Ishigaki Island - Yui Road -

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 [...]. (20 in total) アクティビティの詳細を見る

Scenery along Yui Road

Street Scenes	There are sidewalks, so it's great for a stroll
Yui Road Signage

Source:4travel

Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!
↓Click here for more information.

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

What is Yui Road?

It is located on a wide street that runs east to west through downtown Ishigaki, just north of Euglena Mall.

Although the street isn't quite as bustling as Euglena Mall, it has a good selection of restaurants, souvenir shops, and variety stores, making it a convenient place to eat and shop.

There's also a convenience store (FamilyMart) at the Okawa Nishi intersection, which is convenient.

To the east of the street is the Yaeyama Museum, and to the west are tourist attractions such as Tōrin-ji Temple and Gongen-dō Hall.

How to Get to Yui Road

Yui Road is located about a 25-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport and about a 4-minute drive from the Remote Islands Terminal.

●If you're coming from New Ishigaki Airport
After leaving New Ishigaki Airport, head south on Route 390, cross the Todoroki River, and turn right at the sixth T-intersection.

. Follow the road for a while, turn left at the T-intersection where Route 209 joins, and then turn right at the Y-intersection after crossing the Miyara River.

After turning right, turn left immediately and follow the road south.

Turn right at the intersection with the goat meat processing and sales shop on your right, then turn left at the intersection where the road merges with Route 87.

Continue straight along the road, turn right at the intersection in front of the agricultural high school, and then turn left at the intersection where Mansei Kannon Street joins the road.

It merges with Yui Road at the Okawa (West) intersection.

● If you're coming from the Remote Islands Terminal
After exiting the Remote Islands Terminal, take the road on your left, continue straight past City Hall Street, and you’ll merge with Yui Road at the fourth intersection.

How to Have Fun on Yui Road

It's located on a street not far from Euglena Mall, so let's go for a walk there together.

Also, the massive banyan tree at the Kuniyoshi family’s home is nearby, so I recommend visiting it while you’re there.

There’s also a place nearby called “Raika-yo,” which serves the best Yaeyama soba.

Details on Yui Road

Yui Road is a wide street that runs east to west through downtown Ishigaki Island, passing north of Euglena Mall.

Although not quite as bustling as Euglena Mall, Yui Road is also lined with a variety of shops.

Below, we’ll introduce some popular spots along Yui Road.
Perhaps because it’s located in the city center, it’s bustling with tourists, and while new stores are opening at Euglena Mall, Yui Road has retained its original charm.

● Yui Road Theater
Yui Road Theater is a small theater that opened in 2018 after renovating a movie theater that closed about 30 years ago; it is the southernmost small theater in Japan.

Through services such as film screenings and theater performances, this theater promotes and preserves the performing arts and culture of the Yaeyama Islands.

You can enjoy performances with the high degree of freedom that only small theaters can offer.

・Popular spots along Yui Road

Gongen-do

Gongen-dō is located at the western end of Yui Road and is a small hall attached to the Nio statues at Tōrin-ji, a temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.

Built in 1614 along with Tōrin-ji Temple, it is known as the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa.

Although it was severely damaged along with Tōrin-ji Temple during the Meiwa Tsunami, it was rebuilt in 1786 and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

This building is characterized by its unique design, featuring animals, bold patterns, and ornate decorations.

Since it's close to the city center, it's a great spot for a stroll while enjoying a meal or taking a break.

Penguin Cafeteria

Hen-gin Shokudo is a restaurant located near the center of Yui Road, and it is the birthplace of Ishigaki Island chili oil.

Since Ishigaki Island chili oil-flavored potato chips were released a while back, some of you may have tried them before.

The Ishigaki Island chili oil distributed nationwide is produced by Hen Gin Shokudo and is handmade using ingredients native to Ishigaki Island, such as salt, local chili peppers, local black pepper, spring and autumn turmeric, brown sugar, garlic, white sesame seeds, black beans, and sansho pepper.

Since it’s made in the cafeteria, production is limited, and it’s known as a “rare” chili oil.

It has a unique flavor and taste that combines spiciness with a mellow richness.

If you've never tried it before, please give it a try.

MIRA Museum of Photography
The MIRA Photography Museum, located across Yui Road from Henkin Shokudo, is Ishigaki Island’s first photography museum, which opened on June 20, 2018.

The photo studio is named after Mira, the brightest star in the constellation Cetus; this star is a variable star whose brightness changes with the seasons.

The name is derived from the words “mirror” and “miracle,” and embodies the hope that, just like the first-magnitude star Mira, the photographs at the MIRA Photography Museum will allow viewers to project elements of the natural world onto their own hearts.

This photo studio pays meticulous attention to every detail—from print finishing and framing to lighting, wall colors, and display methods.

Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Yui Road

Shin-Ei Park

To get to Shin-ei Park from Yui Road, head south on the Tōrin-ji Nishi-dōri from the Tōrin-ji intersection.

Go a little further, and you'll find it on your left.

Shin-Ei Park is a spacious green park that, in addition to playground equipment, features the World Peace Bell, a monument commemorating the City’s Declaration of Peace, and a statue of “Pai-guru,” Ishigaki City’s official mascot.

It's usually a peaceful spot where local children play.

Large outdoor events, such as the Orion Beer Fest and the Tuba-Rama Festival, are often held here, so be sure to check them out!

inside the palace grounds

To reach Miyara-den from Yui Road, head north on Manseikan Street from the Okawa (West) intersection, then turn right at the Showa Shokudo Gusukuda intersection on your right.

Turn right at the end of the street, then turn left at the intersection where the Ota Morinobu Judicial Scrivener’s Office is on your left; you’ll find it on your left.

The Miyara Residence is a mansion built in 1819 by Miyara Chikunagami Tōen, a member of the Ryukyuan samurai class.

While many historic sites and residences were destroyed during the war, this is a rare surviving example of a residence built in the style of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s samurai class.

It is currently registered as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and has also been designated as a National Scenic Spot.

Ishigaki Family Garden

To reach the Ishigaki Garden from Yui Road, head north on the Torinji Nishi-dori from the Torinji intersection, then turn left at the second intersection; the garden will be on your right.

The Ishigaki Family Garden is recognized as one of the two historic gardens of the Yaeyama Islands and has been designated a National Scenic Spot.

It was built by the Ishigaki family, who once belonged to the upper class of the Yaeyama Islands, and the garden was designed by Shiroma Chikunjo, a Ryukyuan landscape gardener.

In addition to its serene atmosphere reminiscent of a Japanese garden, it features a unique design that incorporates Ryukyu coral rocks and subtropical plants.

Since this is a private residence where descendants of the Ishigaki family still live, please admire the garden from outside unless it is open to the public.

Details on Yui Road

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