Ishigaki Island is somewhere that has been on my list ever since my husband told me about it when we first met in Japan 8 years ago.
It seemed so wild (but also totally expected that in the diversity of Japan’s landscapes, there would also be a string of tropical islands with crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand beaches and a laidback, island lifestyle.
And yet, this is Ishigaki island, or Ishigakijima.
Finally this year, we made it to Ishigaki. Me for the first time and the second time for my husband. And while he felt that it’s definitely become more developed in the 8 years since his last visit, there’s no doubt that Ishigaki and the Yaeyama Islands in general are significantly under the radar when it comes to tourism destinations in Japan.
We flew into Ishigaki from Seoul, South Korea and found that most of the other tourists were either Japanese or Korean. In fact, most flights to Ishigaki are only domestic flights or flights from Korea.
We spent 4 days on Ishigaki Island, with a day trip to Taketomi Island and I want to share with you everything we did (and wish we’d done!) to help you plan your own Ishigaki itinerary with the best things to do in Ishigaki Island, including the best activities, the best Ishigaki beaches, where to eat and where to stay.
I will also share how to get around and the costs of any activities we did, although you’ll be pleased to know that most of the nature stops such as beaches, lighthouses, lookout points etc are all free to visit.
Nosokodake viewpoint
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Where is Ishigaki Island?
Located in the Yaeyama Islands group, Ishigaki island is part of Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, although it sits closer to Taiwan than mainland Japan.
Kabira Bay
Ishigaki City
How to get to Ishigaki Island
You have to fly to Ishigaki Island which has a (very small) international airport.
The most common way to reach Ishigaki is by domestic flight from one of Japan’s major airports. Flights to Ishigaki run all year round from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa. Other airports do have flights to Ishigaki during the high season.
You can also fly to Ishigaki from Seoul, South Korea which is how we got there. We then continued our onward trip with a flight from Ishigaki to Naha on the Okinawa main island and then on to Fukuoka in Kyushu.
Flying to Ishigaki
When is the best time of year to visit Ishigaki Island?
The best time to visit Ishigaki is difficult to pin down as each season has its pros and cons.
Ishigaki Island is humid all year round and has very mild winters, generally even if you visit in the winter, temperatures during the day are 20-25C.
November-March are the cooler months but the winter is dry and still relatively warm. This is the season when the water is coolest though so water activities and beach days might be limited.
Ishigaki has a short rainy season in May-June (which we visited in) and we got about half good days and half rainy days, as always weather and rainfall varies from year to year so you could end up with rainy days or you could end up with great weather, that’s the gamble!
Summer is generally the “peak” season in Ishigaki between June-September. Temperatures are 30-35C during the day with high humidity but this is the best season if you’re looking for a beach holiday.
The typhoon season is late August to October so this is something to bear in mind.
Ishigaki water
Hirakubozaki Lighthouse
Where to stay on Ishigaki Island
We stayed in the main Ishigaki town and it was the perfect spot for our 4 days in Ishigaki.
Our hotel was called The BREAKFAST HOTEL MARCHE Ishigaki Island And the location couldn’t be more perfect!
Located centrally in Ishigaki town but on a side street so it wasn’t noisy or busy (not that Ishigaki is even that busy!) It was just a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal and steps away from the shopping mall, lots of restaurants and had parking too (although spaces are limited and on a first come, first serve basis with a fee per day)
It was modern, had a great communal space and the staff were lovely. There were also laundry facilities and evening drink facilities and drink tokens for guests.
How to get around Ishigaki Island
Without a doubt, the best way to get around Ishigaki is by car.
There is public transport in the main town of Ishigaki, however the regularity of public transport outside of this area would make it very hard to see the rest of the island.
We did come across some people who were using taxis to take day trips from Ishigaki town around the island and I’d imagine you could hire a driver for a day or two. Although this is likely a much more expensive option compared to the price of renting a car which we found to be very affordable - around £25 per day.
We used Klook car rental as we found that Klook has local car rental agencies listed which are much more affordable than the big global car rental companies.
NOTE: car rentals on the island are obviously not infinite and we heard that in peak season they often run out of cars. So if you’re planning to visit in the peak season, make sure you book your car rental well in advance.
Best things to do on Ishigaki Island, Japan
Hirakubozaki Lighthouse
Cost: free
Arguably one of the most iconic sights in Ishigaki, this white lighthouse perched on a rocky outcrop is surrounded by azure-blue waters.
Located at the top of the island, the opposite end from the main town, I’d recommend starting your day here and working your way back down the island so you do the longest drive at the start of the day. Even then, the drive from Ishigaki town to the Lighthouse is only around 1 hour.
There is a small car park at the lighthouse and it’s a very short 2 minute walk from the car park to the Lighthouse - stay a while to enjoy the views.
Hirakubozaki Lighthouse
Hirano Beach
Cost: free
Located next to Hirakubozaki Lighthouse, you do have to drive down to the beach - but you can see the lighthouse from there and it’s just a 5 minute drive away.
The beach is down a dirt road and we found it easier to leave the car in a layby near the top and walk down.
