List of recommended places to visit and things to do in Tarama Island!

What is Tarama Island?

Among the Miyako Islands, Tarama Island is the furthest from Miyako Island. Therefore, it is now a precious island that remains untouched by nature and has not been turned into a tourist destination.

Tarama Island is the third largest island in the Miyako archipelago, following Miyako and Irabu Islands, but we have not heard much about repeat visitors to Miyako Island who have also gone to Tarama Island.... However, it is rumored that the repeaters who have visited the island once actually have a high repeat rate... Tarama Island is of great interest to us, isn't it?

Geographic and Statistical Information

Tarama Island is located 67 km west of Miyako Island and 35 km northeast of Ishigaki Island (24°39' north latitude and 124°42' east longitude). It is a flat, oval-shaped island measuring 8 km east to west and 6 km north to south with an area of 19.75 square km. The island has a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of about 23°C. It is of course hot in summer, but since it is surrounded by the sea, it is pleasant to stay in the shade of trees.

Tarama Island itself is made up of raised coral reefs, with no mountains or rivers, and like the other Miyako Islands, it has no habu. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches formed by crushed coral, and the contrast with the vivid blue of the sea is breathtaking.

Tarama Island has a population of just over 1,100 people and a thriving agriculture and livestock industry. It is no exaggeration to say that half of the island is made up of sugarcane, and sugarcane fields stretch on and on. Other crops include vegetables, leaf tobacco, and beef cattle. Surprisingly, the fishing population is only 11 TP3T!

The villages are concentrated in one area on the north side of the island, and most of the major tourist attractions, supermarkets, restaurants, and inns are located in the villages.

Access to Tarama Island

To get to Tarama Island, you can fly or take a ferry from Miyako Island.

When using airplanes

Source:wikipedia

A one-way flight from Miyako Airport to Tarama Airport takes about 20 minutes by RAC (Ryukyu Air Commuter) propeller-driven aircraft. There are two round trips per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Fares range from 5,000 to 9,000 yen one way.

By ferry

Source:wikipedia

The ferry Taramayu runs once a day (not available on Sundays) from Taira Port on Miyako Island to Maedomari Port on Tarama Island, taking about 2 hours one way. One-way fare is 2,470 yen for adults (2nd class) and 1,240 yen for children (2nd class), with round-trip discounts available. The round-trip discount is valid for 14 days, so there is no reason not to use it. Bicycles, mopeds, and cars can be transported for an additional fee.

Various things can change due to village events, weather, etc., so check the Tarama Shipping website or call 0980-72-9209.

Popular Spots on Tarama Island

Popular Spots on Tarama Island 1.Yaeyama Distant Viewing Platform

Source:Masa's teegee blog

It is located on the northwest side of the village. It is the highest point on Tarama Island, at 32.8 meters above sea level.

Of note are the ruins of a stone pile just next to the observatory. This was a lookout tower built of Ryukyu limestone around the 17th century to keep an eye on shipping traffic and foreign enemies. The location of the observatory, close to China and between Okinawa Island, Miyako, and Yaeyama, is unique to Tarama Island, which was an important navigational point in the Middle Ages when the Ryukyu Kingdom prospered through transit trade.

Now a high observatory has been built from which you can see the whole island, and it is the best scenic spot in Tarama. You can see as far as Ishigaki Island in the distance.

Incidentally, there is also another viewing platform on Tarama Island, called Miyako Enmidai, but this one is located in the village and is currently overgrown with greenery, so there is no view of the island.

Popular Spots on Tarama Island 2. Sugar Gar

This is a natural cave with a spring of water (= called a gur) located near the Yume Patio Tarama, a lodging facility. People who came to the island settled near the water-filled caves and formed settlements, the most ancient of which was the Sugar Ghar.

On the left was a ger called ushnu ger for cattle to drink, on the right was a ger for men and women to bathe in, and behind it there seemed to be a ger for drinking. The water seems to have been somewhat salty. Nowadays, at a quick glance, there seems to be no water gushing out, but in the past, it was an essential place for survival.

Popular Spots on Tarama Island 3. Utaki and a large fukugi (redwood) tree

Utaki is a belief unique to Okinawa, and is considered a sacred place where ancestral deities that protect the tribe dwell and are worshipped. There is neither Buddhism nor Shintoism in Okinawa, but instead spirits and ancestors are deeply believed in, and ceremonies and events have been held.

