Land and sea: all of Taketomi Island
Island Walk & Sabani Tour
Time to meet everything Taketomi Island has to offer
Land and sea—both are the true face of Taketomi Island. Wander the red-tiled village and trace the memories of island life. Then head straight out to sea, and you'll see the very same view the islanders of old once saw. Walk the island, then catch the wind across a coral sea. A tour that lets you savor everything Taketomi has to offer.
Tour Overview
Capacity
1–6 people
(private)
Duration
3h
Departures
9:00- / 11:30- / 14:00-
Fares
*Solo participants: ¥35,200 (regardless of age)
*Photo/video options: drone or DSLR camera +¥11,000 / drone & DSLR camera set +¥16,500
What to Bring & Conditions of Participation
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Included in the price
Guide fee and all support needed for the tour
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What to bring / what to wear
- - Drinks (to stay hydrated)
- - Clothes you don't mind getting wet (in summer, a rash guard or other sun-protective top; in winter, a warm outer layer is recommended)
- - A change of clothes for after the tour
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Conditions of
participationPlease consult us if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are pregnant, have concerns about your physical fitness, or are traveling with a child aged 3 or under
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Safety standards
Sea conditions change by the moment, and there may be times when the tour cannot be held. We plan to notify you of any cancellation the day before, but in some cases the decision is made on the day based on sea conditions.
- - When a weather warning is in effect (heavy rain, flooding, storm, storm surge, tsunami)
- - The tour may also be cancelled when a lightning advisory is issued
- - Wave height of 2 meters or more
- - Wind speed of 10 meters per second or more
- - Sudden deterioration of weather, such as a passing front
- - When the guide judges conditions on site to be dangerous, regardless of the forecast
- - When a participant will not follow warnings or instructions regarding dangerous or reckless behavior
- - When a participant is unwell (including being under the influence of alcohol)
- - When the guide cannot run the tour due to injury, illness, or unavoidable circumstances
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Cancellation Policy
*Please be sure to readFor cancellations at the customer's request, a cancellation fee of 50% applies from 2 days before through the day before the tour, and 100% on the day of the tour. This also applies to non-attendance due to illness or similar. For cancellations due to sudden emergencies, we will make a decision after reviewing the circumstances.
If we judge that the tour cannot be safely held due to natural phenomena, poor sea conditions, or the like, the tour will be cancelled or its content changed, and no cancellation fee will be charged in that case. We plan to notify you of cancellations the day before, but in some cases the decision is made on the day based on sea conditions.
We may refuse participation to anyone who is under the influence of alcohol, unwell, or unwilling to follow safety instructions.
What Makes Our Tours Special
Learn the hearts of those who came before, then board the sabani
Walking the lanes of Taketomi Island with your guide, you touch the history and daily life handed down on this island. Only then do you board the sabani. It's the same horizon—but you'll see it differently.
Nature's rich face, season by season
Glittering emerald in summer, crisp clear blue in winter—the sea of Taketomi Island changes its expression with the seasons. Whenever you come, you'll meet a version of the island that exists only on that day.
A depth felt from both land and sea
Walk the village lanes, then head out onto the water. Experiencing both on the same day, Taketomi Island comes into view as a single story. By the time you're on the boat home, you'll love the island even more.
How the Experience Unfolds
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01
Meet your guide
Meet your guide on Taketomi Island. We pick you up at the location of your choice—your accommodation, the water buffalo cart stop, a bicycle rental shop, etc. Please let us know your preferred pick-up point in advance.
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02
Island Walk & Sabani Tour
Step aboard the sabani. The sail fills with the wind, and a quiet voyage begins. There is no engine noise—only the sound of the waves and the wind. Just let yourself go.
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03
Photos on the sandbar
When the tide is right, a white sandbar island appears in the middle of the sea—the only place you can step off and walk. Take your time amid a landscape where sky, sea, and sand meet.
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04
Stroll through spots steeped in the island's history and culture
Your guide leads you through the places that have shaped the history and culture of Taketomi Island—sometimes including hidden gems known only to islanders.
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05
End of tour
We drop you off at the location of your choice, and the tour comes to an end.
Photo & Video Options
We capture photos and video you'll want to look back on again and again.
Drone
+ ¥11,000 incl. tax (approx. 60-second video)
Drone & DSLR Camera Set
+ ¥16,500 incl. tax (20 photos and approx. 60-second video)
*Files are delivered within one week.
*Please note that drone filming may not be possible due to strong winds or tide levels.
FAQ
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Children and seniors are welcome, but we make the final decision with safety as the top priority, taking into account the day's sea conditions and the physical demands of boarding and disembarking. If your party includes a child aged three or under, please be sure to consult us in advance so we can ensure their safety. If you have any other concerns, feel free to contact us. For safety reasons, we generally ask pregnant guests to refrain from taking part. However, this depends on the stage of pregnancy and how you are feeling, so if you would like to join, please be sure to consult us beforehand.
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Please bring a drink, a hat, sunscreen, and a towel. Bring a change of clothes as well if needed.
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We provide a dedicated waterproof box. Valuables such as your wallet and smartphone can go in it and come aboard the sabani with you, so you can keep them close at hand without worrying about water damage.
To avoid any problems, we ask that you avoid bringing large amounts of cash, expensive jewelry, or other valuables not needed for the tour. -
Yes, it's essential. UV levels in the Yaeyama region are said to be several times those of mainland Japan, and out on the open sea there is nothing to block the sun, while the glare off the water is intense. Letting your guard down because "it's cloudy" often ends in a burn-like sunburn. We strongly recommend sunscreen, a hat that won't blow away in the wind, and sunglasses. To limit exposed skin, a lightweight long-sleeved layer (such as a rash guard) will keep you more comfortable even in summer. And if you can, please choose a sunscreen with ocean-friendly ingredients (such as a reef-safe sunscreen)—we would be very grateful for your help in preserving the sea of Taketomi Island for the future.
Book the Island Walk & Sabani Tour
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