Taketomi Island, Traditional Ryukyu island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Taketomi is an island in the Ryūkyū archipelago, lying roughly 6 kilometers west of Ishigaki and part of Okinawa Prefecture. The coastline is ringed by coral reefs that create shallow waters, while the interior shows gentle rises and open terrain.
Before 1905, houses on the island were covered with thatched roofs because only nobles were allowed to use red tile roofing. After this restriction was lifted, residents began covering their homes with the red tiles now typical across the settlement.
The village consists of low houses with red tile roofs sitting behind walls made from coral stone, connected by white sand paths. At many entrances, ceramic shisa figures sit guard, believed locally to ward off evil spirits.
Most visitors move around the island on foot or by rented bicycles, available at several spots near the pier. Carts pulled by water buffalo travel through the village and offer a slower way to explore the narrow lanes.
At Kaiji Beach, tiny grains of sand shaped like small stars can be found, formed from the shells of single-celled marine organisms. Swimming is not permitted there due to strong currents, but many visitors collect these sand particles as souvenirs.
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