Taketomi Island

Taketomi, an island preserving the traditions of the Ryukyus

Taketomi is a small island in the Yaeyama archipelago, part of Okinawa Prefecture in the far south of Japan. Located just a short distance from Ishigaki, it is best known for its traditional village, tropical beaches and peaceful atmosphere.

The main settlement preserves numerous houses built in the traditional Okinawan style, with red-tiled roofs, stone walls and small shisa statues, the protective figures characteristic of the Ryukyu Islands. Streets covered with white sand add to the distinctive appearance of the village.

Taketomi is a very small island and can easily be explored on foot or by bicycle. Its compact size makes it possible to combine a visit to the historic village with beaches and coastal scenery in a single day.

What to see on Taketomi Island

Taketomi village is the heart of the island. Walking through its quiet streets, visitors pass traditional houses surrounded by stone walls and gardens filled with subtropical vegetation.

Near the centre is Nagomi Tower, in an area that provides a good impression of Taketomi’s characteristic landscape of red roofs and white streets.

One of the island’s best-known beaches is Kondoi Beach, with pale sand and shallow turquoise water. It is an attractive place to relax and enjoy Taketomi’s tropical surroundings.

Another distinctive location is Kaiji Beach, famous for the tiny star-shaped grains of sand that can be found along the shore.

One of Taketomi’s traditional images is that of water-buffalo carts, which carry visitors slowly through the streets of the village and have become closely associated with tourism on the island.

When to visit Taketomi

Its subtropical climate makes Taketomi accessible for much of the year. Spring and autumn generally offer pleasant temperatures, while summer is hot and humid and also falls within the typhoon season.