■Self-Introduction
Xin chao! (“Hello” in Vietnamese) My name is Ha, and I’m from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. I came to Japan eight years ago to study economics at the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Sophia University. After graduating, I worked in the Japanese financial industry, and I currently work for an aircraft leasing and asset management company. When I have free time, I enjoy visiting museums or reading books. During long holidays, I take time to plan trips in advance, setting out for hikes or traveling around Japan to connect directly with traditional culture and beautiful nature. I especially love warm climates and have visited Okinawa seven times. Today, I’d like to introduce one of my favorite places in Okinawa called Taketomi Island, which is rich in Okinawan tradition and culture.
■About Taketomi Island, Okinawa Prefecture
・The southernmost inhabited island in Japan (450 km southwest of Okinawa main island)
・Consistently warm temperatures year-round (humid subtropical climate)
・Designated as the Nation's Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings
For more information about Taketomi Island, visit the following websites
・Life and Culture of Painu Island
■The charm of Taketomi Island and reasons why I would like to recommend Taketomi Island: The original atmosphere of the island and the way it preserves its traditions
Before sharing the reason why I recommend Taketomi Island and what makes it so special, I’d like to introduce you to some well-known islands in Vietnam and the characteristics of Taketomi Island.
【Characteristics of Famous Islands in Vietnam: Phu Quoc and Cat Ba Islands】
・There are many stylish, luxury hotels and restaurants
・The island is always crowded with tourists and the whole island is energetic
・Many people enjoy music at bars and restaurants along the coast
【Characteristics of Taketomi Island】
・Traditional houses with red tile roofs, surrounded by coral stone walls
・A calm and peaceful atmosphere even with tourists around
・Tropical plants and vivid, colorful flowers in bloom
When I first visited Taketomi Island, coming from a developing country, I was most impressed by how beautifully the island’s nature and culture were preserved. The biggest differences between the famous Vietnamese islands and Taketomi are the peacefulness and the protection of tradition on the island. Phu Quoc and Cat Ba islands in Vietnam have developed into luxury resort areas, with stylish high-end hotels and restaurants instead of traditional houses. Due to the large number of tourists, beachside bars and restaurants are always lively with music. On the other hand, Taketomi Island has been designated as a preservation district for important traditional buildings, and its residents value their traditions deeply. Walking around the island, you’ll encounter traditional houses with red-tiled roofs encircled by stone walls, unique guardian deities called “shisa” on the roofs, and traditional water buffalo carts carrying tourists. Even with tourists around, there’s a quiet and relaxed flow of time here, allowing visitors to forget the noise of the city and enjoy their time at their own pace.
There are also significant differences in the experiences available to tourists. For instance, on Vietnamese islands, many people enjoy indulging in a world of luxury within hotels or engaging in marine sports, and at night, it is common for tourists to visit beachside bars and restaurants to enjoy music, as previously mentioned. However, on Taketomi Island, it is typical for tourists to leisurely explore the island on water buffalo carts, which have been used since around 1926 for farming and rice cultivation, or to engage in traditional crafts.
In developing countries, an excessive increase in tourists can disrupt the balance needed for sustainable tourism development, placing a heavy burden on traditions and the natural environment. Particularly, large-scale resort developments and infrastructure improvements can destroy the natural and traditional atmosphere of the islands, risking the loss of their inherent charm. I often felt anxious when observing my local islands, so I was deeply impressed by Taketomi Island's commitment to preserving its original atmosphere and traditions.
■Recommended Dishes from Taketomi Island
The food on Taketomi Island is made with fresh, local ingredients, ensuring satisfaction with every dish. Among them, I highly recommend the following five dishes that I found particularly delicious. If you’re interested, be sure to try them when you visit Taketomi!
・Gurukun (also known as Takasago) tempura, a fish that’s also Okinawa’s prefectural fish
・Soki Soba, a noodle dish made with a broth from tenderly simmered pork ribs (Soki)
・Rafute, braised pork belly in soy sauce with awamori
・Goya Champuru, a stir-fry made with “Goya, bitter melon” a representative Okinawan vegetable
・Jimami Tofu, a traditional Okinawan dish made with peanuts (Jimami)
■Access and Important Points for Visiting Taketomi Island
・It takes about 4.5 hours to travel from Tokyo by airplane and ferry (high-speed boat).
・From Ishigaki Island, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes by ferry (high-speed boat).
Note
・There’s no airport on Taketomi Island, so the only way to get there is by ferry (high-speed boat).
・You can fly to Ishigaki Airport and then take a ferry from Ishigaki to Taketomi.
・Direct flights to Ishigaki Airport are available from Tokyo, Chiba (Narita), Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
・Be careful of heavy rain during the rainy season and typhoon season.
■Conclusion
I introduced "Taketomi Island," a place I love, which retains the rich traditions and culture of Okinawa. How did you like it? While spending a vacation in modern cities or stylish luxury hotels is appealing, I believe that the beautiful nature and traditional culture born from the experiences and wisdom of our ancestors are even more captivating. Moreover, once beautiful nature and traditions are lost, I think it is very difficult to restore them to their original state. I hope that the islands of my home country, Vietnam, will follow the successful example of Taketomi Island and achieve economic development through the creation of sustainable tourism areas and achieve development similar to that of Japan. I encourage everyone to visit Taketomi Island!