Travel Guide Taketomi

This small island, with a circumference of 9 km, is located southwest of Ishigaki-jima. It is located about 15 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island. Taketomi is known for its beautiful flowers that grow around its traditional houses with red tile roofs. It is a very busy place, but still relaxing and welcoming. Taketomi also has beautiful beaches. Taketomi's most distinctive feature is its protected architecture. The municipality has set standards and rules. All the houses have a maximum level, are made of wood and red tiles, and most of the paths are made of white sand. This makes it possible to visit the small village by cart pulled by a rice buffalo, sometimes accompanied by sanshin, the local shamisen. This gives an idea of the Okinawan way of life, architecture, music and use of space