Ishigaki Island ー
石垣島
Center of Yaeyama Islands:
Ishigaki Island is the third largest island next to Okinawa Island, Iriomote island in Okinawa Prefecture, belonging to the Yaeyama Islands. Ishigaki is the center of politics, economy, education and the traffic of the Yaeyama Islands. The coral reef at the shore makes the world’s best scene, and there are not only mangroves but also a lot of animals and plants of the endemic species.
Access and Getting Around
It is 410 km away from Okinawa Island, but direct flights from Tokyo etc and an-hour flight from Okinawa Island are available, which makes it convenient to get. There are no vessel services from the mainland and Okinawa Island except mail vessel services, but Ishigaki Port is the important base of the vessel route to the Yaeyama Islands. A bus is available from the airport to the downtown. Fixed-route buses run every one to two hours in the main areas except the northern part, it is necessary to turn around premeditatedly because bus services to the beaches are inconvenient. Using a rental car is more effective. You may choose your tour way by bicycle or motorcycle according to your preference. Beware that there are no shops in suburbs because Ishigaki Island is large. In case of inadequate time, a half-day tour bus with only Japanese guidelines is available.
By plane
3 hours from Tokyo Haneda with four flights per day; other flights from Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. 1 hour from Naha with 20 flights per day (flights changeable depending on seasons). 30 minutes from Miyakojima Island with 3 flights per day.
Features
-Sea View
Kabira Bay is a representative tourist attraction of Ishigaki Island,which is the subject of topic of people while talking about Ishigaki Island.Some small islands are scattered here and there in the magnificently transparent bay,and the clear sea and white sandy beach seen from the hill are a superb view.It is an attractive activity to the tourists to take a glass boatwhere the colorful coral ree...
-Sea View
Kabira Park is within a few minute walk reach from Kabira Bay.The scenery seen from the observatory is superb, and it is nice to visit there at different timesbecause the sea colors change with the change of the flow and ebb of tides....
-Sea View
It is a cape located at the westernmost tip of Ishigaki Island.The huge rock under the observatory with the lighthouse and the scene of a beautiful beach are splendid.It is famous for the superb view spot of the sunset on the opening lawns of the peninsula across a small hill.It is far away from the downtown, a rental car is the most suitable for a visit as if it is a picnic....
-Sea View -Outdoor Activities
Sukuji beach is near from Kabira Bay.It is in the middle of the bay with a mountain as its back, and the shallow part is covered by the soft sand.Though snorkeling is impossible without coral reefs,but the sea is calm and the beach is suitable for a family tour with childrenbecause the facilities such as rest rooms and showers are available....
-Mountain View -Outdoor Activities
Because it is in the northern mountainous area, tourists can see the thick subtropical jungle, primitive natural sceneryand feel that the nature is magnificently splendid.A great variety of animals and plants inhabit here and participating in an eco-tour to go aroundthe northwest of Ishigaki Island is recommended because there are a lot of tour companies handling a river kayak.In case you cannot ...
-Sea View -Outdoor Activities
Because the Yonehara Beach is near to Kabira Bay, it is the most popular in Ishigaki Island.Coral reefs grow well, and a shallow reef opens as far as wide.The drift of the tide is fast, a long-distance swim is prohibited.It is the beach where tourists can enjoy the coral reefs lightly by watching blueand yellow fishes several meters away from the beach.In addition, there is the primitive forest of...
-Sea View
It is a beach on the West Coast of the Hirakubo Peninsula, away from the city area,but the sand of good quality and the scenery are splendid.It is suitable for snorkeling and the most suitable for those who want to sunbathe on the beach while enjoying the scenery.It is an ideal beach because it is close to the facilities convenient for experiencing the unexplored region.It is recommended that if y...
-Sea View
Hirakubo Lighthouse is an observatory spot at the northernmost tip of Ishigaki Island.The scenery seen from Hirakubo Lighthouse is grand and can beautiful scenes such as the clear sea,the small islands of the offing can be enjoyed....
-Sea View
It is a beauty spot that the sea like peninsula and Ishigaki Island can be seen on the observatory,along the northeastern part of Ishigaki Island, a national highway.It is where the inner sea and outer sea is contrasted each other, looks quite neat.A lot of flowers such as hibiscuses are planted on the way to the observatory,it becomes a comfortable promenade.It is included in the morning bus tour...
-Sea View
It can be seen from the big coral of 10 km from the north to the south,and the blue coral is said to be the biggest in the Northern Hemisphere and is valuable academically.The scene of the shore is not beautiful but, anyway,it is the shore where tourists appreciate underwater coral with snorkels here and is accessible by ship.Though a personal tour is allowed, having tour with an instructor is rec...
-Mountain View -Outdoor Activities
Miyara River is the biggest river on the island flowing through the southern part of Ishigaki Island.A lot of natural riverbanks remain, and plants grow well on the mangrove damp ground in the lower area of the riverand it is designated as the natural monument of the country as "Plant Forest of the Miyara River”.In addition, in recent years the tour by canoe extends to the river entrance.You may h...
-Recreational Facilities
Ishigaki-yaima mura is located in the southwestern part of Ishigaki Island,and it is the biggest bay on the island where the spontaneous generation of the mangrove is seenbecause it is on the hill overlooking "the excellent storehouse gulf".It is the southernmost theme park of Japan which shows the folk culture of the good old Ishigaki district.The old private house agriculture of red tiles, farmh...
-Sea View
It is a small cape, but it is close to the downtown area, so it is easy to get to see the sunset.It takes 30 minutes by rental bicycle,it is recommended to those who do not go to Cape Ugan, for it is too far....
-Historic Sites
It is on the other side of the road to the Cape Kannon Lighthouse, a grave of the memorial service of the victims of the case occurring in 1852.Chinese workers received too terrible treatment on the way to California, America from the mainland China by ship,so they mutinied and killed the captain a few other crew.And the ship which the Chinese workers took ran aground off Ishigaki Island,and they ...
-Outdoor Activities -Recreational Facilities
It is a fully natural park 4kms away to the north of the city. Anyone can enjoy the natural park.The park is on the Mt. Banner of 200 meters, and there are four different environmental open spaces,and what tourists can enjoy is the nature observation sidewalk, bird watching, observation of butterfliesand flowers and prospect.Because there are few tourists for some reason, it is the place that a pe...
-Food -Shops
More than 100 restaurants, stores and souvenir shops link the eaves around the public marketin the central shopping street of Ishigaki City.Not only vegetables, fruit and beef from Ishigaki Island are sold herebut also folk crafts, accessories from other areas in Okinawa are sold at lower prices than at airport,it is recommended to buy souvenirs of Ishigaki Island here....
Accommodation around Ishigaki Island
