Miyara Dunchi | Ishigaki, Important Cultural Property, Ryukyu Samurai Residence, Garden & Fees

In Ishigaki’s town, about a 7-minute walk from Euglena Mall. The red-tile residence standing quietly in a residential area is “Miyara Dunchi.” A high-ranking samurai residence of the Ryukyu Kingdom era built in 1819 (Bunsei 2), it’s designated a national Important Cultural Property as the only existing samurai residence in Okinawa Prefecture. The garden is designated a national place of scenic beauty too—a cultural-property spot where 200 years of history live and breathe.

In the Battle of Okinawa, nearly all the samurai residences on the main island burned down, but it’s a precious historical heritage that remained precisely because Ishigaki escaped the flames of war. The distinctive beauty fusing Ryukyu architecture and Japanese culture teaches us the depth of Ishigaki, which isn’t only sea and beaches. In this article, we’ll deliver a complete guide to Miyara Dunchi’s appeal, history, highlights, and access.

What Kind of Place Is Miyara Dunchi? The Prefecture’s Only Ryukyu Samurai Residence

Miyara Dunchi is a red-tile-roofed samurai residence built in 1819 (Bunsei 2) by Miyara Peechin Toen, an administrative officer of Yaeyama. “Dunchi” is a word referring to the private residence of a kashira-shoku (head official, equivalent to mayor) of the Ryukyu royal-government era. Yaeyama had three magiri (administrative districts)—Miyara, Ohama, and Ishigaki—and Miyara Dunchi was the head-official residence of the Miyara magiri.

Dwellings of the Ryukyu Kingdom era had strict standards by class. Miyara Dunchi has a history of being ordered demolished 5 times, as “too splendid, unbefitting a Yaeyama head official.” Even so, the Miyara family did not yield, finally obeying an order to re-thatch with kaya (thatch) in 1875, and being returned to tile-roofing again in 1899—it’s a residence hiding a history of strong will.

A miraculous building that survived the Battle of Okinawa

Due to the Battle of Okinawa, nearly all the samurai residences on the Okinawa main island burned down. However, Ishigaki was not caught up in flames of war as much as the main island, and Miyara Dunchi was able to miraculously retain its form of those times. Here lies the reason it was designated a national Important Cultural Property as “the only building in Okinawa Prefecture retaining the architectural style of a samurai residence as it was at the time.”

Miyara Dunchi Highlights | The Fusion Beauty of Ryukyu Architecture and a Japanese Garden

The red-tile roof and the style of Ryukyu architecture

Miyara Dunchi’s main house uses a traditional red-tile roof, along with building materials strong against moisture and insect damage—hard Yaeyama-grown inumaki (Buddhist pine) that doesn’t attract insects, Yakushima cedar, and chinaberry. The nuki-gi-style construction method using no nails at all, and a construction still in good shape even 200 years on, speak of the advanced building techniques of the time.

Since the Miyara family still lives in the building itself, indoor viewing isn’t possible, but you can carefully appreciate the exterior from the garden.

The dry-landscape garden made by Gusukuma Peechin

What spreads at the right rear of the main house is a Kyoto-style dry-landscape garden created by the famous Shuri garden master Gusukuma Peechin. The composition of an artificial hill arranging great stones of coral limestone, a dry waterfall, and a stone bridge is distinctive—a precious Japanese garden designated a national place of scenic beauty too.

Within the garden, tree species typical of a Japanese old folk house and Okinawan trees are mixed-planted—fukugi, sotetsu (cycad), shuro (windmill palm), haibyakushin (shore juniper), camellia, nanten (nandina), and Yaeyama black wood—and you can savor a splendid eclecticism of Ryukyu culture and Japanese culture.

The hinpun (screen) and the yakui-mon

The 462-tsubo residence is surrounded by a stone wall (sekisho), and on the south face stands a yakui-mon-style front gate. Inside there’s a tsuiji-bei-style hinpun (screen), which is a feature of Ryukyu architecture.

