4.3 Miyara Dömchi

Miyara dömchi / 宮良殿内

 

Important historical spot is the residence Miyara Dömchi. The house was built in 1819 by the Matsuhige family, who at that time ruled part of the island. 

Traditional dry landscape japanese garden within the singularity of coral stones, unique with also Ishigaki gardens, both with techniques and style transmitted from mainland during the Edo period around 1800.

Home of the Shuri government official in charge of the administration and unification of Yaeyama.

Miyara Donchi resemble the dwellings of nobles in Shuri on the main island of Ryukyu Kingdom.

Curiously after being censored by an inspection from Shuri in 1874 the roof was changed from tiles to thatched grass.  With the later abolishment of feudal lands the roof was re-done in the present red tile style.

This important cultural property is the only remaining residence of a high-ranking samurai in all Okinawa.

The samurai may have been powerful locally but Miyara Donchi was conceived on humble dimensions compared with samurai residences on the mainland.

Nevertheless it has several tatami rooms decorated with beautiful paintings connected in betwen and to the gardens.

NEXT : 4.4 Ishigaki gardens

3.3 / Uezu house

The Uezu House is a traditional house of an authority of the Ryukyu. It was constructed in 1754. It contains gardens, the house, and buildings for different purposes of service, one of them remains to me the traditional "horreo gallego".

Kume happily was one of the forgotten islands during the bombs of the war, so there are more traditional houses than in other islands.

NEXT : Tatami isi and drone

3.1 / Kume ni kame / Turtles in Kume

The Sea Turtle House is located on Ou Island easy accessible through the bridge. Beside the display and aquarium building is the spa Bade Haus and the "tatami isi" which I will report later about. I very much recommend it to you a relaxing bath in the spa, much more than a relaxing cup of coffee in... :)
Turtle House exhibits with the goal of protecting the marine environment and researching turtles. There are many fossils and shells showing the diversity of marine life around Kume Island.

NEXT : Hate no hama beach