Explore Ishigaki Island: Things to Do and Travel Itinerary

Last updated: November 4, 2025

Ishigaki Island is part of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Although it’s not very large (about 40 kilometers from south to north), it offers even more beautiful ocean views than Okinawa’s main island. by Roméo A.

Getting to Ishigaki

There are direct flights to Ishigaki Island from cities like Naha (Okinawa), Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo.

• Naha (Okinawa) to Ishigaki: 1 hour
• Fukuoka to Ishigaki: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Osaka to Ishigaki: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Tokyo to Ishigaki: 3 hours

Where to Stay in Ishigaki

If you want convenient transportation, consider staying near the terminal：

The BREAKFAST HOTEL PORTO Ishigakijima
★★★ Location 8.2 | Facilities 8.4 | Value for money 8.5

• As the name suggests, this hotel is known for its hearty breakfasts.
• It’s a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the terminal, convenience stores, and several restaurants.
• A taxi from the airport to the hotel costs around 3,000 yen, or you can take the Route 4 bus to “Hakubutsukan mae 博物館前” which takes 30 minutes. From there, it’s a 4-minute walk to the hotel.

If you’d like to stay at a resort with a beach right outside, you can choose:

FUSAKI BEACH RESORT HOTEL & VILLAS
★★★ Location 8.9 | Facilities 8.8 | Value for money 8.0

• The hotel offers a free airport shuttle, with no reservation needed.
• There is a waterslide at the hotel, making it perfect for kids.

If your budget allows, you can also choose:

ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort by IHG
★★★ Location 8.6 | Facilities 8.5 | Value for money 7.4

• The hotel offers a paid airport shuttle for ¥700 per adult. The schedule is available here, and no reservation is required.
• The resort has its own private beach, and in summer, a water park is set up, making it a great choice for families with children.

Map and Sample Itinerary for Ishigaki

Sample Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive on Ishigaki around noon. In the afternoon, visit Kabira Bay for the views, then go snorkeling at Yonehara Beach.

• Day 2: Take a morning ferry to Taketomi Island for sightseeing. Return to Ishigaki in the afternoon and catch an evening flight.

Ishigaki Map:

Getting Around Ishigaki

Car Rental
Driving is the most convenient option. You can find rental car prices here.

Taxi
Taxis are easy to find at the airport, terminal, city center, and Kabira Bay. You can hail one on the spot, ask hotel or attraction staff for assistance in calling a taxi, or use the Didi app.

However, it can be difficult to get a taxi to more remote attractions (like Tamatorizaki Observation Platform) or during peak seasons/when cruise ships are in port. You might consider a charter service 4 hours for 17,600 yen and 6 hours for 26,400 yen.

The base fare for taxis is 470 yen (for the first 1,167 meters), then 60 yen for every additional 336 meters, which is cheaper than in mainland Japan. Here are some reference prices:

• Airport to Terminal: 3,400 yen
• Airport to Kabira Bay: 5,800 yen
• Terminal to Ishigaki Yaima Village: 2,300 yen
• Terminal to Kabira Bay: 4,200 yen
• Terminal to Yonehara Beach: 4,500 yen
• Ishigaki Yaima Village to Kabira Bay: 2,000 yen

Bus
There is only one bus company on the island, 東バス, which covers routes to the airport, hotels, and major attractions. You can buy tickets with cash, and credit/debit cards are also accepted (tap to pay). The fare depends on the distance; for example, it costs about 540 yen from the airport to the city center. A one-day pass is available for 1,000 yen (purchase at the bus terminal or on the bus). You can check routes and fares at Jorudan (Google Maps also works). It’s recommended to familiarize yourself with the routes and schedule on the official website in advance.

Seasons in Ishigaki Island

Ishigaki Island has a subtropical oceanic climate. It is warm year-round, with January being the coldest month (average temperature of 18.9°C) and July the hottest (average temperature of 29.6°C).

April to May: Days are hot, making it great for water activities, but sudden temperature drops may occur due to cold fronts.
June to September: This is the hottest period and ideal for water activities, but typhoons can be a risk.
October: Days remain hot and suitable for water activities, but temperature differences begin to increase.
November to March: It can be warm on sunny days, but there are many overcast days with lower water temperatures, making it unsuitable for swimming.

