Taketomi Island | Red-Tile Streets, Water Buffalo Cart, Kondoi Beach, Ferry Schedule & Access
Just 15 minutes by high-speed ferry from Ishigaki. The closest, most easily visited remote island within the Yaeyama group is “Taketomi Island.” Red-tiled houses, white-sand paths, Ryukyu-limestone stone walls, bougainvillea flowers—a beautiful, picture-book-like island where Okinawa’s original scenery remains just as it was. It’s also an island of cultural properties, with the whole village selected as a nationally Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Leisurely walking water-buffalo carts, the emerald-green Kondoi Beach, Kaiji Beach where you can find star sand—Yaeyama’s appeal is densely packed into a small island just 9 km around. It’s a special island with both the ease of enjoying it on a day trip and the depth of “Yaeyama time” you can taste by staying over. In this article, we’ll fully cover Taketomi Island’s charm, highlights, sightseeing plans and access.
What Kind of Island Is Taketomi Island? An Important Preservation District Where Okinawa’s Original Scenery Remains
Taketomi Island is a small remote island about 6 km southwest of Ishigaki, about 9 km around, with a population of about 350. It’s also the island where the Taketomi Town hall is located. Known as the island where Yaeyama’s most Okinawa-like original scenery remains, in 1987 it was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
The “utsugumi spirit (the heart of unity)” that protects the islanders’ lives and landscape still lives on, and manners that respect the island’s culture matter for tourists too. The reason for Taketomi Island’s beauty is that the island’s landscape isn’t changed—fine promises about roof color, building height and so on are kept.
The red-tiled village | a Group of Traditional Buildings
At the island’s center spread three villages (East, West and Nakasuji). Every house is colored with a red-tile roof, shisa, Ryukyu-limestone stone walls, and bougainvillea and hibiscus flowers, with white-sand lanes winding through—truly the scenery of “Okinawa’s original landscape” itself spreads out.
Taketomi Island’s Highlights and How to Enjoy Them
Water-buffalo cart sightseeing | a leisurely village stroll
Speaking of Taketomi Island, it’s above all the water-buffalo cart. A gentle-eyed water buffalo leisurely pulls you through the village—a Yaeyama tradition. The driver’s sanshin singing, island songs and light talk make for an enjoyable time too. Two shops operate it, with a time of about 30 minutes for around ¥2,000 for adults.
| Operator | Fee (guide) | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Nitta Kanko | Adult ¥2,000 / child ¥1,000 | About 30 min |
| Taketomi Kanko Center | Adult ¥2,000 / child ¥1,000 | About 30 min |
Kondoi Beach | a shallow emerald-green sea
Kondoi Beach, spreading along the island’s west coast, is a highlight of Taketomi Island sightseeing. A shallow, endlessly spreading emerald-green sea, white sand, and a sandbar appearing at low tide—it’s hugely popular on SNS as a superb-view photo spot. Swimming and snorkeling are OK too.
Kaiji Beach (the star-sand beach) | look for star-shaped sand
Kaiji Beach, right by Kondoi Beach, is famous as the “star-sand beach.” A spot where you can find star-shaped sand grains (actually the shells of foraminifera), it absorbs children and adults alike. Note that taking the sand is not allowed.
Nagomi Tower | survey the village
Nagomi Tower in Akayama Park is a 4.5 m observation tower looking down over the village. A photo spot where you can survey the scenery of red-tile roofs in a row, hugely popular with photography lovers.
Nishi Pier | a superb sunset view
Nishi Pier on the island’s west coast is a superb sunset-view point. The sunset gazed at from a pier stretching straight out to sea is breathtakingly beautiful. A spot you’ll want to visit to match the sunset time.
Rental bicycles in Taketomi village
Getting around the island is most convenient by rental bicycle. When you arrive at the port, each rental-bicycle shop’s shuttle bus waits, and you can rent for about ¥500/hour or ¥1,500/day. With few slopes, it’s reassuring for beginners too.
Taketomi Island Basic Information & Access
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa |
| Area | About 5.42 km² |
| Circumference | About 9 km |
| Population | About 350 |
| Selection | Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (1987) |
| Departure point | Time needed | Fare (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Ishigaki Port Remote-Island Terminal | About 15 min by high-speed ferry | One way, adult ¥880 |
Options for getting around the island
| Method | Fee (guide) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Rental bicycle | From ¥500/hour / ¥1,500/day | Mobile, the No. 1 favorite |
| Water-buffalo cart | Adult ¥2,000 | A leisurely village stroll |
| On foot | Free | Savor island time |
| Circuit bus | Paid | Tour the sightseeing points |
Taketomi Island Half-Day / Full-Day Model Course
Half-day course (morning only)
- 9:00 Depart from Ishigaki Port by high-speed ferry
- 9:15 Arrive at Taketomi Port, arrange a rental bicycle
- 9:30 Stroll the village (Nagomi Tower, etc.)
- 10:30 Water-buffalo cart sightseeing
- 11:30 Ocean play at Kondoi Beach
- 12:30 Return to the port and head to Ishigaki
Full-day course
- 9:00 Depart from Ishigaki Port
- 9:30 Stroll the village
- 11:00 Water-buffalo cart
- 12:00 Lunch (Yaeyama soba, etc.)
- 13:30 Relax at Kondoi Beach
- 15:00 Look for star sand at Kaiji Beach
- 16:30 A moment before the sunset viewing at Nishi Pier
- 17:30 Return to Ishigaki
Cautions When Visiting Taketomi Island
Respect the island’s culture
Taketomi Island is an island that values the “utsugumi spirit.” Since it’s also the place of residents’ daily life, spend your time observing manners—don’t peek inside houses, don’t enter sacred areas such as utaki, don’t speak loudly.
Taking sand or shells is not allowed
Taking the island’s natural objects, including star sand and shells, is prohibited. “Only observe, only photograph” is the principle.
Few eateries & convenience stores
There are no convenience stores on the island. Only a few eateries and sundries shops in the village. Prepare drinks and light meals on Ishigaki or procure them early at an island shop.
Strong-sunshine measures
The sunshine is intense, so a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential. Even by rental bicycle it’s a sweaty climate, so don’t forget to stay hydrated.
Taketomi Island FAQ
Can I enjoy it on a day trip?
Yes—you can fully enjoy the main sights in a half-day to a day. For those who want to spend it slowly, staying one night is recommended too.
Can I enjoy it with kids?
It has abundant elements kids can enjoy—water-buffalo carts, beach play, star-sand hunting. Rental bicycles have child seats too.
What’s the best season?
April–October is best. You can enjoy both swimming and water-buffalo carts. Even in winter, for sightseeing only it’s OK year-round.
Can I snorkel?
Yes—you can enjoy snorkeling at Kondoi Beach and around the island. For the serious, combining it with a Phantom Island tour is recommended too.
Summary | Experience Okinawa’s Original Scenery on Taketomi Island
Taketomi Island is the closest remote island, 15 minutes by high-speed ferry from Ishigaki. The red-tile streetscape, water-buffalo carts, Kondoi Beach, the star-sand beach—Okinawa’s original scenery is densely packed into a small island 9 km around.
With the ease of ¥880 one way and a half-day to a day to enjoy, it’s a location easy to combine with Ishigaki sightseeing. On your next trip, be sure to experience “another Okinawa,” an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
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Access
Ishigaki Island Mirais Rent a Car Ishigaki Airport Branch
783-1 Shiraho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa 907-0242, Japan
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Ishigaki Island Mirais Rent a Car Ishigaki Downtown Branch
704 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City, Okinawa 907-0004, Japan
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