Kamisatogaa | A Sacred Historic Spring West of Nakachi Village (Irabu, Miyako)

Kamisatogaa is a Miyakojima City-designated historic spring (gaa) west of Nakachi village on Irabu Island. "Kamisato" is said to mean a place where the gods gather, and it is a well long held in deep faith as a place where the deities gather to confer. By tradition, around 1430, villagers grew suspicious of a cow digging the soil with its front legs in a hollow thick with susuki grass and reeds, and when they dug there, a cave spring welled up. Since then, as the village's only spring, it supported people's lives and played a major role in the formation and development of the village. It is still used in rituals as "the water of the home-origin island" and is an object of faith. It is included in the Nakachi-Irabu course of the Miyakojima City Board of Education-authorised history and culture sightseeing road app "Ayantsu", and can be viewed as a well site.

Full article about this spot

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Map & Access

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Basic Information

Location (Island)Irabu Island
AddressAza Nakachi, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Hours / Opening time24 hours (outdoor historic site, always open)
ClosedNone (always open)
FeeFree
ParkingNone (no dedicated car park. The roads in the village are narrow; park briefly on the road where you will not trouble traffic or residents).
ContactMiyakojima City Lifelong Learning Department, Lifelong Learning Promotion Division 0980-72-3764

Visiting tips & what to bring

It is a sacred spring (prayer place) held as an object of faith. It is a place used in rituals, so refrain from entering inside the well or putting things into or taking the water, and view it quietly. Do not touch offerings or ritual traces, photograph with restraint, and be considerate so as not to obstruct the prayers or events of locals. It is along a village living street with a narrow road, so park the car only briefly where it will not obstruct traffic. There is no tourist development and signage is limited, so beware of the vegetation-thick footing and insects (mosquitoes, horseflies), and preparing long sleeves, easy-to-walk footwear and insect repellent gives peace of mind. There are no toilets or shop, so take care of things outside the village in advance.

For families with small children

It is a historic site for quietly viewing a well site, with no playground equipment or facilities, and as a sacred prayer place it cannot be said to be suited to sightseeing with small children. The well edge carries a risk of falling, and in summer beware of insect bites in the grass. If visiting with infants, guardians must always hold hands and not take their eyes off them so they do not approach the well, make noise or disturb the ritual place. A short drop-by by a family interested in history or faith is no problem, but it is not suited to a long stay.

FAQ

Q.Can anyone view Kamisatogaa?

A.You can view it as a well site from outside. However, as it is a place of faith used in rituals, refrain from entering inside or taking the water, and view it quietly.

Q.Is there an admission fee or opening hours?

A.It is an outdoor historic site, free of charge, with no set opening hours or closing days and always viewable. A visit during bright daytime hours is reassuring.

Q.Is there parking?

A.There is no dedicated car park. It is along a village living street with a narrow road, so park only briefly where you will not trouble traffic or residents.

Q.The location is hard to find. Is there a landmark?

A.It is west of Nakachi village, included in the Nakachi-Irabu course of the Miyakojima City Board of Education-authorised history and culture app Ayantsu. Heading over relying on the app map or coordinates is reliable.

Q.What is the origin of the well?

A.It is said that around 1430 a cave spring was found from a cow digging the soil, and as the village's only spring it supported life. Kamisato means a place where the gods gather, and it is still revered.