How to get to and play at the Gushiken Youtaka Monument, a sightseeing spot on Ishigaki Island!

Hello everyone!
Ishigaki Island superstar Yoshitaka Gushiken is the WBA World Junior Flyweight Champion and a true superstar, having made the most defenses in the world 13 times. Gushiken is known as a multi-talented person, but in fact, he used to be a professional boxer.
This article introduces the Gushiken Youtaka Monument, built in honor of such a great star Gushiken.

 

 

 

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What is the Gushiken Youkou Monument?

 

 

The monument of Yoshitaka Gushiken is a statue of Yoshitaka Gushiken erected in front of the pier of Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal on Ishigaki Island. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it was created in honor of Gushiken who established the record of the most defenses in the world 13 times, and is now active as a multi-talented person. The golden statue of Gushiken is very cool and can be found only at Ishigakijima Island Terminal, so please take a commemorative photo when you visit. It is crowded with tourists every day, so it may not be easy to take pictures during the busy season, but there are recommended times to take pictures. It is better to take pictures in the afternoon because the golden statue is retrograde in the morning.
In addition to the Gushiken Youtaka Monument, there is also the Gushiken Youtaka Memorial Museum on Ishigaki Island, which you should check out!

 

Directions to Gushiken Monument

 

Access by car

Access by car is very easy. Drive south on National Route 390, and you will find the remote island terminal at the end of the road. Inside the terminal, there is the Gushiken Youtaka Monument.

 

Access by bus

Go out the front lobby of Shin-Ishigaki Airport and walk 50 meters to the left to find the bus stop for Ishigaki Port Remote Island Ferry Terminal. Take the airport line, line 4 or line 10, and you will arrive at the last bus terminal in 40 to 50 minutes. Get off the bus and walk for about 3 minutes toward the Remote Island Terminal to access the monument.

 

More information about Gushiken Youtaka Monument

 

 

The Gushiken Youtaka Monument was established in honor of Gushiken, a native of Ishigaki Island, for his legendary reign as a world champion professional boxer and multi-talented person. There is also a memorial museum built to show how much he is loved by the people of Ishigaki Island. The face of Mr. Gushiken in this monument is not the soft smile of today, but the dignified expression of the former WBA World Junior Flyweight Champion when he was reigning as the World Champion. It is a representative photo spot of Ishigaki Island. It is a recommended spot for Gushiken Yoshitaka fans and boxing enthusiasts as well as tourists.

 

How to play Gushiken Monument

 

 

Since it is a monument, basically many people take pictures of it. It is located in front of the pier in the Remote Islands Terminal, so you can take a commemorative photo when you arrive and depart between Taketomi Island, Iriomote Island, and Kohama Island. As mentioned above, it is recommended to visit after noon when there is no backlighting. There are various sightseeing spots and restaurants near the Gushiken Youtaka Monument, some of which are introduced below.

 

Euglena Mall

 

 

Euglena Mall is located 380 meters away from Gushiken Youtaka Monument. Euglena Mall is the southernmost arcade mall in Japan, where a company that has successfully cultivated green beetles is said to have bought the name of the arcade as a token of gratitude to Ishigaki Island, which was used in the cultivation, and as a town revitalization project. Euglena Mall has more than 100 stores and is a very lively shopping mall that calls out to tourists. There are various kinds of stores, from those selling local specialties of various regions of Yaeyama to those selling miscellaneous goods and accessories, as well as small dining places and cafes. You can use it to buy more souvenirs, have a meal, or just take a rest!

 

 

Banna Park

 

 

Banna Park is located 420 meters from Gushiken Monument.
Banna Park is the largest prefectural forest park in Ishigaki Island with a circumference of 8 km centering on 230-meter-high Banna-dake.
The expansive site is divided into five zones, A to E, as shown below.
Zone A: Located at the South Exit and houses the General Information Center.
Zone B ⇒ There is an observatory, which is good for star gazing.
Zone C ⇒ Insectarium of the World, etc. can be enjoyed even when it rains.
Zone D => It is also famous as a firefly viewing spot, where you can see the unique flora and fauna of Ishigaki Island.
Zone E ⇒ Athletic and attractions are available.

 

 

 

Izakaya Marusa, Misaki

Izakaya Marusa Misaki is located 170 meters from the Gushiken Youtaka Monument.
Izakaya Marusa Misaki is a famous Izakaya on Ishigaki Island that offers island cuisine using ingredients from Ishigaki Island and local sake. During the busy summer season, the restaurant is always full. You must call in advance to make a reservation to use the restaurant.
The restaurant's recommended dishes are boiled island fish and tuna eyelets. These are such delicacies that even gourmets are smitten with them, so be sure to try them.

 

 

Hauttree Gelato Takeda

Hauttree Gelato Takeda is located 470 meters away from the Gushiken Yoko Monument.
What makes this store amazing is that it is the first marble ice cream store in Ishigaki Island to use Ishigaki ingredients!
The ice cream is available in a variety of sherbet, gelato, and soft-serve ice cream flavors. Gelato flavors are made from carefully selected island ingredients such as Hateruma brown sugar, coconut pineapple, red sweet potato, sanpin tea, salted caramel, and island pumpkin.
It is a flavor that is addictive, so please try it.

 

 

 

summary

 

 

We have introduced the Gushiken Youkou Monument. How was it?
Boxing fans will be delighted to see the Gushiken Yoshitaka Monument, which has many tourist attractions around it.
The following is a list of recommendations for such Gushiken Monument.

 

 

Please check the above and visit the Gushiken Monument.
Thank you for reading to the end.

 

 

 

This article was written by.

Hello! I'm Niwa-chan, your source for all things Ishigaki Island. I have loved to be in touch with nature since I was a child, and I am especially fascinated by the rich natural environment of Okinawa. Currently based in Ishigaki Island, I provide information on how to enjoy activities such as snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking, as well as the hidden charms of the island.

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