Top Attractions in Ishigaki

Kabira Bay

This is the most scenic beach on Ishigaki, with water visibility reaching up to 30 meters. Swimming is not allowed here due to strong currents and because part of the bay is used for black pearl farming (there are floating buoys marking the area).

Recommended Visit Time: 30 minutes - 1 Hour
Things to Do:
① You can enjoy the view from the observation deck, and there are also restaurants and souvenir shops nearby.
② Take a 30-minute glass-bottom boat ride to see sea turtles and small fish. Tickets cost ¥1,700 for adults and ¥800 for children. You can buy tickets on the spot, though booking in advance may offer a discount.
③ Kayaking is also available at ¥6,000 for 30 minutes per two-person kayak. Click here to book.

Bus Stop: Kabira Koen mae 川平公園前
Address: Parking fee is 500 yen per day, Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, Okinawa
Watch 石垣島 川平湾_Ver.1

Photo Highlights:
by Vladimir Haltakov

Watch 川平湾でグラスボート　BLUE CORAL

Yonehara Beach

Yonehara Beach is the best spot for snorkeling on Ishigaki Island, with shallow waters and plenty of fish.

Safety Precautions:

• This beach does not have any safety nets installed.
• The water depth suddenly increases to over 20 meters just 200 meters from the beach.
• Strong currents are common in the area. If you find yourself being swept away by waves, swim parallel to the beach until you escape the current, then swim back to shore.

Facilities: There are no public facilities, but you can pay to use the showers and storage facilities at Jellyfish, as well as rent snorkeling gear and life jackets starting at 2,100 yen.
Bus Stop: Yonehara 米原
Address: Parking fee is 500 yen per day, 644 Fukai, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0451

Watch 米原ビーチエントリー 絶対おすすめシュノーケルポイント紹介

Ishigaki Yaima Village

The Ishigaki Yaima Village is a small folk village with around 20 traditional Okinawan-style houses. Its biggest highlight is the group of more than 60 squirrel monkeys (originally from South America) that live in the park.

Because the village itself is quite small, it is especially enjoyable for travelers who love animals.

Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: 1,200 yen for adults, 600 yen for children, tickets can be purchased on-site or booked online.
Recommended Visit Time: 30 minutes
Things to Do:
① If you visit in the morning, you can feed the squirrel monkeys for ¥300.
② There are also folk music performances inside the park at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 15:30. The park has a restaurant as well, serving local dishes such as Yaeyama soba.
Bus Stop: Ishigaki Yaima Village 石垣やいま村 or Motonakagura 元名蔵
Address:Free parking available at 967-1 Nagura, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0021
Official Site: Ishigaki Yaima Village
Watch FEED SQUIRREL MONKEYS at Ishigaki Yaima Village!!!!

Tamatorizaki Observation Platform

Located in the northeastern part of Ishigaki Island.

Bus Stop: Tamatorizaki 玉取崎
Address:Free parking available at Ibaruma, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0332
Watch: 玉取崎展望台からのドローン空撮

Watch: 石垣空港から車で約20分、島の東側の海を一望できる玉取崎展望台

Hirakubozaki Lighthouse

The lighthouse at the northernmost point of Ishigaki Island, standing 13.7 meters tall.

Bus Stop: Hirano 平野
Address: Free parking available at I234-50 Hirakubo, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0331
Watch: 空撮 平久保埼灯台 恋する灯台

Watch: 石垣島旅の思い出《石垣島の最北端に位置する平久保崎灯台》

Islands Near Ishigaki

There are many small islands near Ishigaki Island, and the following three are the most distinctive:  

Taketomi Island

Taketomi Island is the most popular island near Ishigaki. It is a small island about 9.2 km around, with roughly 350 residents. There are no convenience stores or traffic lights here, which helps preserve the island’s peaceful, traditional atmosphere. The beaches have a similar turquoise color to Kabira Bay on Ishigaki, but the views are more open — and you can actually swim here.

