🗺️ Taketomi Island竹富島

Taketomi Island, part of Taketomi Town in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, is a small island with a circumference of only 9.2 kilometers. The three villages on the island (Nishi, Higashi, and Nakazato) have been designated as important traditional building preservation areas. It is very popular due to its blue seas and white sandy beaches, and it has been recognized as a starry sky protection area where one can enjoy a sky full of stars. The island features traditional Okinawan streetscapes, with white sandy paths connecting houses with red-tiled roofs, surrounded by coral stone walls. A leisurely walk between the residences on a sightseeing ox cart is also one of the charming attractions not to be missed. Popular tourist spots include "Kondoi Beach," known for its beautiful sea and white sand, and "Kaiji Beach," famous for its star sand. Exploring the entire island takes about half a day, but if you want to enjoy the sunset and the starry night sky at "Nishi Sandbar," it is recommended to spend a night there. To get to Taketomi Island, you can take a direct flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Ishigaki Island's "New Ishigaki Airport," which takes about 3 hours. If you fly directly from Osaka Kansai Airport, it takes about 2.5 hours. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Ishigaki Port, and after a 10-minute ride on a high-speed boat, you will arrive at the island.

The traditional street scenery of Okinawa. Beaches with blue seas and white sands. A sky full of stars recognized as a starry sky protection area. Ox carts leisurely roaming through traditional villages.