Naha or Ishigaki

I suddenly get a week off from work next week and I am planning to visit Okinawa for the first time with my mileage. Now I have the choice of flying to Naha or Ishigaki. Could anyone give me some suggestions which way I should fly?

I am a writer/composer based in Kyoto. I'm not looking for water adventure in this season. Any inspiring experience in Okinawa to share?

Desperately trying to escape the cold...

I don't know if I could inspire...

It might depend on whether you plan on driving or not. The main island is easier to tour by car. Although you might look into the Kerama Islands, a ferry ride away from Naha.

Flying into Ishigaki puts you a short ferry ride away from Taketomi island, which seems inspring for an artist. Iriomote is just a bit farther away, which has the best nature in Okinawa.

Personally, Ishigaki seems more "vacation-y" to me, but perhaps that is because my in-laws live in Naha.

I spent some time in both places, my flight gave me a stopover in Naha for a day before I travelled on to Ishigaki. When I was in Naha, I stayed in a hostel that was close to the monorail back to the airport, and it also put me a few blocks from Kokusai-dori which was good for sightseeing and shopping. According to the people at the hostel, they are also quite close to the beach although I waited until I got to Ishigaki to do any swimming.

(And even then, when I did, I was stung by Habu but that's a story for another time.)

My obvious suggestion is if you can afford to travel to both, do it. Ishigaki City is beautiful, even thoughI didn't get to spend much time there, and I also enjoyed Naha for the time I was there.

I spent four days in Okinawa during a trip to Miyakojima.
Naha, I loved visiting the Chateau Shuri.http :/ / www.soleilrouge.org / okinawa-le-chateau-de-shuri-a-naha

Yago near the walls of the fortress are very Nakigin impressionnants.http :/ / www.soleilrouge.org / okinawa-the-fortress-of-Nakijin

Churaumi Aquarium is the most beautiful I've ever seen in my vie.http :/ / www.soleilrouge.org / okinawa-the-aquarium-churaumi

North of the island is very wild. The Peace Memorial is the witness of history. Http://www.soleilrouge.org/okinawa-hedo-misaki-le-cap-nord

Enjoy your stay in Okinawa

Maybe not very inspiring, but I was freezing on a cold, rainy and windy day on the Okinawa Main Island in February 2005 when we visited the aquarium. I think it was around 17 degrees, and the wind made it feel colder. The only positive surprise temperature-wise was that it remained 15 degrees throughout the night.
Okinawa sees surprisingly little sun in winter.

History and entertainment-wise, the main island has much more to offer than Ishigaki. But nature-wise, Ishigaki and especially nearby Iriomote are more attractive. Ishigaki also tends to be a degree warmer than the main island.

Thanks for all your replies. This community is great! You have helped me to make the decision. Naha is great, but perhaps with friends and sunnier weather!

Sounds like those far away islands out of Ishigaki are calling me. If I find any inspiration there, I will definitely think of you guys!

https://www.couchsurfing.org/people/mikrotigro/

I like both, but I would ALWAYS prefer Ishigaki.
Here are some photos from my summer vacation that I spent in Ishigaki (and surrounding islands): http://zoomingjapan.com/travel/yaeyama-islands/