Retired Nomads Part 4: Ishigaki Island, Japan – Stalactite Cave, Yaima Village & More

March 7

Today we were joined by Jill & Chris, Jaye & Kevin and Cathi & Michael (another great group) and our Guide was Masumi. It was fun to see Masumi again as she is an excellent guide.

We had better weather today which was a welcome change.

from the balcony

Since the Cave wasn’t open yet and the rest of the group didn’t see the shrine we saw last time, she asked if we could go there until it was time to visit the cave. It was close so Greg and I didn’t mind returning.

One couple in the group asked Masumi why the “Samurai House” was closed on their last visit. She had no idea but said if there was time at the end of the day we could visit it. (they are closed on Tuesday)

We got to the cave just before a large bus arrived. Ishigaki Stalactite Cave is a limestone cave that has evolved over a period of 200,000 years. The cave is about 660 meters in length and is made of pieces of coral. The inside of the cave is illuminated with lights, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere of this amazing natural wonder. It really was one of the nicer caves we have visited.

Our next stop was Ishigaki Yaima Village, a Taketomi preserved village that includes several buildings of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom’ s traditional architecture. The wooden construction topped by red tiles is typical of the Yaeyamas. The private residences are authentic and most of them date back to the early 19th century. They were properties of Ishigaki’s wealthy and powerful families. The other restored houses reconstitute the typical housing of a farmer and a fisherman.

We arrived just in time to catch the Okinawa Folk Song Show.

she did numerous dances with their versions of castanets & various bottles

Next, we walked around to see the various types of houses.

fishing village

large clam shell

typical houses

Then we went to see the Squirrel Monkeys. I was the only one in the group that a monkey chose to sit on. We watched 2 young ladies that had more monkeys than they bargained for. The change in expressions as the one lady got overcome with them was precious.

Yikes, a bloody tail

the keeper let the young boy feed them

oh, aren't they cute?

see, how cute they are?

OK, where are they coming from?

Now, I've had enough, get them off of me

guess this guy wanted some food too

Next up was seeing the Mangroves and the injured and rescued Crested Snake Eagle and the water buffalo.

we passed more houses on the way to the mangroves

mangroves

Crested Serpent Eagle was injured and rescued - he is unable to fly without hurting himself so it's a good-sized space for him

water buffalo

more typical houses

for grinding rice

We could have spent longer here it really was an interesting stop.

It was now time for lunch and the group enjoyed the food. Greg and I got sweet and sour pork with Ishigaki Brown Rice. The rice had so much flavor, kind of nutty and more. Several of in the group agreed it was the best rice we had ever tasted.

sweet and sour pork with Ishigaki brown rice

We went to a different lookout than on our last visit. (different part of the Island) Tamatorizaki Observation Deck is an observation deck on a small hill where you can see the sea around Ishigaki Island.

As we were driving away Greg mentioned that we missed the ice cream shop across the street. We would have stopped if he had mentioned it earlier. So Masumi and the driver are now discussing where we can stop for ice cream on the way back to the port. Of all places, they came up with the domestic airport! Never know where you will end up on one of my tours. LOL

the missed ice cream stop

on the way to the airport

the ice cream was really good

We did have time for the “Shogun House”. It appeared closed, but a couple of us peaked around the corner and there was a man there selling tickets. Masumi told him that his outer gate was closed, and he went and changed it after selling us our tickets. (Glad we were nosy)

Miyara Dunchi is a Ryukyuan aristocratic home built in 1819 to serve as the mansion for the Miyara peechin tôen, the lead official appointed by the Ryukyuan royal court to administer/governor the Yaeyama Islands. Similar residences on Okinawa Honto were mostly destroyed in the war, making Miyara Dunchi a rare surviving example. The mansion was designed in emulation of the aristocratic mansions of Shuri, the royal capital, in violation of standard practice; though the royal court ordered that it be torn down for this reason, it never was.

The small garden area was beautiful. A family lives there now, and he sells tickets for the outside of the home and the gardens. Parts of the house are open for viewing from the outside.