Head Tax Rock (Bubakari Rock)

This historic rock is located north along the road from the Grave of Nakasone Tuyumya about a five-minute drive from Hirara Port or about a 25-minute drive from Miyako Airport. The name of the rock, which is called Bubakari Rock by locals, stems from a legend that a head tax had long been levied on every islander once they were taller than the rock. In fact, a head tax was levied by the cash-strapped government of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1637. Every resident was required to pay the tax for 35 years from age 15 to 50. Men were required to pay the tax in millets. Women, meanwhile, were required to pay it in Miyako Jofu textile. The rock serves as a reminder of the hardship imposed on the people forced to pay this tax until 1903.