{"id":1166,"date":"2013-12-01T05:08:19","date_gmt":"2013-12-01T05:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/?page_id=1166"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:51:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:51:56","slug":"ishigaki-guide-tips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/things-to-do\/ishigaki-guide-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Ishigaki Island Travel Guide: Best Things to Do &#038; Insider Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_custom_heading]Ishigaki Island Travel Guide: Best Things to Do &amp; Insider Tips[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;660090&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a title=\"Ishigaki\" href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/destinations\/ishigaki-yaeyama-okinawa\/\">&lt; Back to Ishigaki Island general page with more photos<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4\" width=\"100%\" height=\"350\"><\/iframe> <small>View <a style=\"color: #0000ff; text-align: left;\" title=\"Ishigaki Island tips map\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Our Ishigaki Island Travel Guide Map<\/a> in a larger map<\/small><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"post-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Ishigaki_Island_of_the_Yaeyama_Islands_Okinawa_Japan\"><\/a>Ishigaki Island of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"112\" data-end=\"455\">A picturesque grazing land for Ishigaki Gyu (Ishigaki Island Wagyu beef) and a hub for the neighboring Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki Island (also called Ishigaki-jima) boasts pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, lush jungles, and winding mangrove rivers\u2014making it an ideal getaway for adventurous souls who don\u2019t want to forgo modern comforts.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"457\" data-end=\"823\">Situated near the Tropic of Cancer, the Yaeyama Islands lie farther south than Taipei and are closer to the northern Philippines than to Okinawa Main Island. For those who love both jungles and beaches, the Yaeyama group comes highly recommended. With one of the largest coral reef systems in Asia, these islands are also perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We&#8217;ve visited Ishigaki Island nearly 30 times over the last 20 years, and we created this travel guide based on our experiences. Our Ishigaki Island travel guide is meant for nature lovers who wish to explore Ishigaki on their own without taking a guided tour. We regularly update this travel guide but please <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">let us know<\/a> if you spot any error or any outdated information.<\/p>\n<h6 dir=\"ltr\"><em><strong>Note<\/strong>: Please read <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/about-islands-and-flights\/#General_island_tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a> to find out about the best beach of the day, off-the-beach snorkeling and learn about the ocean garbage problem.<\/em><\/h6>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Kabira_Bay_Lookout_Point_and_Beaches\"><\/a>Kabira Bay Lookout Point and Beaches<\/h3>\n<p>The Kabira Bay lookout point is a very touristy spot but a must-see place, even though it is prohibited to swim in this part of the bay (due to many tourist boats, strong current and mainly to protect the black pearls).\u00a0The view is better in the afternoon due to sun\u2019s reflection in the morning. It is also an excellent area for kayaking (required to launch your kayak away from the area where the tourist boats are docked).<\/p>\n<p>Walking north from the main tourist beach (when it\u2019s not high tide), you can access more of the beach and escape the crowds. There is also a path from the road to this less touristy part of the beach.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1343 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3387.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical paradise of Japan, Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island of Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3387.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3387-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3387-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67749 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03219.jpg\" alt=\"Kabira Bay northern beach, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03219.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03219-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03219-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03219-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Ura-Kabira_Kabira_Bay_Inner_Beaches\"><\/a>Ura-Kabira (Kabira Bay Inner Beaches)<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Not necessarily good for snorkeling (except for the areas around the rock islands for Nemo fish\/clownfish\/anemonefish), but they are certainly some of the most visually stunning beaches on Ishigaki, with sheltered calm tropical water and plenty of shaded spots under the trees. Due to the calmness of the water, this lagoon is a great place for packrafting\/kayaking\/SUPing. There are tasty wild coconuts growing on Kojima Island in the bay, which can quench your thirst if you are good at climbing trees.<br \/>\nIf you are not bringing your own packraft\/kayak\/SUP, we highly recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/kachibai.com\/sup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kachibai<\/a> for their SUP tours.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66396 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0786.jpg\" alt=\"Coral sandbank in tropical Japan, Ishigaki Island of Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-65666 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0180.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese tropical beach, Ishigaki Island of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0180.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0180-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0180-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0180-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1326 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0350-2.jpg\" alt=\"One of many deserted tropical beaches of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0350-2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0350-2-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0350-2-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1345 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03286.jpg\" alt=\"Kayaking around rock islands of Kabira Bay, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03286.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03286-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03286-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03286-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-65817 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00114.jpg\" alt=\"Kayaking in Japan's tropical lagoon, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00114.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00114-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00114-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67784 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wild_Coconuts_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island.jpg\" alt=\"Wild coconuts in Japan, Okinawa, Ishigaki Island\" width=\"1024\" height=\"639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wild_Coconuts_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wild_Coconuts_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island-410x256.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wild_Coconuts_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island-830x518.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wild_Coconuts_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island-350x218.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66397 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical lagoon in southern Japan, Ishigaki Island of Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66395 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Japan_tropical_beach_Ishigaki_Island.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical lagoon in southern Japan, Ishigaki Island of Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67782 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nemo_clownfish_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Snorkeling with Nemo (clownfish), Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nemo_clownfish_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nemo_clownfish_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nemo_clownfish_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-830x552.