Ishigaki, Japan

Ishigaki is an island west of Okinawa Hontō and the second-largest island of the Yaeyama Island group. It is within the City of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture. The city functions as the business and transport center of the archipelago. There are a limited of must-see attractions, however Ishigaki’s beaches are among the most spectacular in Japan.

Kabira Bay, located at the northwest corner of the island is a stunning emerald blue bay with a perfect yellow-white beach, dotted by craggy islands. There is no swimming allowed, so the closest you can get is a glass-bottom boat tour. The view of the bay from nearby Kabira Park is spectacular.

Sukuji beach is 2km west of Kabira and boasts one kilometer of white sand beach, equipped with changing rooms, showers, toilets and other essentials. The view from the beach is stunning and on a clear day Uganzaki lighthouse is visible in the distance.

Yonehara offers nice sand and better coral reefs within easy snorkeling distance. The reef begins within meters of the beach and hosts enough life to interest experienced snorkelers and beginners alike.

Things to See & Do

* Kabira Bay – glass bottomed boat tour
* Sukuji Beach
* Yonehara beach
* Snorkeling & scuba diving
* Views from Kabira Park promenade

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – The port of Ishigaki is located at the center of the city near the bus terminal. There are two parts: the central Ritō-sanbashi for services to nearby islands, and a second unnamed pier at the southeast corner of the port for long-distance services to Yonaguni and slow boats to Hateruma.

Travel Links – Ishigaki Airport is the largest airport in the Yaeyama Islands. There are frequent connections to Naha and Miyako, some direct services to major Japanese cities like Tokyo, and daily flights to Yonaguni. There are buses to the port every 20 minutes.

There are extensive ferry services available between the islands of the Yaeyama group. The major operators are Anei Kankō, Hirata Group and Yaeyama Kankō Ferry. There are free courtesy buses from the larger resorts to some ferries, enquire locally.