We were the only people on the beach and it was just stunning - the perfect spot for a quiet beach afternoon if you’re looking for some chilled time on Ishigaki.
Hirano beach
Hirakubo Beach
Cost: free
Another beautiful beach, I was a bit sad that it was cloudy when we visited here because I actually think this might be one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen in my life - even on a cloudy day!
You follow a short path through the trees which opens onto a stunning cove with rocks either side that you can walk under to access even more beach area.
It was simply stunning, so peaceful, calm and clear water and honestly one of the best beaches in Ishigaki and one of the best things to do on Ishigaki if you’re looking for a relaxing beach day.
Hirakubo Beach
Hirakubo Beach sand
Tamatorizaki Observation Platform
Cost: free
if you visit one observation platform on Ishigaki island, make it this one.
This is a well-developed lookout point with views of the luscious, mountainous green island, the turquoise blue bay. Looking out from here made me think of famous photos you might have seen of Hawaii or the Azores (not that I’ve been to either but to give you an idea!)
There is a large car park with facilities like a toilet and vending machine.
It’s a short walk from the car park along a decking walkway to get to the observation point where you can enjoy views of the Ishigaki coastline in every direction.
There’s also a cafe with a goat directly opposite the car park which was super cute inside and had crafts available to buy. We had the best, freshest mango smoothie from here to cool off in the heat.
Tamatorizaki Observation Platform
View from Tamatorizaki
Nosokodake Observation Deck
Cost: free
After visiting the last observation deck, we saw this spot on the map and decided to check it out.
The drive up to this Ishigaki observation deck is a beautiful, tree covered road that feels magical as you wind up the mountain.
This lookout point is far less popular and you’ll need to park in one of the handful of laybys along the side of the road.
From the observation deck you’ll have from the centre of the island, looking down on the rolling green hills that lead to the bright blue water surrounding the island.
Nosokodake Observation Deck
Yaeyama palm forest in Maibara
Cost: free
We found this spot by accident while driving out to Yonehara Beach and Arakawa Falls.
There is a small car parking area at the end of a side road that looks very unassuming and you might wonder if you’re in the right place.
This is a short walkway through the rainforest/palm forest where native palm species that are unique to Ishigaki Island can be seen.
We didn’t come across anyone else while we were here and it really felt like we were immersing ourselves in the sounds of the rainforest with the patter of rain, the sounds of cicadas and birds in the trees.
Yaeyama Palm Forest
Yonehara Beach
Cost: 500 yen
This is one of the more popular beaches on Ishigaki island and is the only one we came across that had a fee to park (500 yen).
This is a stunning, large bay with a sandy beach, stunning crystal-clear water and surrounded by lush green hills.
Arakawa Falls
Cost: free
This is a totally unexpected spot on the side of the road and I only found out about it from looking at points of interest on Google Maps.
If you find the location on Google Maps, there is a small car park just beyond the point on the map. Then you need to walk back down the road a short way and across the bridge. Immediately on your left after you’ve walked back across the bridge is the path down to the waterfall.
Apparently this is a local swimming spot that people come to to cool off and wash off after going to the beach. You can see the rope swing there too! However no one else was there when we visited and it felt almost surreal in this cocooned canopy of trees with the rush of the waterfall when you’re right next to the road and yet no one can see you from the road.
Arakawa Falls
Helena at Arakawa Falls
Kabira Bay
Cost: free to visit and see from viewpoints / prices vary if you do a tour or water activity
One of the most famous places to visit on Ishigaki Island is Kabira Bay, part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Kabira Bay is famous for its white sand, turquoise water and lush islands and greenery.
You can go to the Kabira Bay observation deck for free - here is the Google Maps location (although you might need to pay for car parking at the nearby car park depending on the time of day you visit).
The walkway through the trees to the observation deck is beautiful and the views of the Bay on a clear sunny day are simply stunning.
Just down from the observation deck is a set of steps which gives you access to the beach. You can walk down here and go paddling but it’s not really a beach for swimming as this is where most of the tour boats depart from.
Kabira Bay offers many water activities from boat tours on the bay to stand up paddleboarding tours to kayaking to snorkeling and wildlife tours.
We booked a stand up paddle tour with Mare Ishigakijima for their clear SUP tours which also includes drone footage of you. Their guides don’t speak English though but their booking team do and were super helpful.
There are several glass bottom boat tours and clear stand up paddleboarding companies so you enjoy the clear waters and see the wildlife. Here’s a selection of Kabira Bay tours and activities with English speaking guides:
Kabira Bay
Kabira Bay water
Kabira Shrine
Kabira Bay Boats Tours
Day trip to Taketomi Island
Cost: ferry tickets are 2000-2200 yen
This was the one day trip we definitely knew we would be doing on our Ishigaki Island trip.
Taketomi Island is another island in the Yaeyama chain and can be reached by a short 20 minute ferry ride from the port in Ishigaki town.
Taketomi is a mostly pedestrian island where water buffalo pull carts around the village and you’ll need to rent a bike to get around the island.