There are several such Utaki on Tarama Island. Most of them are located near villages and are mysterious, as if protected by large Fukugi trees.

Shiokawa Utaki and a row of large Fukugi trees

Source:DI★ction★ARY

Shiokawa Utaki is located in the eastern part of Tarama Island and has long been an object of worship for the islanders. Along the 650-meter long approach to the Utaki, there is a row of large Fukugi (fukugi) trees, 3 to 50 cm in diameter and 8 to 10 m high. This row of trees, along with other plants in the forest, is designated as a natural monument by the prefecture.

Minema Utaki and giant fukugi trees

Source:smart magazine

The Utaki is dedicated to Anshi Minema, who is known for his Shinmei-asobi, a ritual that imitates the dance of the gods. The giant Fukugi tree at the entrance to the Utaki is said to be 500 years old and is revered as a sacred tree, and has been selected as one of the 100 best trees in Okinawa.

Sumeru Utaki (sacred site of Mt. Sumeru in Shinto and mythology)

Tomari Utaki, located about 50 meters from the shore facing Maedomari Road, is a Utaki enshrined as the deity responsible for the safety of boat keepers and is one of Tarama Village's Tangible Folk Cultural Properties. It is located amidst a thick growth of fukugi and other plants.

Ungusuku Utaki and a cluster of large Fukugi trees

Unjo Utaki has been cherished by the islanders as the Utaki where the island's guardian deity resides. The large Fukugi trees that grow in clusters to protect the Utaki are designated as a natural monument by the prefecture.

Popular Spots on Tarama Island 4. Yatsuki Odori (August Dance)

The "August Dance" performed every year from August 8 to 10 of the lunar calendar during the island's Harvest Festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan, and attracts many tourists and researchers to the island during this period. During this period, there is even a ferry service between Ishigaki Island and Tarama Island, which normally does not operate! (*August 8-10 of the lunar calendar in 2019 is from September 6 (Fri.) to 8 (Sun.).

The origin of the August dance is said to be the dedication dance held in the 1600s at the August Gogan, where the islanders, who were suffering from the heavy taxes and the capitation tax imposed on Miyako and Yaeyama by the Shuri Royal Government, held a ceremony to pray for a good harvest and to rejoice over the completion of the taxes. It is a dance unique to Tarama Island, so if you have a chance, why not go and see it? By the way, if you go there outside of the season, you will just see a huge stage....

Popular Spots on Tarama Island 5.

Source:wikipedia

Tarama-jima Mamoru-kun" watches over the traffic safety of the island at the intersection in front of Tarama Airport. This is one of about 20 "Miyakojima Mamoru-kun" police dolls that have been deployed on Miyako Island, Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, etc., and watch over traffic safety on Miyako Island. The doll was transferred to Tarama Island in 2010.

Popular Spots on Tarama Island 6. Furusato Seaside Park

There is no way to visit Tarama Island in season and not get in the ocean! Here is a well-maintained beach near the village, Furusato Seaside Park. You can see Mizuna Island in the distance.

It is equipped with roofed rest facilities, toilets, and showers, so you can take a shower after snorkeling and feel refreshed. The shallow water and ino (shallow, calm water surrounded by coral reefs = reef ponds) make it safe for swimming. You can see a lot of coral and fish near the ino. Even in the off-season, it is a great place to spend time and forget about the time while looking at the beautiful ocean.

Popular Spots on Tarama Island 7. Nameless beaches around the island

The entire island is surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches and a paradise of coral and tropical fish, and there are many other beautiful beaches that have no name. Why not find your own beach?

The island is also a great place for diving, of course, with its beautiful ocean, coral, and tropical fish, but it is also said to be for advanced divers. For more information, please contact a dive store on the island.

summary

Tarama Island is a place where you can encounter untouched nature and a beautiful underwater world. The island is covered with sugarcane fields, and you will be surprised to see few humans outside of the villages, but instead you will encounter cows, crabs, goats, and other non-human creatures.

It is no exaggeration to say that Tarama Island is one of the last paradises of the now changing Miyako Islands. We should cherish and appreciate this environment and enjoy our days on Tarama Island.