Miyara Donchi
宮良殿内24°20′ N 124°10′ EGarden
Miyara Donchi is the house a Yaeyama district head built around 1819 in Ishigaki town, and the city calls it the only samurai-class residence of the Ryukyu Kingdom era left standing in Okinawa; Japan lists its dry stone garden as a Place of Scenic Beauty. It sits 400 m north of the port.
The eighth head of the Miyara family built the house around 1819 while he served as the Yaeyama official in charge of Miyara district. The Ryukyu court thought it too grand for a provincial official and ordered it rebuilt five times; the family refused, and in 1875 an inspector made them swap the tile roof for thatch, which went back to tile in 1899. Japan designated the building an Important Cultural Property and its garden a Place of Scenic Beauty in May 1972.
The property covers 462 tsubo inside a stone wall, and you enter through a four-legged gate behind a hinpun screen wall. The garden in front of the main guest room is a dry landscape of coral limestone made by the Shuri gardener Gusukuma Peechin. Over 300 of the family's documents went to the University of the Ryukyus library, and Japan designated them an Important Cultural Property in September 2025.
Worth knowing
- Keep voices down; the house stands in a quiet residential street.
- The house is a five-minute walk from Euglena Mall and the public market.
FAQ
Quick answers about Miyara Donchiよくある質問
How old is Miyara Donchi?
Miyara Donchi dates from around 1819, when the eighth head of the Miyara family built it while serving as the Yaeyama district head for Miyara.
How much does it cost to visit Miyara Donchi?
Ishigaki City's tourism site lists ¥200 for adults and ¥100 for school students, with hours of 9:00 to 17:00 and a Tuesday closing day. Confirm before you go, as that page also carries older information.
What are the opening hours of Miyara Donchi?
Miyara Donchi is open 9:00–17:00 (Ishigaki City tourism site), closed tuesdays (Ishigaki City tourism site).
How long do you need at Miyara Donchi?
Plan about 30 minutes at Miyara Donchi.
Can you get to Miyara Donchi by bike?
The house stands in the Okawa residential streets about 400 m north of the port, and Euglena Mall is an easy walk away.
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