Jul 13, 2012 - 1 min read

Taketomi Island

A tiny, undeveloped and beautiful island village

By Ben Beechey

Community writer

The warm, clear waters of Taketomi Island make this island the perfect getaway

Taking your bicycle off the beaten track will always lead you to somewhere special

A popular way to get about the island is by water buffalo

Houses in Taketomi bear a distinctive Ryukyu style architecture

A local man takes five minutes from his work to play his sanshin guitar

A slightly more primitive sanshin guitar

Taketomi boasts a vast array of beautiful wildlife and plants

Looking out over the entire village from a watch tower

Taketomi (竹富島) is an island in the south of Okinawa. The island is only accessible via boat from Ishigaki island. With a population of approximately 360 and an area of 6.32 km, it really is a peaceful, undeveloped get away. Taketomi is known for its traditional Ryukyuan style houses, stone walls, and sandy streets. Popular activities on the island include relaxing on the white sand beaches, snorkeling, and taking a water buffalo ride around the village. Cars aren’t allowed onto the island so rental bicycle is the most convenient way to get about this gorgeous island village.

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By Ben Beechey

Community writer

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Olga 10 years ago

Nature is so beautiful there! Especially sea.

Ben Beechey Photographer 12 years ago

Thanks for the positive comment Joy, I'm happy you like the pictures. That part of Japan really is special, I whole heartedly recommend a trip there if you are looking to kick back and relax in beautiful surroundings.