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Historic village · Taketomi, Okinawa
Taketomi Village
The central village of Taketomi Island, with low red-tiled houses, shisa guardian lions on the roofs, coral-stone walls and white-sand streets. It is a designated preservation area for traditional Japanese buildings.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Taketomi Village in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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Discover
About Taketomi Village
Taketomi village occupies the center of the island and comprises three old neighborhoods with single-story houses, red-tiled roofs fixed with white mortar and ceramic guardian lions, the shisa, protecting each home. Plots are enclosed by stacked coral-stone walls and hedges of hibiscus and bougainvillea, and the streets are covered in white sand, swept by residents early each morning.
The ensemble was designated in 1987 as a preservation area for groups of traditional Japanese buildings, and locals follow rules to maintain the style, even for new houses. It is one of the few villages in Okinawa where this landscape is preserved on such a scale. Small sacred sites, called utaki, are found among the houses and are not open to visitors.
The best-known sightseeing activity is the tour in a water-buffalo-drawn cart, during which the driver often sings Yaeyama songs while playing the sanshin. Bicycles rented near the port also take you to the Nagomi-no-to viewpoint, the Yugafukan visitors’ center with exhibits about the island’s culture and festivals, and to the beaches.
Around the island are Kondoi Beach, with shallow water and white sand, Kaiji Beach, famous for its star-shaped sand formed by the shells of tiny marine organisms, and Nishi Sanbashi pier, popular at sunset. The village is inhabited: respect gates and private yards.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 4 hours.
Best time
Early morning on the first boats, or late afternoon after the day-trip groups have returned to Ishigaki. March to June and September to November are less hot. Boats can be suspended in strong winds.
How to get there
The boat from Ishigaki terminal reaches Taketomi port in about 10 to 15 minutes. From the port, the village is about 1 km away; bicycle and cart rental shops often offer transfers.
Tip
Do not enter private yards or climb on walls for photos: the houses are lived in. Do not take star sand from Kaiji Beach. Use sunscreen and a hat, as there is little shade in the streets.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Taketomi Village
What is the water-buffalo cart ride like on Taketomi?
A roughly 30-minute ride along the sandy streets of the village in a cart pulled by a water buffalo, usually with the driver singing and playing sanshin.
What is Taketomi’s star sand?
Star-shaped grains formed from the shells of tiny marine organisms, found mainly on Kaiji Beach. You should not take sand from the beach.
Is Taketomi village inhabited?
Yes. Residents maintain houses in the traditional style under their own rules. Respect gates and yards and do not enter the household shrines between houses.
Where to watch the sunset in Taketomi?
At Nishi Sanbashi pier on the west coast, with a view of the sea and, in the distance, Iriomote and Kohama.
Beyond the guide
