Taketomi Island-Taketomi Folk Art Museum

Ishigaki Island Tourist Information

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

Ishigaki Island Car Rental Ishigaki Island Tours offers easy comparison and reservation of rental car plans for Ishigaki Island! It takes about 3 hours to go around Ishigaki Island by car. If you want to visit all the sightseeing spots efficiently, you need to rent a car! There are plans that include free pick-up from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, car navigation system, no need to return a full tank of gas, and even child seats. We also introduce other means of transportation other than rental cars! (29 total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!

Ishigaki Island Rides (Bike Rental & Bicycle Rental) Activities There are many other ways to get around in Ishigaki Island☆ Ishigaki Island Vehicle Activity Feature Ishigaki Island is dotted with attractive spots such as beautiful ocean, mountains, and observatories where you can overlook the magnificent nature. With such favorable conditions, how can you not go driving touring in Ishigaki Island [...]. (22 in total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

About the Taketomi Folk Art Museum

This is a place where you can see traditional textiles from Taketomi Island. You can not only view informational panels about Taketomi Island’s famous Minsa and Bashō weaves but also watch the actual weaving process in action.

You can also try your hand at weaving, so it’s a great idea to give it a try! ♪

How to Get to the Taketomi Folk Art Museum

It is located about a 15-minute walk or a 10-minute bike ride from Taketomi Port.

① Leave Taketomi Port and head straight toward the village.

② When you see “Taketomi Island Pāra Ganju-ya” and “Shimayado Ganju-ya” on your left, turn right at the next intersection.

③ If you continue straight along the road, you'll see the Taketomi Folk Art Museum on your left.

How to Enjoy Your Visit to the Taketomi Folk Art Museum

You can learn about the traditional textiles of Taketomi Island through displays and live demonstrations. If you have time, be sure to try your hand at weaving.

If you're looking for a quick tryout, a coaster that's about 10 cm square is perfect—you can finish it in less than an hour!

You can also make tablecloths using the Minsah weaving technique.

Details on the Taketomi Folk Art Museum

The Taketomi Folk Art Museum was established to accurately pass down and further develop the traditional weaving culture of Taketomi Island to future generations. The museum houses numerous looms, which are used by the island’s residents.

You'll find a variety of exhibits, including Minsa weaving and traditional textiles, all laid out for you to explore—and you can learn in detail about every step of the process, from raw materials to dyeing and weaving!

During the weaving demonstration, you can watch islanders actually weaving banana-fiber cloth.

If you're interested, please be sure to stop by!

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Taketomi Folk Art Museum

Please, Shisa

Taketomi Island, which preserves the original landscape of the Yaeyama Islands, is dotted with shisa statues everywhere; however, it is unknown who placed the shisa statues with their palms pressed together as if in prayer.

Shisa statues come in a wide variety of expressions and personalities—some hold fish in their mouths, others depict parent-and-child pairs, and still others wear beaming smiles.

Amid all this, the only one seen with hands clasped in a prayer pose is the "Praying Shisa."

Also, it’s said that if you find this “wishing Shisa” on your own, your wish will come true, so be sure to give it a try!

tower of peace and quiet

Nagomi Tower is an observation deck located in the center of the village, offering a panoramic view of the entire village.

Because there are strict regulations governing the construction of buildings on Taketomi Island, all buildings—with the exception of elementary and junior high schools—are single-story, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Nbufuru Observatory

The Numbufuru Observation Deck is an observation deck built on a small hill in the village of Taketomi Island.

"The hill was named "Nbufuru Hill" because, according to legend, a cow once kept by the islanders escaped in the middle of the night and, while mooing "Nbufuru, Nbufuru,” created the hill. The observation deck built there was consequently named “Nbufuru Observation Deck.”

The original observation deck was removed at some point, but a modern reconstruction of it still stands today.

Details on the Taketomi Folk Art Museum

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

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