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 appeal.
The New Ishigaki Airport hosts airways with direct flights from Okinawa Predominant 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 grow to be one of many selection ports of name amongst Asian cruises, providing a relaxed day journey expertise. If you’re pulling a DIY, word that public transportation is restricted, so it’s greatest to e-book a vacationer taxi prematurely. Extra on this later.
Listed below are among the greatest issues to do and a pattern itinerary that will help you profit from your fast cease on this tropical island paradise.
Issues to Do in Ishigaki
1. Ishigaki Limestone Cave
Shaped over a whole bunch of hundreds of years, the Ishigaki Limestone Cave affords an interesting glimpse into an historical 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 perfect 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 get pleasure from a scoop or two (JPY 450-800), or you possibly can head straight to the restaurant for an area meal. Because it was nonetheless early for us, we opted for a Shiikwaasa-flavored shaved ice with milk (JPY 500), which — apart from refreshing — was surprisingly good! The institution additionally doubles as a memento store.
Deal with: Ishigaki Limestone Cave, 1666 Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Opening Hours: Cave – Every day 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Restaurant – Every day, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Store – Every day, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entrance Price: Grownup, JPY 1200; Youngsters, JPY 600
The way to 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 sturdy present, swimming is prohibited in most seashore areas. However there are nonetheless loads of methods to get pleasure from right here, together with strolling alongside the shore, admiring the colourful marine life by way 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 transferring on to your subsequent cease, you possibly can take a look at the outlets and meals stalls close to the parking space for native souvenirs and snacks.
Deal with: Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Glass-Backside Boat Tour Charge: Adults, JPY 1300; Youngsters, JPY 650
The way to 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 points of interest 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 possibly can cease for a light-weight snack and decide up some souvenirs.
Deal with: Ishigaki Yaima Mura, 967-1 Nagura, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0021, Japan
Opening Hours: Every day, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Final entry, 5:00 PM
Entrance Price: Adults, JPY 1200; Youngsters, JPY 600
The way to 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 buying and meals journey on the island. Hailed as Japan’s southernmost arcade mall, the advanced consists of two parallel streets — Chuo Avenue and Ginza Avenue, with the Ishigaki Public Market located proper on the middle.
The coated buying lanes are lined with eating places, cafés, normal shops, memento outlets, relaxation areas, and boutiques. That is the right spot to select up and produce house genuine Ishigaki merchandise or native specialties reminiscent of awamori, Okinawa’s signature rice liquor.
Deal with: Euglena Mall, 203 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan
The way to Get to Euglena Mall: Throughout our current cruise cease, shuttle bus companies operated between the cruise port and Euglena Mall. If that is your solely vacation spot, you possibly can 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 regards to meals, it’s value exploring Ishigaki’s native flavors. One standout ingredient is shiikwaasa, a local citrus fruit much 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 recognized for its contemporary 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 comfortable native restaurant just some blocks from Euglena Mall. We ordered Ishigakijima Kinnkai Sashimori, a sahimi platter that includes seven sorts of seafood, together with tuna, squid, and marlin. Every slice was exceptionally contemporary with no fishy scent or style. Some even had a refined sweetness.
We additionally had the Ishigaki Beef Nigiri Sushi Plate, which didn’t disappoint! The meat was juicy, tender, and fantastically marbled. To cap off our meal, we bought Brown Sugar Warabimochi, a chewy dessert harking back to Japanese mochi and Turkish delight.
Sabanisen Deal with: 3 Misakicho, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Worth: Ishigaki Beef Nigiri Sushi Plate, JPY 2420; Ishigakijima Kinnkai Sashimori, JPY 2387; Brown Sugar Warabimochi, JPY 420
Pattern Ishigaki Day Journey Itinerary
If you happen to’re visiting Ishigaki on a cruise port cease, you possibly can nonetheless see a few of its high points of interest inside just some hours. Simply word that public transportation is restricted, so if you’re going the DIY route, the best choice is to e-book a vacationer taxi prematurely.
We’ve visited Ishigaki on two separate cruise journeys and tried two completely different firms providing quick sightseeing excursions. Each offered 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 price of about ¥4500 per hour applies. Listed below 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 possibly can comply with. Be happy to regulate the timings or swap out the locations. Your driver will allow you to select the points of interest you wish 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 way of three cruise traces — 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. All the pieces 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. If you happen to’d fairly discover at your individual tempo, you possibly can go for a D-I-Y journey. This selection provides you full management over your itinerary and is usually extra budget-friendly. Simply make certain to handle your time rigorously as a result of the ship will go away as scheduled, with or with out you. It’s all the time safer to return to the port early to keep away from being left behind.
Regardless of which possibility you select, you’ll obtain important particulars earlier than getting off, together with return directions, port identify, and port tackle. Don’t neglect to deliver a photocopy of your passport’s biopage, too.
Updates Log
2025 10 28 – First uploaded
Images by: Asta Alvarez, Yosh Dimen, and Vins Carlos
