Taketomi Island

Site of a traditional Ryukyu village

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#3 of 4 most visited in Yaeyama Islands

Taketomi Island (竹富島, Taketomijima) is an island just off the coast of Ishigaki Island and the site of a beautifully preserved, traditional Ryukyu village. As Taketomi Island is fairly small, it is often visited as a day trip from Ishigaki.

Thanks to preservation efforts, the small village consists almost entirely of traditional style, one-storied houses, which are surrounded by stone walls, and covered with red tiled roofs and ample lion-like shisa statues to ward of evil spirits. Some of the village's houses serve as minshuku accommodations.

Other traditional homes inside the village are used as restaurants and shops selling local food and crafts. There are no rental cars on Taketomi, and most visitors walk or rent a bicycle to travel along the village's white sand roads and to the nearby beaches.

Attractions

Water Buffalo Cart Rides

Departures from 9:30 to 15:30
Fee: 2000 yen

Two companies offer water buffalo drawn cart tours of Taketomi Village. The 30 minute tours travel around the preserved, traditional streets of the village while a Japanese speaking guide talks about the island, sings songs and plays Okinawan music on their sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument). You may notice that the guides rarely offer guidance to the water buffalo who know their routes by heart.
Nagominoto Tower

The 4.5 meter tall Nagominoto Tower sits roughly in the center of the village, from where you could have a view over most of the island; however, it is currently prohibited to climb up the tower. Combined with the hill on which it stands, the tower is about 10 meters above the surrounding houses. Below the tower is a grassy area, with a few shops and restaurants nearby.

Beaches

Taketomi Island has both sandy beaches and rocky beaches where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Except for Kondoi Beach, the beaches do not have any public facilities.

When using the beaches always beware of strong currents that can pull you out to sea and poisonous creatures such as Habu Jellyfish, a type of box jellyfish, that are most prevalent from June to October. Signs in English inform about the dangers while some beaches have netted off swimming areas. Although stings are rare, if stung you should pour vinegar over the sting, remove any tentacles, and seek medical help as it may become life threatening.

Kondoi Beach

Kondoi Beach is Taketomi Island's best beach with emerald green water with a shallow, sandy floor. It has a large white sand beach that is perfect for laying out in the sun, and warm waters to swim in, although they are too shallow to swim in during low tide. Grassy, shaded picnic areas as well as restroom, changing, and rental facilities are also available.
Kaiji Beach

This beach, together with Hoshizuna Beach on Iriomote Island, is known for its sand which is shaped like tiny stars (although it is actually made up of the skeletons of small one-celled organisms that live among the sea grass). Though a protected beach today, little star sand remains as it was bottled and sold as souvenirs in past decades. Swimming is prohibited due to strong tidal currents.

Three ferry companies operate high speed ferries and an infrequent car ferry between Ishigaki Island and Taketomi Island. Boats depart every 30 minutes between 7:30 and 17:30 with a short break around noon. The one way trip takes 10 minutes by high speed ferry or 15 minutes by car ferry. A roundtrip costs 1340 yen. Online reservations can be made through Direct Ferries.

Taketomi Island is small, and it is possible to explore the island entirely on foot or by rental bicycle (500 yen per hour, or 2000 yen per day). Another popular way to tour the village is from a water buffalo drawn cart.

The water buffalo tour operators and bicycle rental companies offer free shuttle service between the ferry terminal and their respective locations (no reservations required). Otherwise, the village can be reached in a 15 minute walk from the pier.

How to get to and around the Yaeyama Islands

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Tide Prediction: Ishigaki, Okinawa

Tide prediction for nearby Ishigaki Island.

Japanese

Yaeyama Kanko Ferry

Official website of the ferry company.

Anei Kanko

Official website of the ferry company.

Budget:

- Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima
  Mid-range
  
  Situated in Ishigaki Island, 400 metres from Fusaki Beach, Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a terrace. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is set 2.3 km from Shanishani Beach. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. The hotel offers some rooms with sea views, and rooms are equipped with a balcony. All units have a private bathroom, a hairdryer and bed linen. Guests at Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima will be able to enjoy activities in and around Ishigaki Island, like fishing. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Nei Museum of Art, Tojinbaka and Kannonzaki Lighthouse. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 18 km from Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima.
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- Guesthouse Asibina
  Budget-friendly
  
  Boasting a terrace, Guesthouse Asibina is a guest house situated in Ishigaki Island, a 15-minute walk from Yaeyama Kanko Ferry Terminal. The guest house with free WiFi is 13 km away from Yonehara Beach and Kabira Bay. Attractions in the area include Sukuji Beach, 15 km away, or Tamatorizaki Observation Point, set 21 km from the property. All guest rooms are fitted with air conditioning. Each dormitory rooms has an electrical outlet and fan. Shared bathrooms have free toiletries. Guests can benefit from a shared kitchen with a fridge and kitchenware. A washing machine and tumble dryer can be used for a fee. Ishigaki Sunset Beach is 28 km from the guest house. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 11 km from Guesthouse Asibina.
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- Joya
  Mid-range
  
