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Ishigaki Island (Ί_“‡, Ishigakijima) is the main island of the Yaeyama Islands and the region's transportation hub. Ishigaki City, Japan's southernmost city, is the only urban center of the Yaeyama Islands and the site of the region's major airport and ferry terminal, as well as of lots of hotels, shops, restaurants and bars.

Ishigaki offers several nice beaches and good snorkeling and diving in the surrounding coral reefs. Snorkeling can be enjoyed at nearly every beach on the island, while diving is offered through the numerous dive shops with tours available for all experience levels. A diving highlight is Manta Scramble near Kabira Bay, where manta rays congregate in large numbers.

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 kayak. Ishigaki also has the highest mountain in Okinawa Prefecture, as well as various hiking trails throughout the island's hilly interior.

Beaches

Ishigaki Island has both sandy beaches and rocky beaches which are covered in small pieces of bleached coral. At the beaches you can enjoy swimming (best during high tide), snorkeling, and diving, or just lay in the sun; and while the beaches are open year round, they are best from April to November when the air temperature consistently tops 25 degrees. The beaches usually have public facilities such as showers, restrooms and rental shops; however, there are no lifeguards, and the facilities may be closed outside of summer.

When using the beaches, always beware of strong currents that can pull you out to sea and poisonous creatures such as Habu Jellyfish, a type of box jellyfish, that are most prevalent from June to October. Signs in English inform about the dangers while some beaches have netted-off swimming areas. Although jellyfish stings are rare, if stung you should pour vinegar over the sting, remove any tentacles and seek medical help.

Yonehara Beach

Admission: free, 500 yen for parking

Sukuji Beach

Admission: free, no parking fees

Sunset Beach

Admission: 500 yen for facilities and 500 yen for parking

Nature

While Ishigaki Island is the most populous of the Yaeyama Islands, there is still a lot of nature to experience. In addition to the island's beaches and coral reefs, the interior of Ishigaki has palm forests, mangrove-lined rivers and jungle-covered mountains that offer hiking and camping.

Kabira Bay

Boat departures: 9:00 to 17:00
Boat fee: 1200 yen

River Kayak Tours

Tours depart in the mornings and afternoons
Fee: around 6000 yen for a 3-hour tour

Tamatorizaki Observation Point

Hours: always open
Admission: free

Yonehara Palm Tree Groves

Hours: always open
Admission: free

History

The Yaeyama Islands have a rich history and culture going back to before their incorporation into Japan, when they were part of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Yaeyama Museum

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or next day if Mon is a public holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3
Admission: 200 yen

Tojinbaka

Hours: always open
Admission: free

Miyara Dunchi

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Tuesdays, January 1-3
Admission: 200 yen

Ishigaki Yaima Village

Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (entry until 17:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1000 yen

Getting there and around

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

In 2013, the New Ishigaki Airport was opened ten kilometers outside of Ishigaki's city center, replacing the former airport as the island's gateway.

A rental car is the recommended means of transportation to get around Ishigaki Island. All major Japanese rental car companies have outlets on the island. Most of the island's attractions are within a 30-45 minute drive of Ishigaki City, except for the northernmost peninsula, the tip of which is about 35 kilometers from the city center.

Buses operate frequently between the airport and central Ishigaki. There are two types of buses: buses that stop only at the airport and the ferry terminal in the city center (30 minutes, 500 yen one way, every 30 minutes) and buses that serve several stops between the airport and the bus terminal in the city center (35-45 minutes, 540 yen one way, every 15 minutes).

Bus connections to other places on the island are much less frequent. Among them, the Kabira Line connects central Ishigaki with Kabira Bay once every 1-3 hours (45 minutes, 730 yen one way), while the even less frequent Yonehara Line connects central Ishigaki and the airport via Yonehara Beach with Kabira Bay. A 1-day pass for all bus lines is available for 1000 yen, while a 5-day pass costs 2000 yen.

A taxi ride between the airport and Ishigaki's city center takes about 30 minutes and costs around 3000 yen.

