Things to Do in Taketomi (竹富町), Okinawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Taketomi (竹富町) in Okinawa Prefecture (Okinawa, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Sotobanari Island (外離島), Iriomote Jima (西表島), Uchi-banare-shima (内離島) and served by Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal via the regional hub at Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports. Set at 306 m elevation (24.3219°N, 123.8282°E), Taketomi offers travelers a base for sampling regional Okinawa soba (wheat noodles in pork-kelp broth with tender soki ribs), Goya champuru (bitter melon, tofu, egg & pork stir-fry), Taco rice & Blue Seal ice cream cuisine and exploring neighboring Ishigaki (石垣市) (33.2 km), Yonaguni (与那国町) (86.3 km), Tarama (多良間村) (96.1 km), Miyakojima (宮古島市) (156.5 km).

The town includes all of the islands in the Yaeyama Islands excluding Ishigaki, Yonaguni, and the Senkaku Islands. This includes the islands of Iriomote, Yubu, Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima, Hateruma, and Hatoma. Although Ishigaki is not part of the town of Taketomi, the town hall is located there. Taketomi Town administers nine islands in the Yaeyama archipelago of southern Okinawa—including red-tile coral-walled Taketomi Island, jungle-covered Iriomote Island (a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the Iriomote wildcat), Hateruma (Japan's southernmost inhabited island), Kohama, and Kuroshima. Situated across rolling inland terrain at 306 m elevation in Okinawa Prefecture, Taketomi is anchored by local landmarks including Sotobanari Island (外離島), Iriomote Jima (西表島), Uchi-banare-shima (内離島) and connects to neighboring Ishigaki, Yonaguni, Tarama via Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal. Within Okinawa Prefecture, Taketomi (竹富町) serves as a town (町) in okinawa prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Subtropical Ryukyu Kingdom heritage (Shuri Castle in Naha), Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu), Kerama Islands coral reefs, and the turquoise Yaeyama & Miyako islands (Ishigaki, Taketomi, Miyakojima).

What to See & Do in Taketomi (竹富町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Taketomi (竹富町) from Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal at 306 m elevation (24.3219°N, 123.8282°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Taketomi):

• Sotobanari Island (外離島) — local sightseeing landmark near Taketomi (竹富町).
• Iriomote Jima (西表島) — local sightseeing landmark near Taketomi (竹富町).
• Uchi-banare-shima (内離島) — local sightseeing landmark near Taketomi (竹富町).
• Taketomi-shima (竹富島) — local sightseeing landmark near Taketomi (竹富町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Taketomi: Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal (connecting to Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Taketomi

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Taketomi (竹富町) and Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal, consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa:

• Ishigaki (石垣市) — 33.2 km from Taketomi (Okinawa Prefecture)
• Yonaguni (与那国町) — 86.3 km from Taketomi (Okinawa Prefecture)
• Tarama (多良間村) — 96.1 km from Taketomi (Okinawa Prefecture)
• Miyakojima (宮古島市) — 156.5 km from Taketomi (Okinawa Prefecture)
• Kumejima (久米島町) — 372.9 km from Taketomi (Okinawa Prefecture)

Getting to Taketomi & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Taketomi (竹富町) via Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal: 2h 40m flight from Tokyo (HND/NRT) or 2h 05m from Osaka (KIX/ITM) to Naha (OKA), plus direct flights to Ishigaki (ISG) and Miyako (MMY). From Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal to reach central Taketomi (24.3219°N, 123.8282°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal: JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Naha with Taketomi (竹富町) and neighboring Ishigaki, Yonaguni, Tarama. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Taketomi, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Taketomi between Naha and Ishigaki can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Taketomi: While Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal anchors public transit for Taketomi, picking up a rental car at Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports makes it easy to link Sotobanari Island (外離島) and Iriomote Jima (西表島) with nearby Ishigaki (石垣市) (33.2 km), Yonaguni (与那国町) (86.3 km), Tarama (多良間村) (96.1 km), Miyakojima (宮古島市) (156.5 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Taketomi (竹富町) & Okinawa

Dining near Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal and across Taketomi (竹富町) highlights the regional food culture of Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Taketomi:

• Okinawa soba (wheat noodles in pork-kelp broth with tender soki ribs) — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketomi (竹富町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
• Goya champuru (bitter melon, tofu, egg & pork stir-fry) — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketomi (竹富町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
• Taco rice & Blue Seal ice cream — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketomi (竹富町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
• Umi-budo (popping 'sea grapes') — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketomi (竹富町) and Okinawa Prefecture.
• Ishigaki wagyu & Sata andagi donuts — regional specialty enjoyed across Taketomi (竹富町) and Okinawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Taketomi (竹富町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal.

Where to Stay in Taketomi (竹富町)

Visitors staying overnight in Taketomi (竹富町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal, or base at major rail hubs in Naha (Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports) or neighboring Ishigaki, Yonaguni, Tarama for quick train access into Taketomi. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Taketomi & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Taketomi (竹富町, 306 m elevation at 24.3219°N, 123.8282°E): March–early May and October–November for warm swimming (24–28°C) with lower humidity; July–September for peak coral snorkeling and diving (watch for brief typhoons).

Wider sightseeing across Okinawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Sotobanari Island (外離島) in Taketomi (竹富町) includes: Subtropical Ryukyu Kingdom heritage (Shuri Castle in Naha), Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu), Kerama Islands coral reefs, and the turquoise Yaeyama & Miyako islands (Ishigaki, Taketomi, Miyakojima).

Practical Travel Tips for Taketomi (竹富町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Taketomi: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Naha Airport (OKA), Yui Rail Monorail & Ishigaki / Miyako Airports or Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal for local bus schedules to Sotobanari Island (外離島) and walking maps of Taketomi (竹富町).
• Cash & ATMs in Taketomi: Convenience stores and major hotels around Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Sotobanari Island (外離島) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Taketomi accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Taketomi: Around Funaura Port (9.5 km) & Island Ferry Terminal and neighboring Ishigaki, Yonaguni, Tarama, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.