Ishigaki serves because the financial and transportation hub of Okinawa’s Yaeyama Islands, the southernmost archipelago in Japan. Apparently, it’s nearer to Taiwan than mainland Japan, giving this tropical island a definite mix of cultures and a laid-back attraction.
The New Ishigaki Airport hosts airways with direct flights from Okinawa Essential Island, main Japanese cities, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In the meantime, Ishigaki Port connects it to neighboring islands and welcomes visiting cruise ships.
Recognized for its pristine seashores, vibrant underwater surroundings, and panoramic spots, Ishigaki has change into one of many selection ports of name amongst Asian cruises, providing a relaxed day journey expertise. In case you are pulling a DIY, word that public transportation is proscribed, so it’s finest to e-book a vacationer taxi upfront. Extra on this later.
Listed here are a number of the finest issues to do and a pattern itinerary that can assist you profit from your fast cease on this tropical island paradise.
Issues to Do in Ishigaki
1. Ishigaki Limestone Cave
Shaped over a whole lot of hundreds of years, the Ishigaki Limestone Cave gives an interesting glimpse into an historic underwater cave. It’s one of many largest limestone caves on the island, extending greater than three kilometers, although solely about 600 meters are accessible to the general public.
Inside, you’ll discover a treasure trove of pure formations — stalactites and stalagmites formed by time and crystal-clear swimming pools and comes. A selected space options colourful illuminations. The air stays pleasantly cool year-round, making it a super cease in the summertime. Right here’s a map of the cave with its factors of curiosity:
Upon exiting the cave, you’ll come throughout a department of the favored homegrown ice cream model, Blue Seal. You’ll be able to take pleasure in a scoop or two (JPY 450-800), or you’ll be able to head straight to the restaurant for a neighborhood meal. Because it was nonetheless early for us, we opted for a Shiikwaasa-flavored shaved ice with milk (JPY 500), which — other than refreshing — was surprisingly good! The institution additionally doubles as a memento store.
Tackle: Ishigaki Limestone Cave, 1666 Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Opening Hours: Cave – Each day 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Restaurant – Each day, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Store – Each day, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entrance Payment: Grownup, JPY 1200; Youngsters, JPY 600
How one can Get to Ishigaki Limestone Cave: Both e-book a shore tour package deal or constitution a vacationer taxi. Journey time from the port is roughly quarter-hour.
2. Kabira Bay
Located on the northwestern coast of Ishigaki, Kabira Bay is among the many island’s most scenic and most photographed spots. Designated a Place of Scenic Magnificence in 1997, it captivates guests with its white sand seashores, glass-like cerulean waters, and plush coastal environment.
To protect the realm and due to the robust present, swimming is prohibited in most seaside areas. However there are nonetheless loads of methods to take pleasure in right here, together with strolling alongside the shore, admiring the colourful marine life by means of a glass-bottom boat tour, or soaking within the breathtaking view of the bay from a hilltop commentary deck. You’ll additionally discover a small Seventeenth-century temple close to the lookout level.
Earlier than shifting on to your subsequent cease, you’ll be able to take a look at the outlets and meals stalls close to the parking space for native souvenirs and snacks.
Tackle: Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Glass-Backside Boat Tour Fee: Adults, JPY 1300; Youngsters, JPY 650
How one can Get to Kabira Bay: Both e-book a shore tour package deal or constitution a vacationer taxi. Journey time from the port is roughly 35 minutes.
3. Ishigaki Yaima Mura
Perched on a small hill overlooking the Nagura Bay on the island’s southwestern coast, Ishigaki Yaima Mura (Ishigaki Yaima Village) transports you again to the olden days of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This open-air theme park and museum is dotted with a number of well-preserved conventional Okinawan homes, full with red-tiled roofs, wood structure, and coral stone partitions that function fences.
Different noteworthy sights within the park embrace the Makishi Residence, Toomidai, Mangrove Strolling Expertise, Nagura Ampal, Ashibi People Present, Squirrel Monkey Forest, and Nagura Drive-in, the place you’ll be able to cease for a lightweight snack and decide up some souvenirs.
Tackle: Ishigaki Yaima Mura, 967-1 Nagura, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0021, Japan
Opening Hours: Each day, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Final entry, 5:00 PM
Entrance Payment: Adults, JPY 1200; Youngsters, JPY 600
How one can Get to Ishigaki Yaima Mura: Both e-book a shore tour package deal or constitution a vacationer taxi. Journey time from the port is roughly 20 minutes.
4. Euglena Mall
Positioned close to the port space, Euglena Mall, previously named Ayapani Mall, is a handy cease for procuring and meals journey on the island. Hailed as Japan’s southernmost arcade mall, the complicated consists of two parallel streets — Chuo Avenue and Ginza Avenue, with the Ishigaki Public Market located proper on the heart.
