Emerald & Traditional Blue
📅2026.04.06 Updated
Ishigaki & Taketomi:
The Complete Guide
Ishigaki Island, home to the Michelin three-star Kabira Bay.
Taketomi Island, where traditional red-tiled streets breathe with history.
These are the views that only reveal themselves to those who explore on foot — and by foot alone.
Explore Islands
📍 Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island
Must Visit
Kabira Bay
An emerald world recognized by the world—a must-visit when coming to Ishigaki.
Awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, Kabira Bay stands as Ishigaki’s most celebrated scenic spot.
The sea shifts color with every tide, revealing something new with each visit.
Explore the ocean floor through glass-bottom boat tours, or soak in the sweeping panoramic views from the observation deck above.
📍View location on Google MapThe sea shifts color with every tide, revealing something new with each visit.
Explore the ocean floor through glass-bottom boat tours, or soak in the sweeping panoramic views from the observation deck above.
💡 Travel Tips
- ・Snack shops, souvenir stores, and clean restrooms are available nearby.
- ・Free parking is located 50m past the paid parking area.
- ・For that photo-perfect view you’ve seen all over social media, make your way to the Kabira Park Observation Deck. This angle perfectly captures the Kabira Blue gradation.
- ・While the main beach is busy with glass-bottom boats, walking north along the shoreline leads to a much quieter area. It feels like a private beach—highly recommended for a tranquil moment.
📍 Recommended Spots & Hotels Nearby
Panoramic View
Tamatorizaki Observatory
Views of dynamic terrain and emerald coral reefs.
Located at the “waist” of Ishigaki Island.
You can drive near the top, making it easy for anyone to enjoy Ishigaki’s unique and dynamic landscape.
The contrast between the endless emerald sea and the rolling hills is a perfect photo spot.
📍View location on Google MapYou can drive near the top, making it easy for anyone to enjoy Ishigaki’s unique and dynamic landscape.
The contrast between the endless emerald sea and the rolling hills is a perfect photo spot.
Snorkeling
Yonehara Beach
The best spot for snorkeling in Ishigaki.
One of Ishigaki’s top snorkeling points, where you can encounter tropical fish right after entering the water.
Even in shallow areas, fish are abundant, making it great for families. It has some of the best beach facilities on the island.
📍View location on Google MapEven in shallow areas, fish are abundant, making it great for families. It has some of the best beach facilities on the island.
💡 Travel Tips
- ・🚿 Showers, restrooms, and shops available
- ・🚗 Parking (mostly paid) available
📍 Recommended Spots & Hotels Nearby
Family Friendly
Sokochi Beach
A peaceful sandy beach for relaxing moments.
With calm, shallow waters and few rocks, it’s ideal for families with small children to enjoy the sea safely.
While not the best for snorkeling, it’s perfect for feeling the slow island time. Facilities are basic but adequate.
📍View location on Google MapWhile not the best for snorkeling, it’s perfect for feeling the slow island time. Facilities are basic but adequate.
💡 Travel Tips
- ・🚿 Showers, restrooms, and shops available
- ・🐚 Shallow, beautiful sandy beach
📍 Recommended Spots & Hotels Nearby
Taketomi Island
Just 10 minutes by boat from Ishigaki. Old Okinawa, preserved.
Red-tiled villages and coral sand paths. In Taketomi Island, there is “authentic Okinawa” that has been strictly protected.
Lunch hours can be irregular on the island, so my recommendation is to buy a bento at the Ishigaki Port terminal and enjoy it on the beach.
Best Beach
Kondoi Beach
The most beautiful beach on Taketomi Island—if not in all of Yaeyama.
Taketomi’s finest beach, with clear, calm tropical waters stretching as far as the eye can see.
The pure sandy seabed, with few rocks or corals, feels blissful to walk on barefoot.
My personal highlight is walking the shoreline from Kondoi Beach all the way to Kaiji Beach.
A walk along the water’s edge is, quite simply, pure luxury.
📍View location on Google MapThe pure sandy seabed, with few rocks or corals, feels blissful to walk on barefoot.
My personal highlight is walking the shoreline from Kondoi Beach all the way to Kaiji Beach.
A walk along the water’s edge is, quite simply, pure luxury.
💡 Travel Tips
- ・Vending machines are not available. It’s a rule to buy drinks in the village beforehand.
- ・Toilets and showers are basic facilities only.
📍 Recommended Spots & Hotels Nearby
Heritage Village
Taketomi Village
A preservation district for important traditional buildings.
Detours are the best part of walking this island.
Located in the center of the island, this area is a designated preservation district.
While heading to a specific cafe is fine, I encourage you to turn down a random alleyway.
From vibrant hibiscus blooming over stone walls to the rhythmic clatter of water buffalo carts—immerse yourself in the island atmosphere.
