Hello, tuna(@miyakojimalife_) (^^)
I’m sure many of you love to travel, and our family loves it too.
Staying at hotels is nice, but my absolute favorite things are sleeping in the car and camping!
When I lived on the mainland, I would set off on Friday nights on a whim
Morning Hot Spring Baths
Seafood Rice Bowl at the Morning Market
Visiting historic sites and tourist attractions
Try the local cuisine
Hot springs again in the evening
Good night in your car or tent
I really loved the flow of it♪
Since I’ve always enjoyed that kind of travel, I’ve actually seen quite a few of Japan’s historic sites and scenic spots, but
I have never seen mysterious wells like Yamato-i (Yamato-ga) or Budura-i (Budura-ga) on Miyakojima Island.
It might be somewhere… (´ε｀；)
So, in this post, I’ll introduce two hidden historical sites on Miyakojima: “Yamato-ga” and “Budura-ga.”
I hope this article helps someone on their journey to visit these power spots♪
The History and Entrance to Yamatoi
Yamatoi (Yamato-ga) is located in the center of the former city of Taira.
The entrance is tucked away among scattered houses, and if you’re driving by, you’d likely pass right by without even noticing it.
There is a stone monument at the entrance, and the site is designated as a national historic site.
As indicated on the stone monument, this well is believed to have been dug around 1720.
On Miyakojima, which has no mountains or major rivers, spring water was a precious resource.
It appears that Yamatoi was used only by certain individuals, such as officials of the Shuri Royal Court, and was not open to the general public.
On the other hand, Buduraga, located just before Yamatoi, was open to the general public.
(I’m not sure when it started, but it seems that later on, Yamatoi was also used by the general public.)
I love both of them because they have such a mysterious atmosphere, so I’m going to introduce both this time (·∀·)
[Buduraga] Stone steps beneath a large banyan tree
There are stairs beyond the stone monument; if you go down them,
A world that feels like a video game unfolds right before your eyes.
There’s a huge hole at the base of a large banyan tree ( °Д°)
And a stone staircase leading to the cave
Even adventure seekers
Fans of indoor adventures are sure to be thrilled by this game.
(Sorry for the blurry photo.)
Inside the dimly lit cave is a well fed by spring water.
The basement is a fairly spacious area, and you can actually go down there.
I thought about going down to take some photos, but since it was dim inside, I decided against it that day.
It’s not scary at all.
But…
It’s a little lonely on my own, though… (；´∀｀)
I was worried something might get in the shot, so I just moved a little closer to take a quick peek and that was it.
Sorry for being such a scaredy-cat ( ；∀；)
If you come to visit, be sure to take a look inside, too! ♪ lol
A light source, such as your smartphone flashlight, is essential!
[Yamatoi] A well featuring stonework and moss
Once you pass Buduraga—a place that looks like it might be home to fairies—you’ll see Yamatoi.
Once you pass the sign, a stone staircase stretches out gently before you.
Still, since it’s not far away, people of all ages can enjoy it.
The stone wall and moss create a lovely atmosphere.
When people think of Miyakojima, they often picture the ocean, but one of the great things about Yamatoi is that you can enjoy this kind of atmosphere as well.
We arrived in the blink of an eye
Just like Buduraga, Yamato-ga also has an atmosphere that evokes a natural spring rather than a well.
The combination of nature and man-made structures is truly wonderful♪
At the bottom of the stairs, beyond a small plaza, you’ll find a spring.
Although the abundance of moss made the air feel humid, this spot alone felt cooler and more refreshing than the entrance where the stone monument stood.
Although the ceiling is low because it’s cave-like, looking up gives you a wonderfully peaceful feeling.
But no matter how many times I look at them, I can’t help but think, “This really is Japan, right?” when I see these plants.
Even I, who was born and raised here, feel that way, so I imagine people from other prefectures feel it even more so…
It used to be a place where people lived, but now it has become a “power spot” where you can relax and feel rejuvenated.
Location of Yamatoi (Yamato-ga)
Click here to see the location of Yamatoi (Yamato-ga).
It is located in a residential area just outside the city center.
The biggest drawback is that there are no parking lots in the area…
It’s easy to miss since it’s right near an intersection, but the stone monument at the entrance serves as a landmark.
I hope this article helps someone on their journey to explore historic sites and power spots♪
Thank you for watching until the end*ᴗ ᴗ)⁾⁾