The coated procuring lanes are lined with eating places, cafés, normal shops, memento outlets, relaxation areas, and boutiques. That is the proper spot to choose up and produce dwelling genuine Ishigaki merchandise or native specialties comparable to awamori, Okinawa’s signature rice liquor.
Tackle: Euglena Mall, 203 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan
How one can Get to Euglena Mall: Throughout our latest cruise cease, shuttle bus providers operated between the cruise port and Euglena Mall. If that is your solely vacation spot, you’ll be able to merely hop on this bus. Don’t neglect to take a photograph of the return schedule. Buses depart each half-hour from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM to three:30 PM. The fare is JPY 200, a method. Journey time from the port is roughly 10 minutes.
5. Ishigaki Meals Journey
And whereas we’re with reference to meals, it’s price exploring Ishigaki’s native flavors. One standout ingredient is shiikwaasa, a local citrus fruit just like calamansi, although they aren’t the identical. We tried a shiikwaasa-flavored shaved ice on the Limestone Cave restaurant. In the meantime, many shops in Euglena Mall promote refreshing shiikwaasa juice. You’ll additionally discover loads of different meals merchandise infused with this zesty fruit.
The island can also be identified for its recent seafood and Ishigaki beef, which is a particular sort of wagyu. We managed to hit two birds with one stone after we stopped for lunch at Sabanisen, a comfy native restaurant only a few blocks from Euglena Mall. We ordered Ishigakijima Kinnkai Sashimori, a sahimi platter that includes seven kinds of seafood, together with tuna, squid, and marlin. Every slice was exceptionally recent with no fishy odor or style. Some even had a delicate sweetness.
We additionally had the Ishigaki Beef Nigiri Sushi Plate, which didn’t disappoint! The meat was juicy, tender, and superbly marbled. To cap off our meal, we acquired Brown Sugar Warabimochi, a chewy dessert paying homage to Japanese mochi and Turkish delight.
Sabanisen Tackle: 3 Misakicho, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Value: Ishigaki Beef Nigiri Sushi Plate, JPY 2420; Ishigakijima Kinnkai Sashimori, JPY 2387; Brown Sugar Warabimochi, JPY 420
Pattern Ishigaki Day Journey Itinerary
In the event you’re visiting Ishigaki on a cruise port cease, you’ll be able to nonetheless see a few of its high sights inside only a few hours. Simply word that public transportation is proscribed, so if you’re going the DIY route, the best choice is to e-book a vacationer taxi upfront.
We’ve visited Ishigaki on two separate cruise journeys and tried two totally different firms providing brief sightseeing excursions. Each supplied packages lasting round three hours, priced between ¥13,200 and ¥13,500 per automobile. This often covers three vacationer spots. If the tour transcend three hours, an extra payment of about ¥4500 per hour applies. Listed here are the 2 firms we booked:
- Mitsuboshi Taxi (Three Star Taxi)
Official Web site: 3star-taxi.jp
Contact Quantity: 0980 82 3755 - Karayama Group (Kawarayama/Ishigakijima Transportation)
Official Web site: ishigakijima-kotsu.com
Vacationer Taxi Reservation: 0980 88 1777
Common Dispatch Service: 0980 82 4649
Alright! Assuming you’re chartering a vacationer taxi for 3 hours, right here’s a pattern itinerary you’ll be able to comply with. Be happy to regulate the timings or swap out the locations. Your driver will allow you to select the sights you need to go to.
09:30 AM – Ishigaki Port Cruise Terminal
10:00 AM – Disembark + Vacationer Taxi Decide up
10:15 AM – Ishigaki Limestone Cave, ¥1200
11:00 AM – Kabira Bay, FREE
12:00 PM – Euglena Mall + Sabanisen Lunch
01:00 PM – Head again to Ishigaki Port Cruise Terminal
DIY vs Shorex Tour
We’ve visited Okinawa by means of three cruise strains — StarCruises, Royal Caribbean, and Costa Serena. Whichever cruise line you’re crusing with, you’ll have two methods to discover at each port of name:
- SHOREX TOUR. These are group excursions organized by the cruise firms in partnership with native tour operators. Every part is taken care of — transportation, itinerary, and often lunch. All it’s essential do is present up on time. Pre-booking a shore tour is cheaper than these bought on board. Shorex Desk is on Decks 4 and 5.
- D-I-Y. In the event you’d quite discover at your individual tempo, you’ll be able to go for a D-I-Y journey. This selection provides you full management over your itinerary and is commonly extra budget-friendly. Simply be sure to handle your time fastidiously as a result of the ship will go away as scheduled, with or with out you. It’s at all times safer to return to the port early to keep away from being left behind.
Irrespective of which choice you select, you’ll obtain important particulars earlier than getting off, together with return directions, port title, and port handle. Don’t neglect to convey a photocopy of your passport’s biopage, too.
Updates Log
2025 10 28 – First uploaded
Images by: Asta Alvarez, Yosh Dimen, and Vins Carlos