Ishigaki Yaima Village is an open-air museum and hands-on cultural theme park on Ishigaki Island, centered around traditional houses from the Yaeyama Islands. It is known as a unique destination where visitors can experience the traditional scenery, culture, crafts, and natural environment of the southernmost and westernmost parts of Japan.
The village recreates the atmosphere of old Yaeyama settlements, with traditional houses carefully relocated and preserved within the grounds. Rather than simply looking at historic buildings, visitors can take part in a variety of activities that bring local culture to life.
Ishigaki Yaima Village stands beside Nagura Amparu, a wetland registered under the Ramsar Convention. The surrounding environment is rich in subtropical wildlife, making the village an appealing destination for both culture and nature lovers.
A wooden boardwalk provides an easy way to observe the wetland environment. Depending on the season and conditions, visitors may see mangroves, fiddler crabs, Okinawa white-clawed fiddler crabs, southern mudskippers known locally as Tontonmī, and the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle, a designated Natural Monument.
The combination of traditional houses and subtropical nature gives the village a distinctive atmosphere that is difficult to experience elsewhere on Ishigaki Island.
The relocated traditional houses serve as venues for a variety of cultural experiences. Visitors can listen to performances of the sanshin, Okinawa’s distinctive three-stringed instrument, try painting traditional shisa guardian figures, make sata andagi Okinawan doughnuts, and have their photographs taken wearing traditional Ryukyuan clothing.
These activities offer an enjoyable introduction to Okinawan culture for international visitors, while also providing a more personal experience than simply visiting a museum.
The village also features several animal-related attractions. There is a water buffalo pond, a Crested Serpent Eagle protection enclosure, and a squirrel monkey area.
At the squirrel monkey area, visitors can purchase special feed and enjoy the opportunity to observe and feed the animals at close range.
The Makishi Residence was built in 1923 and was the former home of Munetoku Makishi, who served as mayor of Ishigaki City. The house was relocated to the village in 1980.
In 2007, the building was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property under the name Former Main House of the Makishi Family Residence of Yaeyama Folk Village.
The Morita Residence was built in 1909 and belonged to the Morita family, a former samurai-class family. It was relocated to the village in 1984.
In 2007, the house was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property under the name Former Main House of the Morita Family Residence of Yaeyama Folk Village.
The Ohama Residence was built in 1907 and was formerly the home of Shinsen Ohama, who later became the seventh president of Waseda University. The residence was relocated to the village in 2008.
In 2015, it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property under the name Former Main House of the Ohama Family Residence at Ishigaki Yaima Village.
The Kishaba Residence was built in 1923 and was the former home of Eijo Kishaba, a researcher of Okinawan folklore. It was relocated to the village in 2008.
In 2015, the building was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property under the name Former Main House of the Kishaba Family Residence at Ishigaki Yaima Village.
The Uechi Family House is a reconstructed traditional dwelling representing the home of a farmer. One of the highlights here is a demonstration of traditional sugarcane processing.
A wooden mortar called a shītōyā is turned by a water buffalo to extract juice from sugarcane, offering visitors a glimpse into agricultural life before modern machinery.
The Ishigaki Family House is a reconstructed traditional home representing the lifestyle of a uminchu, or traditional fisherman. Inside, visitors can see tools used for traditional fishing as well as preserved specimens of sea turtles.
A dedicated Crested Serpent Eagle protection enclosure has been established at the village to care for birds that have been rescued after incidents such as traffic accidents.
Since 2008, a male Crested Serpent Eagle named Yonnā has been shown to the public. He was rescued in 2007 after being injured in a traffic accident. Because it was determined that returning him to the wild would be difficult, he has remained under human care.
The conservation facility provides an opportunity to learn about the wildlife of the Yaeyama Islands while also highlighting the importance of protecting native species.
The attraction first opened in 1981 as Yaeyama Folk Village under Meitetsu Real Estate, part of the Nagoya Railroad Group. In 2003, management came under the Uechi Group, which established Ayapani Co., Ltd. to operate the facility.
By 2008, four traditional houses had been relocated and restored. On October 1, 2008, the attraction adopted its present name, Ishigaki Yaima Village.
Ishigaki Yaima Village brings together traditional architecture, local crafts, performing arts, wildlife, and subtropical landscapes in one destination. It is particularly appealing to visitors who want to experience more than Ishigaki Island’s famous beaches and spectacular coastal scenery.
Walking among the old houses, trying traditional crafts, listening to the sanshin, observing animals, and exploring the mangrove environment provide a varied introduction to the culture and nature of the Yaeyama Islands.
For travelers interested in understanding the character of Ishigaki beyond its resorts and beaches, this hands-on village offers an engaging way to step into the everyday world of traditional island life.
9:00-17:30
No holidays
Adults 1000 yen (junior high school students and older)
Children 500 yen (3 years old and up, elementary school student and younger)
15 minutes from Ishigaki Port