basic information

Ishigaki Island is the main island of the Yaeyama Islands and the region's transportation hub. Ishigaki City, the Yaeyama's only and Japan's southernmost city, is the site of the region's major airport and boat terminal.

Ishigaki offers several nice beaches and fantastic snorkeling and diving in the surrounding coral reefs. Ishigaki's rivers, while not quite as wild as those of nearby Iriomote, also offer a jungle like scenery and are nice to explore by canoe. Various hiking opportunities exist in the island's hilly interior.

Below is a list of some points of interest on Ishigaki Island:

	Kabira Bay Emerald blue Kabira Bay (Kabirawan) is considered to offer Ishigaki Island's most scenic views. Swimming in the bay is not allowed, but glass bottom boats let you take a look at the bay's underwater world. Kabira Bay is one of only two cultivation sites of black pearls in Japan. The other is on nearby Iriomote.
Glass bottom boats run from 9:00 to 17:00. 30 minute cruises cost 1000 Yen.

	Miyara Dunchi Miyara Dunchi is a samurai style residence, built by a local nobleman in 1819. Similar residences on Okinawa Honto were mostly destroyed in the war, making Miyara Dunchi a rare surviving representative. It is not possible to enter the house, but you can take a peak from the outside and enjoy its small garden.
Open 9:00 to 17:00. Closed on Tuesdays. Admission: 200 Yen.

	Tamatorizaki Observation Point This is an observation platform offering nice views of Cape Tamatori, Ibaruma Bay, Ishigaki's hilly northern peninsula and the emerald blue ocean with its coral reefs.
Always open. Admission free.

	Yonehara Palm Tree Groves Walking trails lead through this palm forest, which features several dozens of different palm tree varieties, including the tall, native Yaeyama Palm, a designated national natural monument.
Always open. Admission free.

	Tojinbaka A lavishly decorated grave for 300 Chinese laborers, who were supposed to be shipped to the Americas as mine workers by American and British traders in the mid 1800s, but many of whom were massacred after a mutiny raised by the inhumanly treated Chinese. The incident happened to partially take place on Ishigaki.
Always open. Admission free.

	Yonehara Beach Yonehara Beach is one of Ishigaki Island's nicest beaches, surrounded by a coral reef. Snorkeling equipment can be rented at the camping site, just next to the beach. Beware of the currents and the poisonous Habu Jellyfish.
Always open. Admission free.

	Sukuji Beach Sukuji Beach near Kabira Bay is one of Ishigaki Island's nicest sand beaches, equipped with changing rooms and showers. Beware of the poisonous Habu Jellyfish.
The swimming season is from March to November. Admission free.

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how to get there

How to get to Ishigaki Island

Ishigaki Island is the transportation hub of the Yaeyama Islands. Please visit the Yaeyama orientation page for information on how to get to Ishigaki.

How to get around Ishigaki Island

A rental car is the recommended means of transportation to get around Ishigaki Island. There are multiple outlets at or near the airport and central Ishigaki. Daily rates, including tax and insurance, start around 4000 Yen for the smallest car category, if you book through a discount travel service like ToCoo.

Public buses provide relatively frequent connections between the airport and the bus terminal in central Ishigaki, but connections from the bus terminal into other parts of the island tend to be infrequent.

1st of 3 most visited sights in Yaeyama Islands.
270th of 385 most visited sights nationwide.

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