Shimajiri
A fishermen’s hamlet with beautiful sunset views. Also known for its traditional stick-fighting performances.

The ocean breeze brings a feeling of vitality and blessings from the sea.

Seaside hamlet
This hamlet is home to numerous fishermen because of its proximity to the sea. Fishing is a daily activity for locals here. The unattended fishing rods visitors may see are part of a charming system by which local residents collect caught fish from hooks, put them in buckets and take them to the houses of the people to whom the rods belong.


Hamakudari (a traditional event of prayer for women’s wellbeing) is held on March 3rd on the Chinese calendar. During this time, women wade into the sea to purify themselves. The event usually coincides with the highest tide, so people catch fish, collect clams in the shallow water and feast on this day.

Iheya Fishing Port (Shimajiri Fishing Port)
Visitors can see fish direct from fishermen’s nets at 8 a.m. in the port. It’s fun to see such a variety of fish, learn from fishermen about what kinds of fish they are, and find out how to cook them.

Flying fish painted on a sabani (fishermen's boat). The artistic drawings on these boats are well worth seeing. 



Inuka
Water drawn from a well in a higher area of the hamlet is used for making drinks such as tea and for agriculture. At the Iheya Distillery, Inuka well water is added to local Awamori liquor.



The god of Shimajiri Hamlet, Kami-Ashiage 
The Kami-ashiage (often pronounced Kami-ashagi) at the center of the hamlet is where Noro (high priestesses of the Ryukyu) used to conduct sacred rituals. Dedicated dances and stick-fighting performances are held at the site during the harvest festival.

Kannondo 
The sea god for Shimajiri Hamlet is enshrined at Kannondo. Route 179 ran along the original coastline here. The fishery community gathers on January 2nd every year to offer prayers for good catches.


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