Ishigaki Yaima village, Open-air museum and theme park in Ishigaki, Japan.
The village features six traditional Okinawan houses with red tile roofs and coral stone walls that showcase regional architecture from past centuries. The buildings are furnished authentically to show how residents lived in this region long ago.
The museum was founded in 1981 by the Meitetsu corporation to preserve structures from the Ryukyu Kingdom period. This era shaped Okinawan culture deeply and set it apart in many ways from the rest of Japan.
The performances feature traditional dances and the distinctive sanshin music of the Ryukyu Islands, which remain part of local daily life. Visitors experience these arts firsthand and learn why they shape community identity here.
The site is accessible by car about 15 minutes from central Ishigaki and offers parking facilities on the grounds. Major credit cards are accepted for payment.
The grounds are home to around 60 squirrel monkeys that roam freely in designated areas and interact with visitors during feeding sessions. These curious animals are an unexpected highlight for many who visit.
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