A hinpun is a “blind” set up between the gate and the main house, combining a role of warding off evil, a blind from the street, and a design where the south wind passes through to the residence. The central gate was a special gate used only during important rites, auspicious occasions, and inauspicious occasions.

Miyara Dunchi Documents | historical materials of Yaeyama

At Miyara Dunchi, old documents (the “Miyara Dunchi Documents”) such as the “Manshofu-shu” were stored. Precious historical materials conveying Yaeyama’s history such as the Great Meiwa Tsunami and the Disposition of Ryukyu, they are now donated to and stored at the University of the Ryukyus, and were also designated a national Important Cultural Property in March 2025.

Miyara Dunchi Basic Information / Fees

Item	Details
Location	178 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Hours	9:00–17:00 (subject to change)
Closed	Tuesdays (subject to change, confirm needed)
Admission (adult)	¥200
Admission (child)	¥100
Parking	None (in town, so foot access)
Time needed	20–30 min
Building	National Important Cultural Property
Garden	National place of scenic beauty

You can’t enter the building | view from the garden

At Miyara Dunchi, the Miyara family still resides. Therefore you can’t enter the inside of the building, and it takes the form of viewing the exterior from the garden. Sitting on the engawa (veranda) and gazing carefully at the garden is OK. There’s also a display of everyday items used at the time, and a postcard service.

Access to Miyara Dunchi

Departure point	Time needed	Method
New Ishigaki Airport	About 30 min by car/bus	Get off at “Sanbashi-dori” bus stop, 3-min walk
Ishigaki Port Remote-Island Terminal	About 10 min on foot	To the north side of town
Euglena Mall	About 7 min on foot	North from the shopping street

Along with town sightseeing

Miyara Dunchi is in the center of Ishigaki’s town, and it’s possible to visit within a 10-minute walk from the remote-island terminal or Euglena Mall. Although there’s no dedicated parking, it’s a location you can casually drop by along with town sightseeing.

Nearby Spots to Enjoy Together with Miyara Dunchi

Euglena Mall | Ishigaki’s largest shopping street

Euglena Mall, about 7 minutes on foot from Miyara Dunchi. Ideal for souvenir hunting and an island-cuisine lunch. It’s easy to incorporate into a town-strolling course.

Chorinji | Yaeyama’s oldest temple

Chorinji, about 10 minutes on foot from Miyara Dunchi. Yaeyama’s oldest temple, founded in 1614, a history spot you’ll want to visit together with the adjacent Gongendo.

Ishigaki Public Market | a treasure house of local ingredients

The Ishigaki Public Market in the town center. A market where Yaeyama’s seafood, vegetables and souvenirs are gathered all in one place, beloved by tourists and locals alike.

Miyara Dunchi FAQ

Can I enter the building?

No, since the Miyara family still resides there, you can’t enter the inside of the building. Viewing from the garden is basic.

How long does it take?

About 20–30 minutes. History lovers and those particular about photography can enjoy it for about 1 hour.

Can I enjoy it with kids?

Since it’s viewing a historical structure, with children a short stay of about 20 minutes is recommended. As an opportunity to learn history, it’s an interesting spot for elementary-school age and up.

Is there parking?

There is no dedicated parking. Use a paid parking lot around the remote-island terminal or near Euglena Mall, and head there on foot.

Summary | Meet a Ryukyu Kingdom-Era Samurai Residence at Miyara Dunchi

Miyara Dunchi is the only Ryukyu Kingdom-era samurai residence in Okinawa Prefecture, built in 1819. A national Important Cultural Property building and a national place of scenic beauty dry-landscape garden remain in Ishigaki’s town across 200 years of time. It’s a presence you could call a miraculous historical heritage that survived the Battle of Okinawa.

The casualness of being within walking distance of the remote-island terminal and Euglena Mall, an admission of ¥200, and a time needed of 20–30 minutes. Drop by amid town sightseeing and be sure to savor the beauty fusing Ryukyu culture and Japanese culture.