Ishigaki
Discover Ishigaki
Ishigaki (石垣) is the second-largest and the most populated island of the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa, Japan. The whole island belongs to the City of Ishigaki, which also includes the deserted Senkaku islands. Ishigaki has 45,000 of Yaeyama's 50,000 people and is thus the political, economic and transport hub of the islands. Most of these live in central Ishigaki, known for lack of a better name in Japanese as shigaichi (市街地 "city streets"), chūshin (中心 "center") or just machi (町 "town"). The town's focal point is the rather sad 730 Monument (730交差点), where main roads Sanbashi-dōri (桟橋通り), running eastwards from the ferry terminal, and Shiyakusho-dōri (市役所通り), running north-south, meet.
What to Experience in Ishigaki
Famous Beaches
Taste of Ishigaki...
There are plenty of eating options in central Ishigaki, although many of the fancier places are open only for dinner. The stretch of Sanbashi-dori between the piers and the bus terminal has a good selection of reasonably priced Okinawan places, most of which offer affordable set lunches. Ishigaki's beef (石垣牛 Ishigaki-gyū) is meltingly smooth and well worth the splurge for meat lovers, although you'll generally be looking at around ¥5000 for something approximating a decent-sized steak. Sampling strips served as yakiniku or even raw sashimi is somewhat more affordable, but if the price seems too good, double-check that it's real Ishigaki beef, not a cheaper import. Ishigaki has a surprisingly vibrant nightlife, mostly centered around izakayas offering the ubiquitous local firewater awamori. Also be sure to sample the local Ishigakijima Beer (石垣島地ビール) microbrew, now available in "marine" (lager), "kuro" (dark) and three other versions. Misakichō Center-Dōri (美崎町センター通り) and nearby streets, just north and west of the 730 Crossing, have a range of izakayas, karaoke lounges and nightclubs of varying degrees of respectability. Outside the city, however, there is little to no nightlife of any kind and you'll be hard pressed to find even a restaurant open after 18:00.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsIshigaki Port (石垣港) is in the center of the city near the bus terminal. There are two parts: the central Ritō-sanbashi (離島さんばし), for services to nearby islands, and a second unnamed pier at the southeast corner of the port for long-distance services to Yonaguni and slow boats to Hateruma. The port information office is next to Ritō-sanbashi pier 1. There are no scheduled services to Taiwan, mainland Japan or islands outside the Yaeyama group. There are extensive services (daytime only) to the other islands in the Yaeyama group: Prices and times above are one-ways on fast ferries. Return fares are usually slightly cheaper. The schedules seem to now be unified, so that you can buy a ticket for any of the above routes from any company's desk for the same price, and round-trip tickets will be honored by all operators. The ticket desks in Ishigaki accept credit cards, but the ones on other islands generally do not....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Azuma Bus operates services throughout the island radiating from the bus terminal on Sanbashi-dōri, just across the street from the port. The most useful services connect to the airport (¥520) and Kabira (¥700). The best deal for transport on the island is the Michikusa Free Pass (みちくさフリーパス). It's not quite free, but ¥2,000 gets you unlimited trips around the island for 5 days. This isn't great if you're only getting a bus between the airport and the port (and are planning on spending your time visiting other islands or the beach), but given that a single trip from the airport to Kabira and back would cost you ¥2,440, if you're exploring Ishigaki (or are staying outside the city) this pays off pretty much instantly. There is also a "One-Day Free Pass" (1日フリーパス), which is just that, for ¥1,000. While service between the city center and the airport are quite frequent, the same is not true for the Kabira Resort Line.
Where to Stay
Ishigaki has a wide range of accommodation, ranging from expensive resorts for ¥10000+ to backpacker-oriented minshukus that can go as low as ¥3000 for your own room or ¥1000 for dormitory-type "guest house" accommodation. A number of largely identical highrise hotels have sprouted up around Ishigaki's harbor. This is hardly the most scenic area to stay, but it is undeniably convenient, both for day trips to the islands and for eating and shopping in the city center. There is free Wi-Fi access at the ferry terminal and in Euglena Mall, the covered arcade a few blocks away from the bus terminal. There is also free WiFi at the bus station, and a leaflet with the password is on the wall next to the ticket window. There's an internet cafe in Ayapani Mall, the arcade that's farther from the port. There is also free internet in the public library, though its only available from one terminal. Vanilla Deli, directly across from City Hall also has free internet for patrons.
Money & Budget
Souvenir shops abound, particularly around the port. The closest thing to a dedicated shopping area are the two streets of the covered Ayapani Mall (あやぱにモール) arcade just west of the post office. There are plenty of eating options in central Ishigaki, although many of the fancier places are open only for dinner. The stretch of Sanbashi-dori between the piers and the bus terminal has a good selection of reasonably priced Okinawan places, most of which offer affordable set lunches. Ishigaki's beef (石垣牛 Ishigaki-gyū) is meltingly smooth and well worth the splurge for meat lovers, although you'll generally be looking at around ¥5000 for something approximating a decent-sized steak.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Ishigaki
Kabira Bay in Ishigaki Island (Okinawa), Japan.
three boat on body of water
white and blue boat on sea during daytime
Blue sea, Ishigaki
石垣島の展望
white boat on sea during daytime
An afternoon spent on a solitary beach on Ishigaki, in the Okinawa prefecture.
Japanese Monkey in Ishigaki, Okinawa.
a couple sitting on a bench looking out at the ocean
a person standing on a beach
Kabira Bay in Ishigaki Island (Okinawa), Japan.
three boat on body of water
white and blue boat on sea during daytime