ISLAND OF SONGS AND DANCE
ISHIGAKI
ISHIGAKI ISLAND IS JAPAN’S SOUTHERNMOST CITY, AND OFTEN CALLED
THE MOST SCENIC PLACE IN JAPAN.
IT LIES ABOUT 200NM EAST OF TAIWAN AND IS PART OF THE YAEYAMA ISLAND GROUP.
THE MAIN ISLAND OF OKINAWA IS ABOUT 400NM NORTHEAST.
FORMERLY RULED BY THE RYUKYU KINGDOM BEFORE IT WAS INCORPORATED INTO JAPAN, ISHIGAKI HAS A RICH HISTORY. THE RYUKYU KINGDOM WAS A STATE OF IMPERIAL CHINA, FROM THE 14TH UNTIL THE 19TH CENTURY. ITS INFLUENCE SHOWS IN THE ISLANDS ARCHITECTURE, LANGUAGE AND MUSIC.
IT FUNCTIONS AS A GATEWAY FOR MAINLAND JAPAN, HONGKONG, PHILIPPINES, AS WELL AS OTHER COUNTRIES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA. ONCE JAPAN’S BEST KEPT SECRET, ISHIGAKI IS NOW A POPULAR BEACH DESTINATION. IT IS WHERE MOST JAPANESE COME TO ESCAPE THE BIG CITY. WITH UNSPOILED BEACHES, CORAL REEFS, AND PALM FOREST. THE CLIMATE HERE IS MORE TROPICAL THAN ON MAINLAND JAPAN.
LIKE THE REST OF OKINAWA, THE ISLAND IS ALSO INFLEUNCED BY BOTH TAIWAN AND JAPAN DUE TO ITS LOCATION OF ABOUT 300 KM OFF TAIWAN ISLAND’S NORTHEASTERN COAST.
TODAY, ISHIGAKI IS THE CULTURAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CENTER OF THE YAEYAMA ISLANDS.
PORT GUIDE
PORT FACILITIES AND LOCATION
The Ishigaki cruise port is located on the southwest side of the island. Within the terminal/port, there is a station for visitors information, a waiting room, and restrooms.
There’s no Wi-Fi but if you take a taxi ask the driver if they have a pocket Wi-Fi you can use while on the way to your tour location. The Port provides a free shuttle bus to the town and back.
Taiwanese Star cruises makes weekly calls to the port.
ADDRESS :
Port of Ishigaki
3 Chome-４ Hamasakicho, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0013, Japan
Printable map to take along.
You can avail of free maps at the Information Center. Taxi Fares for various locations are also printed on flyers.
TOP SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS FOR CRUISES TO ISHIGAKI
Designated as one of eight scenic landscapes in Japan and also received three stars in the Michelin Guide.
KABIRA BAY - Designated as one of the top beach in the Okinawa chain of islands and one of Japan’s most scenic landscape, Kabira Bay’s emerald waters and sugar sand beach make it a must-see during your Ishigaki cruise.
The best way to see the bay is to set out in a glass-bottomed boat.
Lounge on the sand, or head out on a glass-bottom boat tour along the bay’s translucent waters. To protect the undisturbed coral and tropical fish, swimming is prohibited in Kabira Bay. It also received three stars in the Michelin Guide.
Boat ride operates all year round with a 15 minutes' interval from 09:00 to 17:00.
Renowned for its white sands, turquoise waters and dense vegetation.
BANNA PARK - Get a sense of Ishigaki’s tranquillity while surrounded by incredible flora in Banna Park. Hike through the forest and discover the indigenous plant and animal species that lie within it.
Observation deck with a fantastic view of the ocean and the surrounding forest.
Bring the entire family to the playground to climb, swing, and whirl down massive slides. Marvel at the panoramic view of all of Ishigaki, the shimmering seaside, and Taketomi Island nearby.
Fantastic view of from the observation point.
YAIMA VILLAGE - Head to Ishigaki’s only open-air museum, Yaima Village, to explore the history of Ishigaki and what life was like during the rule of the Ryukyuan Kingdom. Stroll the grounds of the village, taking in the traditional architecture, preserved homes, and the squirrel monkey garden. Learn about Okinawan culture, music, dancing, and more.