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Nemo_clownfish_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Fukido_Mangrove_River_Kayaking\"><\/a>Fukido Mangrove River Kayaking<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you are not going to <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/things-to-do\/iriomote-guide-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iriomote Island<\/a> but still want to experience the jungle by kayak, we&#8217;d recommend Fukido River. If you can&#8217;t bring your own packraft\/kayak\/SUP, the best tour is the &#8220;Mangrove kayaking &amp; waterfall stream-trekking&#8221; (6,000 yen) operated by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fruit-ishigakijima.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fukido Kanko<\/a>. The tour includes everything you need.<br \/>\nFor those who bring their own packraft, Ishigaki has more than a few beautiful mangrove rivers to explore, such as Hirakubo River, Miyara River, Todoroki River, Kara River, Toro River, etc (see <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our map<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66686 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_mangrove_kayaking.jpg\" alt=\"Mangrove kayaking on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"639\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-771 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_3768.jpg\" alt=\"Mangrove kayaking, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_3768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_3768-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_3768-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_3768-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_3768-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-765 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_1256.jpg\" alt=\"Mangrove jungle kayaking in Japan, Ishigaki-jima of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_1256.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_1256-410x231.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_1256-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_1256-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-760 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/loop-root-mangroves-of-japan-ishigaki-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Loop-root Mangroves of Japan, Ishigaki of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/loop-root-mangroves-of-japan-ishigaki-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/loop-root-mangroves-of-japan-ishigaki-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/loop-root-mangroves-of-japan-ishigaki-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67780 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03617-1.jpg\" alt=\"Mangrove packrafting in southern Japan, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03617-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03617-1-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03617-1-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03617-1-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The waterfall is also accessible on foot (see &#8220;Waterfall in upper stream of Fukido River&#8221; on our map).<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Note: <span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">Malaria <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">was <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">eliminated <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">in <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">the <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">Yaeyama <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">Islands <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">in <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">the <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">1970s. <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">However, <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">some <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">mosquitoes <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">still <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">carry <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">Japanese <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">encephalitis. <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">While <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">there <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">have <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">been <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">no <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">major <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">outbreaks <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">since <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">the <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">1960s\u2014<\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">and <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">today <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">only <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">about <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">1 <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">in <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">1,000 <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">infected <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">people <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">in <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">Japan <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">develop serious <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">symptoms\u2014<\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">it\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">still <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">wise <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">to <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">use <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">insect <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">repellent, <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">especially <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">if <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">your <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">group <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">includes <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">infants <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">or <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">elderly <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">travelers. <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">Most <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">Western <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">visitors <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">aren\u2019t <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">vaccinated, <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">so <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">it\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">better <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">to <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">be <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">on <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">the <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">safe <\/span><span class=\"BZ_Pyq_fadeIn\">side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1222 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/nameless-waterfall-of-fukidou-river-ishigaki-island-japan.jpg\" alt=\"Nameless waterfall of Fukidou river, Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/nameless-waterfall-of-fukidou-river-ishigaki-island-japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/nameless-waterfall-of-fukidou-river-ishigaki-island-japan-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/nameless-waterfall-of-fukidou-river-ishigaki-island-japan-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67746 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03948.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle waterfall of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03948.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03948-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03948-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03948-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Kabira_Ishizaki_Manta_Scramble\"><\/a>Kabira Ishizaki Manta Scramble<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Ishigaki boasts a very high chance of encountering giant manta rays while scuba diving at the point called Kabira Ishizaki Manta Scramble. There are also snorkeling tours to see manta rays but we must say that it&#8217;s often boring for snorkelers. The point does not have beautiful coral reefs and it&#8217;s too deep for snorkelers to enjoy (even if you can see manta rays, usually you see them small from the surface).