Getting to Taketomi Island is just a short 10 minute ride on the ferry from Ishigaki. You can purchase tickets from either Yaeyama Kankou Ferry or Anei Kankou Ferry. You can also get tickets from the Hirata Tourism office located right across from the ferry terminal. The Hirata Tourism also has an english map of Taketomi that is quite useful. The roundtrip price per person is 1100 yen. From 7:30am until 5:30pm, the ferries leave at 30 minute intervals.

Upon arriving at Taketomi, you can then walk into town, take the bus, or take free transportation to bike rentals/ox-cart rides. If you walk, just take the main road and walk for about 15 minutes. You will know when you have reached town. There is a bus that you can ride into town for 200 yen per person. If you would like to go on the tour bus, it is 1000 yen per person for 50 minutes (Taketomi Koutsu, 85-2154). If you are going to be renting a bicycle or taking the ox-cart ride, these companies will shuttle you to town for free. Their shuttles are usually waiting in the ferry parking lot. Most of the bicycle rental places charge about 300 yen per hour. As you get off the ferry, you will see a sign. If you go straight, it will take you to the bus stop. If you go left, it will take you to the free transportation for rental bicycles and ox-cart rides.

Services Available on Taketomi

Taketomi does not have very many stores. There are a few vending machines but it would be best to purchase and carry a drink with you from the ferry terminal. There is a full service post office in the middle of town.

Lodging on Taketomi

Taketomi is a small island so it is usually possible to see the entire island in one day. For those who want to relax, there are many small inns on Taketomi Island. Here is a listing of places that are available:

Stop by the newly opened Taketomi Visitors Center to read about the history and the customs of the local people. The Visitor Center features excellent video and music in their mini theatre. It also has self-explore design so their are many places and things that you can see and touch that will help you to learn about Taketomi.

Kondoi Beach is a perfect place to relax, soak in the sun, and have a BBQ. From the town area, it is about a 15 minute walk. The beach has shower and bathroom facilities. The water near the shore is very shallow and quite clean. A safe place to splash and play in the water. Good place to explore because you can walk out on the sand for quite a distance. If you walk far enough, you can find some very nice snorkeling spots. Click here to see a video of Kondoi Beach.

Kaiji Beach is a rocky beach that has the famous star sand. To find star sand, open your hand and place your palm on the sand. When you lift it up, you should be able to find some star sand stuck to your hand.

The area is also home to the festival called "Tanedori". Tanedori is a type of harvest festival that takes place once a year. It is a festival in which the villagers dance, sing, and also stage fake battles. An interesting part of Tanedori is when the women of the town participate in a type of wrestling match. They swing each other around using their arms. The festival is an excellent way to see the more than 600 years of history that has been passed on through the generations. This festival is usually held sometime in November.

The town has been preserved in the traditional style so it is worth walking around and exploring the area. Another must see stop is the lookout tower that is near the middle of town. Although steep and narrow, this lookout gives you a bird's eye view of the town as well as an excellent picture spot. Be careful because the lookout's steps are narrow and can be slippery.