How to Get to Taketomi Island and What to do There
If you are curious what a traditional Ryukyu Village used to look like then visiting Taketomi Island might be one of the best preserved villages in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa, Japan. A quick 10-minute ferry ride from the Island of Ishigaki, is the small island of Taketomi. Rent a bicycle and explore the islands beautiful beaches, traditional houses, and enjoy the relaxed island atmosphere.
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Assuming you are already on the island of Ishigaki or have plans to travel to Ishigaki, then getting to Taketomi Island is easy and straight forward.
Taketomi Island is only accessible by boat and there are two ferry services that run to Taketomi Island from Ishigaki Port: Anei Kanko and Yaeyama Sightseeing Ferry, YKF. I recommend viewing each ferry service for up to date pricing and times.
Reservations are not required, I simply went to Ishigaki Port in the morning, went to the ticket counter and picked a ferry time that worked best for my schedule. I would recommend to go earlier then planned on holidays or busy times of the year to secure your spot on the ferry.
Generally, ferries go about every 30 minutes from Ishigaki Port to Taketomi Island. I recommend purchasing roundtrip tickets at Ishigaki Port.
For updated ferry times and prices, visit the websites for Anei Kanko or Yaeyama Sightseeing Ferry, YKF.
Getting Around Taketomi Island
Taketomi Island is not that big and can be explored in many different ways. Private vehicles are not allowed on the island, but you can rent bicycles, rely on the bus, walk, or get a glimpse of the island on the back of a cart being pulled by a water buffalo.
Taketomi Island is big enough where walking would be strenuous, especially if wanting to visit multiple attractions.
The water buffalo ride is touristy and I don’t really support putting an animal through the stress, especially during the hot summer months.
The bus does take visitors to the village from the ferry port and can make stops at some of the more popular beaches.
The most popular means of getting around Taketomi Island and my recommended method is by bicycle.
If planning on renting a bike, there are tours that wait at the ferry port with their fans. Simply sign up and they bus you to and from the bike shop and the ferry.
You can get a variety of bikes from cruises to E-bikes. We opted for the cheaper cruiser and enjoyed every minute of it. Prices change, so I recommend double checking with the tour operator at the ferry port for costs per hour, half day, or full day.
In general, the paths around the island were safe and maintained. There was quite a bit of loose gravel in the village, so be careful. Once outside the village, there was a paved road that led to some of the popular beaches.
Spending Your Time Here: Things to Do
A half day at Taketomi Island is plenty of time to relax at one of the beaches, explore the village, and grab lunch. After all, the island is not that big and you want to make sure to get back to the ferry port at a reasonable time. Here are some of the things to do on Taketomi Island that I recommend to make the most out of your time here.
Wander the Traditional Ryukyu Village
Besides the beautiful beaches, Taketomi is most known for its preserved Ryukyu Village. Here, you get to see traditional homes, their lands, and the gravel roads networks linking the island together.
Every alley you wander down will be unique. Pay attention to the red clay roofs, the Shisa statues (Guardian Lions), protective walls, and the beautiful flowers that grow here.
Try Local Food and Drinks
While exploring the village, why not stop at a local cafe or restaurant to try local Okinawan cuisine.
There is a restaurant called Kanifu that serves Okinawan Soba, taco rice, and many other local dishes.
I actually stopped at a restaurant called Grill Garden Taruriya. At the time, I was more thirsty and hot then hungry so I ordered a fresh Shikuwasa juice and mango shaved ice. Both super flavorful and refrehing.
Beaches
Other then exploring the village on Taketomi Island, it is recommended to visit some of the beaches, especially on the western side of the island.
The beaches are easily accessible by bikes. Most the beaches we visited had bike parking. It’s Japan, so your bike is safe here.
Kondoi Beach is popular, especially during low tide when you can walk to the sandbars. Not a whole lot to see for snorkelers as the bottom is primarily sandy, but it’s nice to dip your toes in the water.
Kaiji Beach is another one that is worth stopping at. I came here mostly for the views. There were a few others here but no one was in the water.
There were other secluded beaches on Taketomi Island. Some, we had the whole beach to ourselves.
Nishi Pier
Nishi Pier is best accessed by bicycle as it is on the western side of the island just outside of the village.
Nishi Pier is a popular tourist attraction. It’s just a pier that extends into the beautiful waters off the coast of Taketomi Island.
The highlights here are the views of Iriomote Island off in the distance, the beautiful crystal clear water, and the tropical fish and other marine wildlife that can be seen in the water.
Conclusion
If visiting Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture, especially for multiple days, it’s highly recommended to take the 10-minute ferry ride to Taketomi Island. Taketomi Island is a great opportunity for visitors to see what traditional Ryukyu villages used to look like across the prefecture. Rent a bike to explore the island and see a few of the gorgeous beaches and other attractions.
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