Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings of Okinawa

Just six kilometers southwest of Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island preserves one of the most evocative village landscapes in Japan — red-tiled timber houses, dry-stacked coral limestone walls, and lanes paved in bright white sand. Designated in 1987 as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Island Agricultural Village), the 38.3-hectare district is a living community of around 350 residents who maintain the streetscape daily and carry forward traditions such as the 600-year-old Tanadui festival.

Tonaki Island, an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings designated in 2000, preserves Okinawa's primal landscape of red-tiled roofs, white sand lanes, and Fukugi windbreak groves on a tiny island northwest of Naha. Discover its unique sunken houses, footlit nighttime alleys, and unhurried island life.

Okinawa’s registered properties across designations, with featured heritage and travel notes.

The complete kokuhō catalogue — browse by prefecture, period, and category.

Nationwide jūyō bunkazai — architecture, sculpture, painting, crafts, and documents.