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How to Get to and Enjoy Gongen-do, a Tourist Attraction on Ishigaki Island
Hello everyone!
Do you know which is the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa? The answer is Tōrin-ji Temple. Adjacent to the Nio guardian statues at the temple’s mountain gate stands the Gongen-dō Hall. Unlike Utaki, it has been famous since the Ryukyu Dynasty as a place that enshrines the Three Deities of Kumano, alongside the Ryukyu Eight Shrines and Miyako Shrine. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the Gongen-dō.
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What Is Gongen-do?
Gongen-do is a small hall attached to the Nio guardian deity statues at Torin-ji Temple, a Rinzai Zen temple located near the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal, and is known as the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa. It is also a famous tourist attraction and is often visited as part of a walking tour that includes Tōrin-ji Temple. Although it was severely damaged by a massive tsunami, it was successfully rebuilt in 1786 and is now carefully preserved as a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property.
Directions to Gongen-do
Exit the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal and go straight down the road on your left. Turn left onto City Hall Street and continue straight. Turn right onto Torinji West Street and continue straight for a short distance; you’ll see Gongen-do next to Torinji Temple on your right.
Detailed Information on Gongen-do
Gongendo is one of the few halls attached to a temple on Ishigaki Island. To begin with, there are no shrines at all on the remote islands that make up the Yaeyama Islands, and there are only a handful of temples. On the other hand, there are “Utaki”—sacred sites that are equivalent to shrines on the mainland.
A "Mitake" is a place where deities are enshrined, and it is the site of numerous village ceremonies, harvest festivals, and other celebrations. You can see Mitake—with their torii gates and worship halls—all over the island. This really gives you a sense of just how deeply rooted Mitake culture is.
That said, the Gongen-dō is not a Utaki; rather, it is a hall dedicated to the Ryukyu Eight Shrines, the Miyako Shrine, and the Three Deities of Kumano. Surprisingly, in the *Ryukyu Kokki* (*Chronicles of the Ryukyu Kingdom*), the Gongen-dō is listed as a shrine, referred to as the ”Tōrin-ji Temple and Associated Shrine in Nankai Mountain.” Although it is such a sacred hall, it was severely damaged along with Tōrin-ji Temple by the Great Meiwa Tsunami of 1771. Although it was subsequently rebuilt, it has retained its status as Okinawa’s oldest wooden structure ever since.
The main hall of the Gongen Shrine, as rebuilt, features red roof tiles that give it a distinctly Okinawan appearance, and the animal motifs painted throughout the structure are truly eye-catching.
A nearby museum also featured exhibits related to Gongen-do, such as the ”demon mask” from Gongen-do. Since the museum also has exhibits related to Tōrin-ji, you might gain a deeper understanding of both sites if you visit them together.
Incidentally, Gongen-dō and Tōrin-ji are right next to each other, and since there’s nothing separating them—such as a torii gate—at first glance, it might look as though the two temples are standing side by side. Compared to Tōrin-ji, Gongen-dō appears more compact, but it is a fully-fledged temple complex with its own worship hall and gate.
How to Enjoy Gongen-do
The best way to enjoy Gongen-do is, of course, to explore its beautiful decorations and unique architecture. Inside the Gongen-do Shrine, you’ll find bracket supports with peony reliefs, crossbeams carved with waves and demon figures, handrails featuring Chinese lions, and corner posts carved with dragons. Since this kind of unique architecture is rarely seen on the mainland, it might be worth taking a closer look at the island’s distinctive culture surrounding these structures while you’re visiting Ishigaki Island. Additionally, because it’s close to the city center and the remote island terminal, there are plenty of dining options nearby. Below, we’ve listed some of the restaurants within walking distance of Gongen-do.
Places to Eat Near Gongen-do
・Usagiya Ishigaki Main Store
Usagiya Ishigaki Main Store is located about a 4-minute walk from Gongendo. It’s a restaurant where you can enjoy creative dishes made with local ingredients from Ishigaki Island. Every dish is generously portioned and a true delight for the palate! With excellent value for money, it’s highly recommended for families and groups of friends. The restaurant also hosts live folk music performances accompanied by the shamisen, making it a lively spot where you can sing, dance, and enjoy a good time.
It's definitely a good idea to enjoy a drink of local seafood and Orion Beer while watching the live show!
Address: 1F Nakamura Heights, 1-1 Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About a 4-minute walk from Gongen-do; a 5-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal
Phone Number: Usagiya Ishigaki Main Store
Hours: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Regular holidays:-.
Shima Soba Ichiban-chi
Shima Soba Ichibanchi is a long-established soba restaurant located about a 4-minute walk from Gongen-do, just like Usagiya. It’s right across from the Ishigaki City Hall, and you can enjoy plenty of local specialties such as Yaeyama soba and champuru.
At Shima Soba Ichibanchi, the noodles used for Yaeyama soba are thin, house-made noodles with a firm texture. The broth, made with bonito dashi, has a rich depth of flavor yet a refreshing taste that’s hard to resist. You can really sense the owner’s dedication to quality.
Address: 1-1 Aza Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Phone Number: 0980-88-1781
Hours: Lunch: 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Dinner: 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Closed: No regular holidays
Address: 285-2 Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Directions: About a 15-minute walk from Ishigaki Port
Admission: Free
summary
We’ve introduced you to Gongen-do. What did you think?
Gongen-dō, easily accessible from the Remote Islands Terminal, was a solemn hall adjacent to Tōrin-ji Temple.
Here are some of the highlights of Gongen-do:
・Adjacent to Tōrin-ji Temple
・Unique Temple and Shrine Architecture
・Easy access from downtown and the remote island terminal
・A Little Power Spot
・Plenty of restaurants in the area
Thank you for reading to the end.
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