📍View location on Google MapWhile heading to a specific cafe is fine, I encourage you to turn down a random alleyway.
From vibrant hibiscus blooming over stone walls to the rhythmic clatter of water buffalo carts—immerse yourself in the island atmosphere.
📍 Recommended Spots & Hotels Nearby
Sunset Pier
Nishi-sanbashi Pier
A silver path leading into the sea.
A straight path to the horizon, with the ocean breeze.
This pier, stretching straight into the beautiful sea, is one of Taketomi’s top photo spots.
In addition to the blue daytime waters, at dusk, the dramatic sunset lights up the pier beautifully—an essential spot for SNS photos.
📍View location on Google MapIn addition to the blue daytime waters, at dusk, the dramatic sunset lights up the pier beautifully—an essential spot for SNS photos.
📍 Recommended Spots & Hotels Nearby
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Star Sand Beach
Kaiji Beach
A quiet, shaded beach where you can find star-shaped sand.
Wild nature and a search for tiny star sand.
In contrast to Kondoi Beach, this area retains more of its untouched, wild nature.
It’s a spot for exploring rather than swimming—perfect for searching for star sand or resting in the shade. Recently added modern toilets inland are very helpful.
📍View location on Google MapIt’s a spot for exploring rather than swimming—perfect for searching for star sand or resting in the shade. Recently added modern toilets inland are very helpful.
📍 Recommended Spots & Hotels Nearby
Selected Restaurants in Ishigaki & Taketomi
🍜Local-Loved Island Meals
Nakayoshi Shokudo (Diner)
Yaeyama SobaMy top recommendation for authentic Yaeyama Soba. An unpretentious, real island taste loved by locals.
📍 Google MapsPainushima (Southern Island)
Regional CuisineIf you want to fully enjoy local Ishigaki cuisine, this is the place. A menu featuring unique island ingredients awaits.
📍 Google MapsTamaya (Soba Restaurant)
Breakfast & BentoIdeal for breakfast or picking up a bento before island-hopping or heading to the beach. Start your journey here.
📍 Google Maps🍽️Diverse Island Gourmet
il pozzo
ItalianIf you're craving Italian on the island, this is the place. Enjoy sophisticated dishes and a wonderful time.
📍 Google MapsA&W Ishigaki Shop
Fast FoodA beloved Okinawan staple. If you’ve never tried A&W — or “Enda” as locals call it — this is your chance.
📍 Google MapsCafe Gordon
Retro CafeDeeply local, gloriously uncommercialized. This is the authentic island experience that tourist traps can only dream of.
📍 Google MapsINFO
Travel Guide
✈️ Getting There
Flights to Painushima Ishigaki Airport (New Ishigaki Airport)
Naha (approx. 1h), Tokyo (approx. 3h), Osaka (approx. 2.5h)※Operated by ANA, JAL, Solaseed Air, and Peach
Ferries from Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal
Taketomi (approx. 10–15 min), Iriomote (approx. 40–50 min)※Operated by Aney Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
⭐ Early Rental Car Booking
Ishigaki is large with scattered spots. Since availability is limited, it’s a rule to secure your rental car as soon as you book your flights.
☀️ Best Season
April – October
This is the best period for enjoying the ocean. Specifically, late June right after the rainy season ends offers stable sunny weather and crystal-clear waters.
🌙 Duration
3 Nights, 4 Days+
Allow 2 days for Ishigaki itself, plus at least 1 day for Taketomi or other islands. A relaxed schedule is recommended to fully experience the charm of Yaeyama.
💰 Budget
60,000–120,000 JPY /person (3N4D)
※Estimated cost including round-trip airfare, accommodation, rental car, and meals.
🚗 Transportation
A rental car is essential for getting around Ishigaki. On Taketomi, rental bicycles, walking, or water buffalo carts are the standard.
⚠️ Important Notes
- 🚗It takes about 30–40 minutes to drive from the city center to Kabira Bay. Ishigaki is surprisingly large, so allow plenty of time for travel.
- 🍕Restaurants on Taketomi often have short hours or irregular holidays. A smart move is to secure food at the Ferry Terminal before crossing to the island.
- 🅿️For Kabira Bay parking, there is a free public parking lot just past the paid one. I recommend checking the back area first.
- 🤿Yonehara Beach is great for snorkeling, but rip currents can occur. Always check lifeguard instructions and signs, and ensure you wear a life jacket.
Stay in ComfortExperience the ultimate
Experience the ultimate
island time in Ishigaki.
From resort-style grand hotels
to convenient city stays.
Run & ExperienceRun across the breathtaking
Run across the breathtaking
scenery of Yaeyama.
From sea-breeze coastal paths
to red-tiled village routes.