Mori-no-Kokage

Yaeyama Islands


This little Ishigaki city izakaya is a friendly refuge true to its name, which means 'the shade of the forest'. Local treats are sliced steak of Ishigaki beef (¥1280) and the microbrew ishigaki-jima-zake (¥500). Look for the plants and tree trunks outside, and meet some friendly locals under the canopy of an ersatz forest.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Yaeyama Islands attractions

1. Miyara Dōnchi

0.1 MILES

The unique home of a Ryūkyū kingdom official dates from 1819; walk north along Sanbashi-dōri until you see signs in English. The house is still an actual…

2. Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum

0.16 MILES

This modest museum has exhibits on the culture and history of the island, which are quite well presented with English explanations. Notable among the more…

3. Gongen-dō

0.29 MILES

Adjacent to the temple Tōrin-ji is Gongen-dō, a small shrine rebuilt after being destroyed by a tsunami in 1771.

4. Tōrin-ji

0.31 MILES

Founded in 1614, the Zen temple of Tōrin-ji, near the intersection of Shimin-kaikan-dōri and Rte 79, is home to the 18th-century guardian statues of Deva…

5. Fusaki Beach Aqua Garden

3.48 MILES

Nonguests of the adjacent resort can pay to enter this massive 'aqua garden' complex with a beachfront pool, bar-restaurant, yoga lessons and a huge range…

6. Nishitō Utaki

4.58 MILES

This shrine is dedicated to a 16th-century ruler of the Yaeyama Islands who was born on Taketomi-jima, and whose tomb lies behind the shrine.

7. Taketomi Mingei-kan

4.62 MILES

This is the workshop where the island's woven minsā belts and other textiles are produced.

8. Nagomi-no-tō

4.64 MILES

Roughly in the centre of the village, this modest lookout tower has good views over the red-tiled roofs of the pancake-flat island.