How to get to and play in Yaima-mura, a sightseeing spot on Ishigaki Island!

Hello everyone!
Let's get right to it,The Theme Park at Japan's Southernmost and Westernmost PointsAre you familiar with the
The answer lies on Ishigaki Island."Ishigaki Yaimamura"It is.
A village! you may think, but the theme park retains the atmosphere of a village typical of Yaeyama.
In this article, we’ll show you how to get to Ishigaki Yaima Village—a place that preserves the traditional landscape of the Yaeyama Islands—and how to enjoy your visit there.

 

What is Yaima Village?

 

 

Ishigaki Yaimamura is,A nature-rich theme park that recreates the traditional Yaeyama-style houses of days gone byIt is located on a small hill overlooking Nagura Bay, one of Ishigaki Island's scenic spots.
Within the village,Four traditional houses with red-tiled roofs, each over 100 years old, that were relocated from the center of Ishigaki IslandThey are lined up here. All of them are nationally registered tangible cultural properties.
The sound of the sanshin echoes from the traditional house, and there are plenty of activities that let you experience Yaeyama culture, such as trying on traditional Ryukyu attire and painting shisa statues.

 

 

Water buffalo lounge around in the villageBuffalo PondOh, a National Special Natural MonumentObservation Cage for Crowned Eagles, ,The Squirrel Monkey ForestThere are also things like that.
"Yonna," a crested eagle living in a cage, lost the ability to fly in a traffic accident and has been cared for at Yaima Village for the rest of his life.A rare facility where you can observe the crested eagle—a species rarely encountered in the wild—up closeIt is.
In addition, Yaima Village is adjacent to the “Nagura Amparu” wetland, which is designated under the Ramsar Convention, and visitors can walk from the village to the mangrove trail.

 

 

Directions to Yaima Village

Ishigaki Yaimamura is located on the western side of Ishigaki Island, near Nagura Bay.About a 20-minute drive from the Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal, and about a 30-minute drive from New Ishigaki AirportThis is a general guideline.
From downtown, head north on Prefectural Route 79; the landmark is just past the Nagura Bridge.

・車: About 20 minutes from Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal / About 30 minutes from New Ishigaki Airport
・scheduled bus: About a 1-minute walk from the “Motomegura” bus stop; about a 7-minute walk from the “Yaima Village Entrance” bus stop
・parking lot: Approximately 100 passenger cars (large buses permitted)

Since the number of local buses (Higashi Transport) is limited,It's a good idea to check the schedule in advance for peace of mind.It is.

▶ View Ishigaki Yaima Village on Google Maps

 

More information about Yaimamura

 

 

Ishigaki Yaima Village is a theme park—much like an open-air museum—where visitors can experience the culture and way of life of the Yaeyama Islands.
You can go inside many of these traditional houses, andRelax on the engawa or tour the “Uminchu House” and “Harusa House,” which recreate life in the pastYou can do that.
The fishermen's houses display traditional Sabani fishing boats and fishing gear, while the farmers' houses feature farming tools and hearths.
In addition, from the “Anparu Tower”—an observation deck approximately 5 meters high—you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nagura Bay, andOn clear days, you can see all the way to Taketomi Island, Kohama Island, and Iriomote Island.It's a spot with a breathtaking view.

 

 

For meals, head to the area near the entrance"Mezo Drive-In: Anparu Shokudo"...where you can enjoy it.No entrance fee requiredSo it's perfect for a lunch break during a road trip.
The menu features a variety of dishes made with local ingredients, including the popular Yaeyama soba, soft-bone soki soba, and juicy (Okinawan-style mixed rice). Since the restaurant is open only for lunch, be sure to arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Within the village"Gettō Chaya"Well then,Sata Andagi Made Using Grandma's Old-Fashioned RecipeYou can enjoy shaved ice made with brown sugar and homemade drinks. You can even enjoy them while sitting on the tatami mats at the historic "Kishaba Residence."
*A village entrance fee is required to use the Getto Tea House.

 

How to play Yaima Village

 

 

Yaima Village is a popular tourist destination where visitors can enjoy a wealth of cultural experiences as well as interact with animals and nature. Here, we’ll introduce the different ways to enjoy Yaima Village, one by one.

