi Tower, you might as well take a look at it while you’re in the area.

Kohamoto Utaki

The Sachimoto (Kohamamoto) Ontake is a sacred site located south of the Nmbful Hill mentioned earlier.

Although there are few Shinto shrines in the Yaeyama Islands, including Taketomi Island, there are many sacred sites called “Utaki” where Okinawan deities are enshrined.

There are 28 utaki on Taketomi Island, six of which are called “Mūyama” and are considered the most important; the Sachimoto (Kohamoto) Utaki is one of these Mūyama.

In addition to this Ontake, there are several other famous Ontakes within the village, such as Nishitou Ontake, so be sure to visit them as well.

Former Yonaguni Residence

The Former Yonaguni Family Residence, built in 1913, is a traditional building on Taketomi Island that offers insight into the island’s modern housing styles and way of life; as such, it was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2007.

This split-level house consists of the main house, "Fuya," and the kitchen, "Tora," connected side by side, making it a sight worth seeing.

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Details on the Nakasuji Well

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