Ishigaki Yaima Village

Ishigaki Yaima Village is a cultural theme park located on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, offering visitors an immersive experience of traditional Ryukyuan village life. The park recreates the atmosphere of an 18th-century Okinawan settlement, preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of the region before modernization transformed the island landscape. Established to showcase the unique identity of the Yaeyama Islands, the village serves as both an educational facility and a living museum where traditional customs and crafts are actively maintained.

The village features over 20 authentic relocated and reconstructed traditional houses from various parts of the Yaeyama Islands, including registered tangible cultural properties. These structures display the distinctive red-tiled roofs and coral limestone walls characteristic of Okinawan architecture, demonstrating how island communities adapted to the subtropical climate and typhoon conditions. Visitors can observe traditional Ryukyuan daily life through preserved household items, tools, and furnishings that illustrate the self-sufficient lifestyle of historical island communities.

Cultural experiences at Ishigaki Yaima Village include hands-on craft workshops where visitors can try Minsa weaving, a traditional textile art specific to the Yaeyama region, and pottery making using local clay. The park regularly hosts performances of traditional music and dance, including Angama performances featuring colorful costumes and rhythmic movements unique to Okinawan culture. Live demonstrations of indigo dyeing and sugarcane processing showcase traditional island industries. The village also houses a small zoo area featuring native Yaeyama wildlife, including the Yaeyama palm civet and various tropical birds.

Ishigaki Yaima Village is located approximately 30 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport and about 20 minutes from the city center. Rental cars and taxis are the most convenient transportation options, as public bus service to the area is limited. Admission fees are approximately ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children, with slight variations for group bookings. The village includes a restaurant serving traditional Yaeyama cuisine and a shop selling local crafts and specialty products. Most visitors spend between 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the grounds and participating in activities.