On my last day in Ishigaki island, I planned to go to the Yonehara Camp. I took the bus and when I reached my destination, the place is remote and foresty. I went to the camp where I saw only one family camping. There is a beach nearby where there is a rope blocking the entry of vehicles or people. I ignored the rope and entered the beach to take some pictures.

A little frustrated, I went looking for the bus stop to go back to the city center. However, the bus was scheduled to arrive after an hour. I decided to just walk a little around the place. What I found nearby has surprised me.

It was like a place filled with the monsters from Monsters Inc, monsters but horribly cute. At first, I though it was a theme park. But actually it is the Yonekoyaki Craft Center, a shop that produces and cells ceramic Shisa.

Shisa are Okinawan traditional Ryukuan guard resembling a lion and a dog. They are usually seen at the top of the roofs or flanking at the doors or gates of houses, business establishments and shops in Okinawa. Often in pairs, the mouth is open in the right shisa and closed in the left shisa. They are believed to ward off evil spirits and keep good spirits. It originated from China in the 14th century.

However, the shisa at the Yonekoyaki Craft Center is quite different. Their intense colors made these Shisa so psychedelic looking. Beside the store is a big yard with many of these psychedelic shisa. The place looks like a distorted Disneyland and is an amazing view being highlighted by its foresty backdrop.