 

Squirrel Monkey Forest

 

 

At the Squirrel Monkey Forest, we keep Bolivian squirrel monkeys—native to Central and South America—in an environment that closely mimics their natural habitat, making use of the subtropical natural forest. Currently,More than 60 squirrel monkeys born on the islandI'm living a carefree life.
You can go into the forest and observe them up close, andIf you sit still, they might even climb onto your shoulders or handsYes, there is.
Please leave your belongings on the shelf just inside the entrance and empty your pockets before entering. The key is not to chase or try to catch the squirrel monkeys—just wait for them to approach you.

*The squirrel monkey feeding experience has been suspended as of July 20, 2026.

 

・Mangrove Walk

 

 

The mangroves in Yaima Village are adjacent to the “Nagura Anpar,” which was designated under the Ramsar Convention in 2005.
Part of the walking trail is a wooden deck, so,Observe mangroves without getting your feet dirty or harming the natural environmentCan be done.
You might encounter creatures unique to brackish waters, such as large fiddler crabs or the Southern Leaping Goby, which skips across the water's surface.
In addition,Guided mangrove tours are for groupsThis is the plan.

 

 

・Ya-ashibi

 

 

"Ie-ashibi" refers to "home entertainment," in which people sing and dance to traditional folk songs that have been passed down in the Yaeyama Islands for generations. At the historic "Makishi Residence,"A folk music show featuring live sanshin music, singing, and dancingYou can enjoy the
Highlights include:The famous grandma who dances with a one-shō bottle balanced on her head. The lively banter and cheers from Grandma and Grandpa really get the crowd going.
The official website lists showtimes at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. (each lasting about 20 minutes), but times are subject to change, so please check on the day of the event.

 

・Ryukyu Costume Experience

Ryukyu attire is a traditional costume that developed during the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is characterized by wide, airy sleeves and a loose, flowing cut that allows the tropical breeze to pass through easily.
A variety of costumes, including those worn by royalty, the samurai class, commoners, dancers, and Eisa performersIt’s available in sizes suitable for everyone from newborns onward, regardless of age or gender. With a full range of accessories, such as floral headpieces and umbrellas, it’s perfect for commemorative photos with family or as a couple.

・Experience Fee: 1,000 yen per item
・the time required: About 15 to 20 minutes

 

・Shisa Painting Workshop

In this workshop, you’ll paint an unglazed shisa in your favorite colors to create your very own original shisa. Shisa are Okinawan talismans said to protect homes from evil spirits when placed at the entrance or by a window.
Since we're using quick-drying paint,You can take it home with you that same dayThat's another great feature.

・Experience Fee: 1 piece: 1,800 yen / Pair: 3,300 yen
・the time required: About 60 to 90 minutes

 

・Stardust Art Workshop

This is a hands-on activity where you fill a small bottle with star-shaped star sand and colored sand to create your own original piece. Star sand is actually the shells of tiny creatures that live in the waters around the Yaeyama Islands.
Fun for everyone, from young children to adultsSo, it's a great way to create travel memories.

・Experience Fee: 1,000 yen
・the time required: About 30 minutes

The Shisa Painting Workshop and Star Sand Art Workshop are,You can experience this at the Meikura Drive-In, which has no entrance fee.. Please note that some activities may be suspended, so please check with the on-site activity desk for details.

 

Stargazing

Ishigaki Island is part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, which includes the island,Designated as Japan's First "Dark Sky Reserve"It is a beautiful island known for its stars. You can see 84 of the 88 constellations, including the Milky Way and the Summer Triangle, of course, as well as the Southern Cross—a sight rarely seen on Honshu.

 

Since Yaima Village is a facility designed for daytime enjoyment, stargazing at night isWe recommend taking a stargazing tour on Ishigaki IslandThat's right. During the day, experience Yaeyama culture in Yaimamura, and at night, under a sky full of stars...astronomical observationIf you enjoy these activities, you'll be able to fully experience the charms of Ishigaki Island in just one day.
In addition, Yaima Village offers stargazing tours for groups (please contact Yaima Village for details).

 

 

 

summary

 

 

We’ve introduced Ishigaki Yaimamura. What did you think?
Yaima Village is,A theme park at the southernmost and westernmost points of Japan where you can experience the culture and traditional way of life of the Yaeyama Islands with all five sensesIt is.
The following is a list of recommendations for such a Yaima Village.

 

 

Check out the information above, and be sure to pay a visit to Yaimamura.
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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