Taketomi Island (竹富島) is a small island located in the Yaeyama Islands group, which is part of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. It is situated about 4 kilometers southwest of Ishigaki Island, the largest island in the Yaeyama Islands.
Taketomi Island is known for its traditional Okinawan houses with red-tiled roofs and white sand roads, and its well-preserved traditional Okinawan village, which is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government. The village features traditional Okinawan architecture, such as stone walls and gatehouses, and is surrounded by sugar cane fields and banyan trees.
Visitors can take a leisurely walk through the village to admire the traditional houses and learn about the island’s history and culture at the Taketomi Island Traditional Culture Preservation Museum. The island is also known for its beautiful beaches, such as Kondoi Beach, which is famous for its shallow turquoise waters.
In addition to its cultural and natural attractions, Taketomi Island is also known for its local cuisine, such as soba noodles made from locally grown flour and Goya Champuru, a stir-fry dish made with bitter melon.
Getting there
- First, you need to get to Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal on Ishigaki Island.
- From Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal, take a ferry to Taketomi Island:
- Travel time: About 10-15 minutes
- Fare: 790 yen one-way, 1,520 yen round trip for adults (as of October 2024)
- Frequency: Approximately one ferry per hour
- There are two ferry companies operating this route:
- Anei Kanko Ferry
- Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
- It’s recommended to purchase ferry tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons when reservations are essential.
- To get from Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal:
- By bus: About 30-40 minutes, 500-540 yen
- By taxi: About 30 minutes, approximately 3,000 yen
