【National Designation：Historic Site】Sakishima Islands Hibanmui “Tomibansho (Lookout)” Shimajiri Tomi

Five (5) locations in Miyakojima City (Ikema, Karimata, Shimajiri, Kurima, Uruka) These sites are lookouts points that functioned as observation and reporting (using beacon fire) stations, watching over the maritime traffic. They were established by the Ryukyu government controlled under the Satsuma Clan during the Edo period, during the time when the nation was closed to the outside world in 1644. Located at the westernmost point in the Ryukyu Archipelago, the Sakishima Islands directly face the tensions in the East China Seas, and therefore, these lookouts are significant sites as they complete the closure of the nation at the time from the outside world.
The Shimajiri lookout is located at the northeastern area of the Shimajiri settlement, and there is a column-shaped stone compass, or Peiisu (pronounced pee-isu) placed here. It is told that there were several guards on duty here, working in rotation, and they reported locations of the passing national ships, trade ships, and foreign ships to the overseer in charge.