How to get to the Yaeyama Islands

Hotels around Yaeyama Islands

Top rated on the Yaeyama Islands
Budget:
    • Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima
      Mid-range
      Situated in Ishigaki Island, 400 metres from Fusaki Beach, Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a terrace. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 2.3 km from Shanishani Beach. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. The hotel offers some rooms with sea views, and rooms are equipped with a balcony. All units have a private bathroom, a hairdryer and bed linen. Guests at Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima will be able to enjoy activities in and around Ishigaki Island, like fishing. Yaeyama Museum is 7.2 km from the accommodation, while Tamatorizaki Observation Point is 27 km from the property. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 18 km from Little Mermaid Hotel Ishigakijima.
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    • Matsukaze The Guest House Ishigaki
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi, Matsukaze The Guest House Ishigaki is located across the street from the bus stop and a supermarket. The property is 1 km from Yaeyama Museum. Property staff can assist guests with creating their travel plans and give advise on nearby areas. Featuring a terrace, this 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. The living room features tatami (woven-straw) floors and a seating area where guests can relax. A washing machine is provided for guests during their stay for their comfort, while detergent is available for an additional fee. Guests can rent a bicycle to explore the nearby areas or go snorkeling with a rental snorkeling set available on site. Ishigaki Port Ritoh Terminal is a 8-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from the guest house. Kabira Bay is 13 km from the guest house, while Yonehara Beach is 13 km away. New Ishigaki Airport is 10 km from the property.
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    • Guesthouse Asibina
      Budget-friendly
      Boasting a terrace, Guesthouse Asibina is a guest house situated in Ishigaki Island, a 15-minute walk from Yaeyama Kanko Ferry Terminal. The guest house with free WiFi is 13 km away from Yonehara Beach and Kabira Bay. Attractions in the area include Sukuji Beach, 15 km away, or Tamatorizaki Observation Point, set 21 km from the property. All guest rooms are fitted with air conditioning. Each dormitory rooms has an electrical outlet and fan. Shared bathrooms have free toiletries. Guests can benefit from a shared kitchen with a fridge and kitchenware. A washing machine and tumble dryer can be used for a fee. Ishigaki Sunset Beach is 28 km from the guest house. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 11 km from Guesthouse Asibina.
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    • Guest House Yun Terrace
      Budget-friendly
      Guest House Yun Terrace, a property with a shared lounge, is located in Ishigaki Island, 1.1 km from Painuhama Artificial Beach, 2.2 km from Tadahama Beach, as well as 3 km from Maezato Beach. Featuring a terrace, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Yaeyama Museum is 700 metres from the guest house, while Tamatorizaki Observation Point is 25 km away. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 13 km from Guest House Yun Terrace.
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    • Lulaliya
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Ishigaki Island, 300 metres from Kabira Bay, Lulaliya features air-conditioned rooms and free private parking. The bed and breakfast has a barbecue and sun terrace, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Some units feature a seating area for your convenience. Extras include slippers, free toiletries and a hair dryer. Lulaliya features free WiFi throughout the property. There is a shared lounge at the property. Sukuji Beach is 1.9 km from Lulaliya, while Yonehara Beach is 5 km away. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 13 km from Lulaliya.
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    • Ishigaki Sunset Cove
      Luxury
      Situated on the secluded West Coast of Central Ishigaki Island, 18km from Ishigaki City, 5km from Yonehara Beach, Ishigaki Sunset Cove is set along the beach and rooms with free WiFi access. Among the various facilities of this property are an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. At the resort, the rooms come with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Selected rooms here will provide you with a kitchen with a microwave, a toaster and a fridge. The units at Ishigaki Sunset Cove come with a seating area. An alternating Western or Japanese breakfast is available daily at the property. The accommodation offers a sun terrace. The area is popular for cycling, and a limited number of rental cars are available at Ishigaki Sunset Cove. Tamatorizaki Observation Point is 5 km from the resort, while Kabira Bay is 10 km away. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 10 km from Ishigaki Sunset Cove.
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    • Alaise De Bale Ishigaki
      Luxury
      Situated in Ishigaki Island, 90 metres from Idona Beach, Alaise De Bale Ishigaki features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. Guests can make use of a bar. At the hotel, the rooms include a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, the rooms at Alaise De Bale Ishigaki have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms come with a balcony. At the accommodation rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at Alaise De Bale Ishigaki will be able to enjoy activities in and around Ishigaki Island, like hiking. Tamatorizaki Observation Point is 11 km from the hotel, while Yaeyama Museum is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 13 km from Alaise De Bale Ishigaki.
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    • HOSTEL SunTerrace Ishigaki
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Ishigaki Island, 1.3 km from Painuhama Artificial Beach, HOSTEL SunTerrace Ishigaki features accommodation with a shared lounge, private parking and a terrace. With a garden, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests. A safety deposit box is accessible to all guests, while certain rooms are equipped with a game console. The rooms have bed linen. Tadahama Beach is 2.7 km from the hostel, while Yaeyama Museum is 300 metres from the property. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 13 km from HOSTEL SunTerrace Ishigaki.
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    • Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima
      Budget-friendly
      Situated 2.3 km from Painuhama Artificial Beach, Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima offers rooms with air conditioning in Ishigaki Island. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hostel features some rooms that have a safety deposit box, and rooms are fitted with a shared bathroom with a bidet and a hairdryer. At Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Yaeyama Museum is less than 1 km from the accommodation, while Tamatorizaki Observation Point is 26 km from the property. The nearest airport is New Ishigaki Airport, 15 km from Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima.
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    • Glamping Resort Yokabushi
      Luxury
      Featuring free WiFi and a restaurant, Glamping Resort Yokabushi offers accommodation in Ishigaki Island, 400 metres from Tamatorizaki Observation Point. Free private parking is available on site. A flat-screen TV is offered. Enjoy a cup of tea while looking out at the mountain or pool. Rooms have a private bathroom fitted with a bath. Extras include slippers and a hairdryer. The resort also offers free use of bicycles. Ishigaki Sunset Beach is 9 km from Glamping Resort Yokabushi, while Yonehara Beach is 10 km from the property. New Ishigaki Airport is 11 km away.
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Experiences around Yaeyama Islands

Top rated in Yaeyama Islands