Getting There:
There is no airport on Taketomi Island, so the only way to get there is by ferry from Ishigaki. The ride takes about 10–15 minutes. Two companies operate the route — Anei and Yaeyama — and prices are the same; only the schedules differ. A round-trip ticket costs ¥1,700 for adults and half price for children. Tickets can be purchased at the pier on the same day; reservations are not necessary.

Getting around the island:
Most visitors explore Taketomi by bicycle. Rental shops are available both at the port and in the village. Prices are usually around ¥1,000 for 2 hours for a regular bicycle or ¥1,750 for 2 hours for an electric bike.
There is also a small local bus. A single ride costs ¥300, and you can take it from the port to Hoshizuna-no-hama (Star Sand Beach), then walk back — though it can be quite sunny on clear days. Recommended Visit Time: 2-3 hours
Things to do:

• Spend time at Kondoi Beach (コンドイ浜), the most beautiful beach on the island. The water is extremely shallow — only about knee-deep — so you can’t really swim, but it is perfect for families with young children. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the beach by bicycle from the port.
• The most unique beach on the island is Hoshizuna-no-hama (Star Sand Beach). You can find star-shaped sand here, which is actually the shell of tiny marine organisms. However, the amount is very limited, so most people end up buying star sand at the nearby souvenir stands instead.
• Besides visiting the beaches, you can stroll through the village to see bright tropical flowers and traditional red-tiled houses. You can also try the famous water buffalo cart ride (about ¥3,000 per person for 25 minutes). The guide explains the island’s history in Japanese and plays traditional three-string music. For more information, see here.

Where to stay: Hotel Peace Island Taketomijima，Taketomijima Guesthouse
Watch: Our Fat Bike Tour of Okinawa Countryside Japan!

Photo Highlights:
by Hiroko Yoshii | Wataru Sato

Phantom Island & Blue Cave Snorkeling Day Tour

Phantom Island is a tiny uninhabited sandbar located between Taketomi Island and Kohama Island. It disappears underwater during high tide, which is why it is called a “phantom” island.

The Blue Cave is an underwater cave near Yonehara Beach. The cave is about 50 meters long and is a great spot for snorkeling, where you can see coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles.

Price: Approximately 17,000 yen. For reservations, see here.
Watch 幻の島上陸ツアー

Watch: 石垣島でウミガメ見る【青の洞窟シュノーケル】

Hateruma Island

Hateruma is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan. It is about 15 km around, with around 500 residents. The water here is extremely clear — ideal for travelers who don’t get seasick easily.

How to Get to Hateruma:
You can take a high-speed ferry operated by Anei.
The trip takes about 60–80 minutes each way depending on sea conditions. A round-trip ticket costs ¥8,750. There are 2–4 sailings per day depending on the season. You can usually buy tickets on the day, but booking ahead in summer is better.
There are also occasional flights (~30 minutes), but the schedule is irregular.

Getting around:
① There are no buses or taxis on the island.
② Renting an electric bicycle is the best option, costing 2,000 yen per day, such as from this rental shop.
③ You can also walk from the ferry terminal to the southernmost point, which is about 4 kilometers and takes about 1 hour.

Recommended Visit Time: 3-4 hours
Things to do:
① Enjoy the views or go snorkeling at the most beautiful beach, Nishihama ニシ浜, which has shower facilities and restrooms.
② Visit the “Southernmost Point Monument in Japan.”
③ If you’re interested in diving, see here for more information.
④ For those wanting to stay overnight, you can choose from options like Pension Sainantan or Hotel Oceans.

Notes:
① The waters nearby can be rough, and the boat ride may be very bumpy, so please take motion sickness medication in advance.
② Restaurants on the island may not be open, and there are no convenience stores or supermarkets. Vending machines are scarce, so please bring your own food.
③ There are no trash bins on the island, so please take your garbage with you.

Watch: Hateruma Island Nishihama

Watch: 波照間島。人生で一度は訪れてみたい日本最南端の有人島

  Thank you for reading. Hope you have a wonderful journey! ヽ(´▽`)/