Taketomi Island
A whole new world
It’s another Yaeyama Island, just 10 min by ferry from Ishigaki Island.
The island has about 400 lucky habitants.
Taketomi is flat! Sand streets and stone walls all over. No convenience stores or vending machines… so natural and rustic !
For tourists, the options are: rent a bicycle or get on a water buffalo cart tour. As I am an active person, the bicycle was perfect for me !
Why should you visit this island?
Well, it has amazing white sand beaches and one of few places where you can find Star shape sand !!!
Yes, you read correctly! Star shape sand !!!
Taketomi is rustic and keep its traditions everywhere… in the red roof of the houses, in the privacy of its citizens and their religion … local merchants don’t follow the 8 to 5 working hours…
Sounds strange but it’s quite peaceful and energized to be in such a place.
I was lucky to have one of the funniest dives on Taketomi. A long time ago, the habitants of the island wanted to have a natural hot spring by bringing hot water from the ocean but the underwater pipes broke and now their hot spring … well, it’s where it’s supposed to be… underwater!
Can you see the hot bubbles ? These are the broken pipes … the water at this site is really hot and you can smell sulfur coming from underneath .
I am not a hot spring fan but I really enjoyed this dive site!!
Note: there’s no dive shop in Taketomi. The dive shop from Ishigaki took me there.
If you have time, visit Taketomi . It’s really worth and don’t forget to bring your own beverage, no vending machines, remember ?
Two hours was more than enough to ride the bike around the island and visit the main beaches and tourist sites but if I had had more time , I would love to spend a day at the beach relaxing or snorkeling .