Kondoi Beach is the most famous place to visit on Taketomi Island and we had booked a traditional Sanpan boat tour for our day there with Shukaji Taketomijima. Unfortunately the winds were too high to go out on the boat but the beach itself was stunning and you can even walk out to the sand bar at low tide.
You can read my full Taketomi day trip guide and itinerary here, including how to use the ferries, where to rent a bike from and what to see and do on the island.
Kondoi beach
Taketomi Town
Taketomi rental bike
Waterfalls of Iriomote Island
This is one that we wish we'd had time to do on our trip as a friend of ours highly recommended a visit to Iriomote island.
This is a large, lush island covered in rainforest and waterfalls and is an outdoor lover's dream. Go here for countless waterfall hikes and coastal adventures.
Unfortunately it’s a bit further away from Ishigaki than Taketomi island and would mean either a very long day trip or an overnight stay which we just didn’t have time for on our 4 days in Ishigaki.
However these are the tours and day trips to Iriomote island that we considered.
Oganzaki Lighthouse
Cost: free to visit
I actually kind of preferred the location of this lighthouse over the famous Hirakubozaki Lighthouse in the north of Ishigaki.
This lighthouse on Ishigaki island is stark white, surrounded by the lush greenery of the cliffs and trees with a dramatic drop into the sea below.
I was lucky enough to meet a local guide who was showing two tourists around and he showed me the route to climb onto the rocks for a view of the lighthouse.
Oganzaki lighthouse
Lighthouse
Ishigaki Island Village food court - Ippo Ippo restaurant
A couple we met in the sake bar (I mention below) recommended this food court to us which is located on Misaki Center-Tori Street (Here is the Google Maps location)
Inside is lots of izakaya-style restaurants with the usual limited seating and small area, but it’s in a more open-air style with each eatery vaguely sectioned off from the next - I guess this is Izakaya island style!
We went to Ippo Ippo and had an incredible meal, the freshest tuna sashimi, incredible gyoza and the famous Ishigaki sea Grapes (a type of seaweed that you have to try in Ishigaki)
We ended up spending the evening here, playing games with the bar staff who gave us some of the famous Ishigaki spirit called Habushu to try - famous because it has a native venomous snake (a Habu pit viper snake) preserved in it! Ask for Habu Sake or Okinawan snake wine.
Ippo Ippo restaurant
Fresh Seafood
Seafood
Sea Grapes
Snake Sake
Spam Sushi roll for breakfast
Located in Ishigaki town on the main road as you walk towards the ferry port, this is a breakfast sandwich hatch which serves the famous spam breakfast rolls that are so popular in Okinawa.
Okinawans love Spam!
Spam Sandwich
Ishigaki Stalactite Cave
Cost: 1200 yen
I’d pinned this spot just out of intrigue because I had no idea that there were caves on Ishigaki island. But when we had a rainy day in the middle of our trip (hello rainy season in the tropics), it was the perfect rainy day activity on Ishigaki Island.
There’s ample car parking and the cave was much more extensive than we expected. We were probably walking through the cave system for 30-40 minutes in total - allowing for photo stops.
The eeriest part was that we’ve been in caves like this before in Vietnam and the UK and there’s usually lots of other people around or a line of tourists ahead of you.
In here there was barely anyone which made it all the more eerie - I kept wondering what if they shut the cave and forget we’re in here?! Of course I was being ridiculous.
While I wouldn’t compare this activity with road tripping around the island and seeing places like Kabira Bay or the lighthouses and beaches, I do think it’s a great option if like us, you find your outdoor plans rained off!
Stalactite Cave
Old Book Cafe Usagido
Cost: free to browse, unless you buy something
Welcome to the southernmost bookshop in Japan!
This charming little bookshop is located in Ishigaki town and is a quaint bookstore-come-cafe with both Japanese and English books.
Although the owner spoke no English, we communicated with Google Translate and he enjoyed showing us the collection of books about the islands and also the English language section. There were also two elderly Japanese ladies in there having their sandwich and soup for lunch - just the cutest, cosy, wholesome bookstore vibes.
Ishigaki bookshop
蔵元SAKE＆GALLERY
Cost: depends on price of the sake
Another spot we stumbled on around our hotel in the rain!
This was just across the road from the street our hotel was on and while it definitely attracts tourists, the selection of local sake and spirits is incredible.
The bartender was from Indonesia and had been practising Japanese and was pretty much fluent meaning we could speak to him and the other staff easily. We also met Dutch and German tourists here which I always love - it’s so interesting to hear about other people’s travels and how they end up in the same place as you.
We got a tasting set of sakes from local Okinawan breweries and loved the unique flavours and being able to try regional sakes.
Another great option for an evening activity or if you’re looking for things to do in Ishigaki if it’s rainy!
Ishigaki sake tasting bar
Summary: the best things to do in Ishigaki Island
Whether you’re visiting Ishigaki island for a day or two, or for a week, I hope this guide has given you plenty of ideas for things to do and places to visit in Ishigaki. It’s such an unknown and underrated destination in Japan – so now is the perfect time to visit!
There is such a variety of things to do in Ishigaki, from hiking, boat trips and viewpoints to cave adventures, sake tasting or relaxing on a beach.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Ishigaki Island!