TAMATORIZAKI OBSERVATION DECK -Admire the view of Ishigaki and the Pacific Ocean below at Tamatorizaki Observation Deck, you’ll have a new appreciation for Japan’s coastal beauty. Enjoy the view at your own pace, then pop into a nearby cafe for tea and coffee.
Take a water buffalo cart ride through Taketomi and explore the island.
TAKETOMI ISLAND - Hop on board a quick ferry ride to Taketomi Island, which is just south of Ishigaki. Home to less than 400 people, you’ll get a glimpse of traditional Okinawan life during your visit. Take a coastal drive on the way to Hoshizu, a beach that’s world-renowned for sand shaped like stars, or enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime ride on a traditional water buffalo cart.
HIKE MOUNT OMOTO - Hikers and nature lovers won’t want to miss a climb up Mount Omoto, the highest peak on Ishigaki Island. It’s a 3.7-mile hike round-trip. Along the way, you’ll discover flowing waterfalls, lush vegetation, bamboo forests, and a breathtaking view from the summit.
You can see many tropical fishes snorkeling from the shore, or take a tour to Manta Point.
SNORKELING AND SCUBA DIVE - Can be enjoyed at nearly every beach on the island. Diving is being offered through the numerous shops with tours available for all experience levels. Be sure to check out the islands famed manta rays which congregate in large numbers around Manta Scramble near Kabira Bay. Also visit Sekiseishoko National Park which has Japan’s largest area of coral reef.
In addition to snorkeling and diving along the island’s beaches and coral reefs, the interior of Ishigaki has palm forests, mangrove lined rivers, and jungle covered mountains that offer hiking and camping.
TRANSPORTATION IN ISHIGAKI
The primary ways to navigate the island are via bus, boat, or car. Ferries visit nearby islands, and they run nearly as often as the island’s buses. Rental cars, taxis, and even bicycles are all modes of transit on Ishigaki. The sights of downtown Ishigaki are centrally located within a few blocks of one another, if you choose to stay close to the Ishigaki port. To reach most of the island’s top beaches, you’ll need to take a car or hop on a bicycle.
If you are a group of people, sharing a taxi will save you a lot of time and will not cost you much more than the bus (single tickets). Most drivers do not speak English so it is recommended to have a map or a piece of paper with your destination handy to avoid misunderstandings. There is usually a line of taxis waiting and you can ask a guide map from the Visitors Information and encircle the place of interest so you can show it to the driver.
WHAT TO EAT
Ishigaki is home to a growing culinary scene, and its dishes combine classic Japanese preparation and ingredients with local flair and Ryukyuan influence. The subtropical climate and island location mean that Ishigaki possesses a wealth of ripe, colorful fruits and fresh-caught fish year-round. Sample authentic Okinawan soba, which are thin noodles made of buckwheat. Stop in a kissaten, or tea-drinking shop, for coffee and desserts in a cozy atmosphere. You can also try the Ishigaki beef which is a brand Japanese black cow produced in Yaeyama district. It is known for its deliciously tender texture thanks to the fact that its fat melts at a lower temperature than other varieties.
Ishigaki beef is a brand Japanese black cow produced in Yaeyama district, and it must have a marbling rate of at least 25%.
Soba noodles are different from the mainland Japanese soba in that they are thicker and made with flour instead of buckwheat.
SHOPPING- WHERE TO BUY
Ishigaki is excellent for souvenir shopping. If you are searching for one-of-a-kind souvenirs from your time in Japan, venture just beyond the Ishigaki cruise port. The Euglena Mall, is a popular covered shopping center where you’ll find a selection of shops in the city center. Shop for original hand-crafted Japanese jewelry and accessories, t-shirts, woven Minsa textiles, Shisa figures, and Island spices. Don’t miss the chance to bring back a bottle of authentic Okinawan liquor, Awaramori-ya, a regional delicacy distilled from rice or millet.
You can find many shops selling souvenirs as well as drinks, food and handicraft.
You can buy neatly packaged dried fish from Ishigaki.
Ishigaki sea salt is made from the clear, coral rich waters off the coast of Ishigaki Island in Okinawa.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND TIPPING CUSTOMS
The official currency accepted during your Ishigaki cruise is the Japanese yen (JPY). Since Ishigaki is a small island, it’s recommended you carry cash for outings at restaurants and shopping at local boutiques, which sometimes don’t accept credit cards. There are various ATMs throughout the island.