  Set in Ishigaki Island in the Ishigaki Region, 200 metres from Kabira Bay, Joya features a sun terrace. Free private parking is available on site. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom equipped with a bath. Joya features free WiFi. There is a shared lounge at the property. Sukuji Beach is 1.9 km from Joya, while Yonehara Beach is 5 km away. New Ishigaki Airport is 13 km from the property.
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- Lulaliya
  Budget-friendly
  
  Set in Ishigaki Island, 300 metres from Kabira Bay, Lulaliya features air-conditioned rooms and free private parking. The bed and breakfast has a barbecue and sun terrace, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Some units feature a seating area for your convenience. Extras include slippers, free toiletries and a hair dryer. Lulaliya features free WiFi throughout the property. There is a shared lounge at the property. Sukuji Beach is 1.9 km from Lulaliya, while Yonehara Beach is 5 km away. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 13 km from Lulaliya.
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- Ishigaki Sunset Cove
  Luxury
  
  Situated on the secluded West Coast of Central Ishigaki Island, 18km from Ishigaki City, 5km from Yonehara Beach, Ishigaki Sunset Cove is set along the beach and rooms with free WiFi access. Among the various facilities of this property are an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. At the resort, the rooms come with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Selected rooms here will provide you with a kitchen with a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. The units at Ishigaki Sunset Cove come with a seating area. An alternating Western or Japanese breakfast is available daily at the property. The accommodation offers a sun terrace. The area is popular for cycling, and a limited number of rental cars are available at Ishigaki Sunset Cove. Tamatorizaki Observation Point is 5 km from the resort, while Kabira Bay is 10 km away. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 10 km from Ishigaki Sunset Cove.
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- Matsukaze The Guest House Ishigaki
  Budget-friendly
  
  Featuring free WiFi, Matsukaze The Guest House Ishigaki is located across the street from the bus stop and a supermarket. The property is 1 km from Yaeyama Museum. Property staff can assist guests with creating their travel plans and give advise on nearby areas. Featuring a terrace, this 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. The living room features tatami (woven-straw) floors and a seating area where guests can relax. A washing machine is provided for guests during their stay for their comfort, while detergent is available for an additional fee. Guests can rent a bicycle to explore the nearby areas or go snorkeling with a rental snorkeling set available on site. Ishigaki Port Ritoh Terminal is a 8-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from the guest house. Kabira Bay is 13 km from the guest house, while Yonehara Beach is 13 km away. New Ishigaki Airport is 10 km from the property.
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- Alaise De Bale Ishigaki
  Luxury
  
  Situated in Ishigaki Island, 90 metres from Idona Beach, Alaise De Bale Ishigaki features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. Guests can make use of a bar. At the hotel, rooms are fitted with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Alaise De Bale Ishigaki provides some rooms with sea views, and the rooms include a balcony. The rooms will provide guests with a fridge. An ? la carte, American or Asian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Ishigaki Island, like hiking. Tamatorizaki Observation Point is 11 km from Alaise De Bale Ishigaki, while Yaeyama Museum is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 13 km from the hotel.
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- Glamping Resort Yokabushi
  Luxury
  
  Featuring free WiFi and a restaurant, Glamping Resort Yokabushi offers accommodation in Ishigaki Island, 400 metres from Tamatorizaki Observation Point. Free private parking is available on site. A flat-screen TV is offered. Enjoy a cup of tea while looking out at the mountain or pool. Rooms have a private bathroom fitted with a bath. Extras include slippers and a hairdryer. The resort also offers free use of bicycles. Ishigaki Sunset Beach is 9 km from Glamping Resort Yokabushi, while Yonehara Beach is 10 km from the property. New Ishigaki Airport is 11 km away.
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- HOSTEL SunTerrace Ishigaki
  Budget-friendly
  
  Situated in Ishigaki Island, 1.3 km from Painuhama Artificial Beach, HOSTEL SunTerrace Ishigaki features accommodation with a garden, private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. This 1-star hostel offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.7 km from Tadahama Beach. A shared bathroom is provided in the rooms, while certain rooms are equipped with a game console. Popular points of interest near the hostel include Yaeyama Museum, Nantominzoku Museum and Euglena Mall. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 13 km from HOSTEL SunTerrace Ishigaki.
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- Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima
  Budget-friendly
  
  Situated within 2.3 km of Painuhama Artificial Beach and less than 1 km of Yaeyama Museum, Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima features rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Ishigaki Island. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Rooms are fitted with a shared bathroom, a bidet and a hairdryer, and some rooms at the hostel have a safety deposit box. At Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include 730 Monument, Euglena Mall and Nantominzoku Museum. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 15 km from Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima.
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