on the island. These reinforcements are mostly in relation to the Japanese uninhabited Senkaku Islands, which lie north of Ishigaki and are under the control of the mayor of Ishigaki, which has been given civic authority over the territory since the Senkaku Islands reverted from the US to the Japanese government control in 1972. China (People's Republic of China), and to lesser extent Taiwan (Republic Of China), have challenged Japan's sovereignty over these islands since 1972, with more intensity since 2012. Culture Miyaradunchi is a residence erected around 1819 by the local governor, it has been designated an Important Cultural Property as representative of the architecture of the Yaeyama Islands. Food Ishigaki has different cuisine from mainland Japan. Due to the relative warmth of the surrounding sea and various cultural influences, the food of Ishigaki and Okinawa is more meat-centered than the rest of Japan. The Ryukyu Kingdom served as an important trading post between Japan and the rest of the world despite various trading bans between Japan and China. Located only from Taiwan, Okinawan cuisine is best defined by the Okinawan word Chanpurū (チャンプルー) or "something mixed", incorporating aspects of Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and American cultures. Although Okinawa is best known for its love of pig, Ishigaki is famous for its Japanese Black cattle, both which are thought to have originally been brought from China as far back as the Yayoi period. Ishigaki is also unique in its use of spice and tropical fruits mainland Japanese palates tend to be unaccustomed with. Flora Satakentia liukiuensis, the only species in the genus Satakentia, is a palm tree that is endemic to the two islands of Ishigaki and Iriomote in the Yaeyama Islands. Gallery See also Iriomote Taketomi Tourism in Japan References External links Guide for Ishigaki island Ishigaki island vacation activities English language guide to Ishigaki island Ishigaki City official website Islands of Okinawa Prefecture Japan Self-Defense Forces Populated coastal places in Japan Port settlements in Japan Yaeyama Islands