Yaese, Okinawa


Yaese is a town located in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
Yaese was formed on January 1, 2006 by a merger between the town of Kochinda and the village of Gushikami.
As of April 30, 2024, Yaese has a population of 32,976, with a population density of 1,200 persons per km2. The total area of the town of Yaese is.
Yaese Town is host to the Tomori Shīsā, considered the oldest stone shīsā conserved. It is designated as a Cultural Property by Okinawa Prefecture.

Geography

The highest point of the town, Mount Yaese, is located in its centre. Lower hills develop around it. There are four second category rivers in the town: Nagadō-gawa River, Noha-gawa River, Yūhi-gawa River and Mukue-gawa River.

Administrative divisions

The town includes twenty-three wards.
  • Aragusuku
  • Asato
  • Gushichan
  • Hanashiro
  • Koshihara
  • Minatogawa
  • Nagamō
  • Nakaza
  • Ōton
  • Yoza
  • Gishi
  • Hokama
  • Iha
  • Kochinda
  • Kogusuku
  • Shitahaku
  • Takara
  • Tōme
  • Tomori
  • Tomoyose
  • Uetabaru
  • Yagibaru
  • Yonagusuku / Yonashiro

    Neighbouring municipalities

  • Haebaru
  • Itoman
  • Nanjō
  • Tomigusuku

    Notable people from Yaese

  • Hitoe Arakaki, singer

    Cultural and natural assets

Yaese Town lists twenty-six tangible cultural properties and monuments, including eleven ones designated or registered at the national, prefectural or municipal level.
  • Name

    Cultural Properties">Cultural Property (Japan)">Cultural Properties

  • Aragusuku Gusuku
  • Gushichan Gusuku
  • Gushichan Uiigusuku
  • Jiri Gusuku
  • Kabira Shelter Site
  • Kaniman Utaki Site
  • Māga-nu-tun Site
  • Midori Gusuku
  • Minatogawa Ancient Human Bones Site
  • Minatogawa Site
  • Tatana Gusuku
  • Temigura Gusuku
  • Yaese Gusuku
  • Yagi Family Residence
  • Yonagusuku Gusuku
  • Yoza-nu-tun Site

    Folk Cultural Properties">Cultural Property (Japan)#Folk Cultural Properties">Folk Cultural Properties

  • Funerary equipment of Tōme and Kogusuku
  • Large stone lion of Tomori

    Places of scenic beauty">Monuments of Japan#Designated monuments of Japan">Places of scenic beauty

  • Hanandā

    Natural Monuments">Monuments of Japan#Designated monuments of Japan">Natural Monuments

  • Banyan tree of Tōna
  • Banyan tree of Yonagusuku
  • Fukugi tree lane of Gushichan