Island-to-Table: Savor a Traditional Ryukyu Vegan Feast on Taketomi Island
Go lighter on the planet, deeper into place. This Taketomi experience blends a plant-based “Inochigusa” lunch with a guided walk in a preserved village, highlighting island herbs, local makers, and everyday sustainability in the Yaeyama Islands, all within 3–4 hours. If your map is guided by menus, this one’s for you.
Tour at a Glance
- Duration & schedule: ~3–4 hours, morning start; operated daily.
- Who can join: All ages (infants welcome).
- Meet/End: Taketomi Port Terminal (check-in ~09:45, end ~13:00).
- Inclusions: Guided cultural walk, vegan multi-course lunch, activity fees, commemorative photo in traditional attire.
- Languages: Staff support in English, Dutch, and Russian (other languages via translation device).
- Provider: Atelier GOKOUYA (local pottery studio).
- Indicative price: Adult ~USD 315; Child ~USD 252; group discounts available (pricing may change).
What is “Inochigusa”?
“Inochigusa” reflects a plant-forward philosophy rooted in island life. A signature ingredient is chomeisō (Peucedanum japonicum)—Okinawa’s “long-life grass,” used in home cooking and celebrated for its role in local longevity culture.
The Setting: a living Ryukyu village
Taketomi’s streets are lined with coral-stone walls and one-story wooden homes capped with red tiles and watchful shisa lion guardians. It’s an easy place to slow down—white-sand lanes, hibiscus hedges, and a time-honored townscape protected for future generations.
About the Lunch Venue
The Former Yonaguni Family Residence (Kyu Yonagunike Jūtaku) dates to 1913 and exemplifies Taketomi’s classic layout: the fūya (main house) paired with the tōra (kitchen house), coral-stone entry screen, and perimeter walls. In 2007, it was designated a National Important Cultural Property, the westernmost such building in Japan.
Sample Itinerary (Morning)
- 09:45 – Meet at Taketomi Port Terminal. Staff will greet you; coin lockers/baggage storage are available at the terminal (fee applies).
- Intro to Taketomi culture: A short stop at the visitor center to see a film on annual festivals and daily life.
- Village walk: Stroll the coral-sand lanes and red-tile neighborhoods; learn customs like warding off evil at village entrances; taste a sweet local zenzai.
- Island-herb touchpoint: Learn how residents cultivate and use herbs such as chomeisō and mugwort as part of a lifestyle close to nature.
- Vegan multi-course lunch: A nine-course, festival-inspired meal inside the Former Yonaguni Family Residence; dishes are served on yachimun pottery.
- Commemorative photo: Try traditional Ryukyu attire for a garden or veranda photo.
- Craft stop: Visit GOKOUYA to meet a potter and browse folk-art ceramics accompanied by island songs.
- ~13:00 – Tour ends (transport to the port available on request).
Why this New Tour Stands Out
- Vegan Ryukyu cuisine, plated like art: Enjoy a chef-curated, plant-based menu that highlights island herbs and seasonal produce, served on handmade yachimun (Okinawan pottery).
- Historic setting: Lunch is hosted inside the Former Yonaguni Family Residence, a house officially designated a National Important Cultural Property and a cornerstone of Taketomi’s preservation district.
- Hands-on culture: Chat with local potters at GOKOUYA about island folk art and pottery traditions.
Getting There
Base yourself on Ishigaki and ride a 15-minute ferry to Taketomi; departures run throughout the day (times vary by season and operator). From Taketomi Port, it’s a short hop to the village and tour meeting point. Always check the latest timetables before you go.
Good to Know (Read Before You Book)
- Dietary needs: The menu is vegan by default. Some allergy, vegetarian, and halal requests can be accommodated—please advise when booking.
- Accessibility: The tour uses historic spaces with steps; wheelchair users should contact the operator in advance to arrange assistance.
- Languages: English + support in Dutch/Russian; other languages via translation device.
- Weather & operations: Runs year-round but may pause during certain festivals or severe weather; if canceled, you’ll receive a refund.
- Baggage: Storage available at the port terminal (fee).
- Provider:atelier GOKOUYA, Taketomi’s long-running pottery studio.
Red Roofs, Green Plates
Here for the plant-powered glow-up? Make your Taketomi day a whole vibe: ferry over from Ishigaki, slow-walk a red-tile village, then flex a 100% vegan “Inochigusa” feast in a nationally protected heritage home—all in 3–4 chill hours, all ages welcome. Spots go fast, so beat the FOMO: check dates, see prices, and lock it in now. Your feed (and taste buds) will thank you.
