Ishigaki / Japan

In the East China Sea, in the southwestern part of Okinawa Prefecture, lies Ishigaki Island between Japan and Taiwan. Its namesake capital and port on the southern coast has about 50 thousand inhabitants.

Ishigaki Island is a commercial center and the second largest island of the Yaeyama archipelago. It is known for its beautiful beaches and excellent conditions for surfing, snorkeling, and diving.

You can learn about the history of the island, located just 300 kilometers from Taiwan, at the Yaeyama Museum, which has a rich collection of historical and cultural artifacts, including wooden canoes, pottery, or traditional clothing. Japan is traditionally associated with samurai, and those interested can admire (unfortunately only from the outside) Miyara Dunchi, a samurai-style residence from 1819, and its beautiful garden.

The Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, which also includes the neighboring island, protects the rare blue corals of the Shiraho reef. It also includes Mount Omoto in the interior, the highest peak of the entire prefecture, which, along with the surrounding ridges covered with beautiful jungle, offers kilometers of hiking trails.

Tamatorizaki on the northeastern coast of the island offers an elevated observatory with stunning views of Cape Tamatori, the sea, and the coral reef beneath its surface.

The beautiful Kabira Bay is an ideal place for those who want to explore life beneath the sea surface: with a bit of luck, they can look forward to seeing majestic and elegant manta rays. One of the island's most beautiful beaches and the best for snorkeling is Yonehara, while the most beautiful sandy beach is the kilometer-long Sukuji.

Nature lovers should not miss a visit to the Hirakubo Peninsula in the northern part of the island: the banks of the Fukido River here are lined with beautiful mangrove forests, and a good way to explore them is by kayak. From the romantic lighthouse of the peninsula, there are also magnificent views. The Yonehara Palm Grove is crisscrossed with a network of walking paths lined with many types of palms, including the tall and native Yaeyama palm.

The Ishigaki Public Market sells local produce, fresh meat, or piperchi, a unique island spice. Those who want to take home a nice and typical souvenir can choose the unique and world-famous pottery of the Ishigaki-yaki studio.

Ishigaki cuisine is the result of cultural blending and is very different from the gastronomy of the main Japanese islands. Meat lovers, in particular, will enjoy dishes such as tonsoku, pig's feet, mimingu, boiled and thinly sliced pig's ears mixed with miso or peanut sauce, or rafute, soft-cooked pork belly.

Places Worth Seeing

Yaeyama Museum – Get a glimpse into the fascinating history and culture of the island and see wooden canoes or the traditional clothing of its inhabitants.

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park – Be captivated by the stunning nature of the coral reef beneath the sea surface and the beautiful rainforest in the interior.

Mount Omoto – Embark on a hiking trek through the mountainous landscape of central Ishigaki with the highest peaks of the entire province, covered with dense jungle.

Yonehara Palm Tree Groves – Walk in the shade of a beautiful grove with several types of palms, including the tall and native Yaeyama palm.

Hirakubo Peninsula – Visit the northeastern tip of the island with a romantic lighthouse and explore the mangrove forests of the Fukido River by kayak.

Tamatorizaki Observation Point – Be enchanted by the stunning views of the Hirakubo Peninsula and the crystal-clear sea with the coral reef.

Kabira Bay – In the beautiful bay, discover with a snorkel or tank on your back the vibrant life beneath the sea surface.