The Okinawan traditional sailboat
"SABANI"
Our shop (Yoshida SABANI) is located on the beautiful Hirakubo Peninsula in northern Ishigaki
Set sail on the SABANI and discover the untouched nature of Hirakubo Peninsula
Snorkel among beautiful coral reefs
Watch the sun dip below the horizon on a sunset cruise
Make memories that will last a lifetime aboard the "SABANI"
Yoshida SABANI
A Documentary of
Okinawan traditional wooden sailboats
“sabani”.
In the past, traditional wooden sailboats called ‘sabani’ were a common sight on the seas around Okinawa.
On Taketomi, sabani were used for fishing and transporting supplies to and from neighboring islands.
In recent years, however, more and more people have turned to modern motor boats and sabani have become an increasingly rare sight on the Okinawan seas.
With this in mind, Taketomi resident Akira Uesedo commissioned the building of a new from Tomohiro Yoshida, a sabani shipwright on nearby Ishigaki Island. sabani
Akira named the island’s new sabani ‘Taketomi-maru’.
This is their story.
Yoshida Tomohiro
Representative Of Yoshida SABANI
I learned how to splice wood and build SABANI in accordance with traditional techniques from Mr. Yasuhiro Arashiro of Shiraho, Japan.
As well as this traditional craftsmanship, Arashiro-san also taught me the importance and thinking independently and finding the wisdom within my own thoughts
We use fundou (X-shaped woodworking joints) and kasugai (bamboo nails) to splice wood without using iron nails.
Our boats can withstand rough ocean swells and the performance of our SABANI on the water is very high.
Though the number of SABANI craftsmen has decreased in recent years, we are trying to preserve the traditional techniques and knowledge of SABANI to pass down to future generations and keep this tradition alive.
Deep wisdom that we have inherited from our predecessors.
SABANI are traditionally made from hollowed-out logs
We have worked hard to reproduce the maneuverability and performance of the ancient SABANI
We take orders and build to each customer`s unique specifications
 もうすぐ完成。 |  師匠の新城康弘氏とゆんたく。 |
|---|---|
 材と材を繋ぎ止めるフンドウという部品を入れる。 |  フンドウが入った状態。 |
 船かすがいで材木同士を密着させる。 |  櫂（エーク）を作る。 |
Ku-ra SABANI tour
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TOUR INFO
サバニライド
Sabani ride
We set sail on the SABANI to discover the untouched nature of the Hirakubo Peninsula, visiting beaches that are only reachable by boat.
You`ll be amazed at how soft the sand is!
Cost:
6,000Yen/Adult(age 13＋)
3.000Yen/Child(age 7-13)
1.000Yen (age 0-7)
Included:Insurance fee, Tax
Duration:90mins
*You`ll be at sea for around 50 minutes. The remaining time is needed for boarding and disembarking.
Sabani ride +
Snorkel
サバニライド
＋
シュノーケル
We set sail on the SABANI and make for the beautiful coral reefs and snorkeling sites of the Hirakubo Peninsula.
The tropical fish are waiting for you!
Cost:
9,000Yen/Adult(age 13＋)
4,500Yen/Child(age 7-13)
1.000Yen (age 0-7)
Included:Insurance fee, Tax
Duration:120mins
*You`ll be at sea for around 80 minutes. The remaining time is needed for boarding and disembarking.
サンセットクルーズ
Sunset Cruise
Set sail on a coastal cruise along Hirakubo peninsula and witness the stunning beauty of the sunset aboard a SABANI.
Check-in time:an hour before the Sunset
Cost:
8,000Yen/Adult(age 13＋)
4,000Yen/Child(age 7-13)
1.000Yen (age 0-7)
Included:Insurance fee, Tax
Duration:90mins
*You`ll be at sea for around 50 minutes. The remaining time is needed for boarding and disembarking.
What to Wear
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We will be on the beach and the water so please bring beach clothes, a swimsuit or clothes
that you don`t mind getting wet.
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Bring a towel and sun protection (such as long sleeves or a hat/cap).
You are in the subtopics - the sun here is strong!
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We can keep your car keys and other belongings at the shop while you`re on the boat.
*Please note that we do not accept responsibility for any loss of or damage to your belongings.
Things will be provided
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Life vest
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Marine shoes
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Kubagasa (a traditional Okinawan hat made from the leaves of the Livistona plant)
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Water-proof bag
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Children`s rubber swim ring
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Aqua scope
*Please note that we do not accept responsibility for any loss of or damage to your belongings.
SABANI tours may be cancelled
under the following condition
Setting sail is always weather-dependent. We keep a close eye on sea and wind conditions and may have to stop or cancel a tour if we deem the conditions to be too dangerous.
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When an alarm has been issued (eg. due to heavy rain, flooding, storms, tsunami, storm surges)
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When the wave height is over 4m
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When wind speed is over 12m
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If our tour guide deems conditions to be too dangerous
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If the participants do not follow the tour guide`s instructions
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If the tour guide deems that the participants will not be physically able to take part in the tour.
If we do need to cancel a tour we will always try to notify you as early as possible.
Near by accommodations and activities
【宿泊】
【サバニ】
【アクティビティー】
500 Terry Francois Street
San Francisco, CA 94158
Tel: 123-456-7890
Fax: 123-456-7890
Contact