<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Beautiful_Landscape_of_Northern_Ishigaki\"><\/a>Beautiful Landscape of Northern Ishigaki<\/h3>\n<h5>The northern tip of Ishigaki as seen from a plane (pick a seat on the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">right<\/span> side of the plane for this view when flying from Mainland Japan):<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1250 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/aerial-view-of-ishigaki-island-with-coral-reefs-and-tropical-water-of-southern-japan-okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Ishigaki Island with coral reefs and tropical water of Southern Japan, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Many secluded beaches and mountains covered with jungle in the west side of the Hirakubo area:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67744 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0859.jpg\" alt=\"Secluded beaches with jungle mountains, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Tamatorizaki Observatory:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1349 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0950-Pano.jpg\" alt=\"Typhoon waves hitting reefs of Ishigaki Island, Tropical Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0950-Pano.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0950-Pano-410x183.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0950-Pano-830x370.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Akaishi Paraglider Take-Off Site:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1304 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4865.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical Japanese island with fringing coral reefs, Ishigaki-jima\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4865.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4865-410x256.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4865-830x519.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Cape Hirakubozaki Lighthouse:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-775 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03720.jpg\" alt=\"Scenic lighthouse of Northern Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03720.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03720-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03720-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03720-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Northwestern Coast of Ishigaki, seen from Kabira Bay:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66156 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0519-Pano-2-Pano.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical landscape of Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Kabira Ishizaki and the fringing reef:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66398 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0228-Pano-2.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0228-Pano-2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0228-Pano-2-410x235.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0228-Pano-2-830x475.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Ibaruma and the fringing reef:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66897 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tropical_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical Japan, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tropical_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tropical_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-410x255.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tropical_Japan_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-830x517.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Ibaruma seen from the north (left) and Hirakubo (right):<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66823 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Island_Tropical_Japan_Okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Ishigaki Island, Tropical Japan, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Island_Tropical_Japan_Okinawa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Island_Tropical_Japan_Okinawa-410x255.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Island_Tropical_Japan_Okinawa-830x517.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Kabira Tabaga Beach:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66483 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kabira_Tabaga_Beach_Ishigaki_Japan.jpg\" alt=\"Kabira Tabaga Beach, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kabira_Tabaga_Beach_Ishigaki_Japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kabira_Tabaga_Beach_Ishigaki_Japan-410x255.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kabira_Tabaga_Beach_Ishigaki_Japan-830x517.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kabira_Tabaga_Beach_Ishigaki_Japan-350x218.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Find_your_own_secluded_beach_just_for_yourself\"><\/a>Find your own secluded beach just for yourself!<\/h3>\n<p>Ishigaki has more than 50 idyllic nameless small cove beaches, which are often deserted even during peak seasons. Some of them are easily accessible from the road side without having to use a packraft\/kayak\/SUP. Use Google Maps in satellite view and find your own secluded beach, keeping in mind the wind direction of the day. You can find some examples on <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our Ishigaki map<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67742 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0988.jpg\" alt=\"So many secluded beaches, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0988.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0988-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0988-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0988-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-65790 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199-Pano.jpg\" alt=\"Ishigaki Island coastline, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199-Pano.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199-Pano-410x232.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0199-Pano-830x469.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67752 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0985.jpg\" alt=\"Find your own secluded beach by packraft\/kayak\/SUP, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-65929 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03363.jpg\" alt=\"One of many secluded beaches of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03363.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03363-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03363-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03363-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-65792 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03389.jpg\" alt=\"One of many secluded tropical beaches on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, JapanOne of many secluded tropical beaches on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03389.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03389-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03389-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03389-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67966 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa_Japan.jpg\" alt=\"Secluded beach, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa_Japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa_Japan-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa_Japan-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa_Japan-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66911 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_tropical_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Secluded tropical beach, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_tropical_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_tropical_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-410x272.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_tropical_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-830x551.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Secluded_tropical_beach_Ishigaki_Island_Okinawa-350x232.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you are not bringing your own packraft with you to Ishigaki, but still want to check out secluded wild beaches that are not accessible by land, we highly recommend taking a trip by Sabani boat (traditional Okinawan sailing boat) with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cicadae-sailboat.com\/english\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yoshida Sabani<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/honoie.netlify.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hirakubo Sabani<\/a>. Every island in Okinawa Prefecture has its own unique feature of Sabani boat, and Yoshida Sabani builds the traditional Ishigaki style Sabani boats with locally sourced timber. Today there are only a handful of people who can build Sabani boats in the truly traditional way (without using any nails) in Okinawa Prefecture.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67528 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sabani-Boat-Ishigaki-Island-Okinawa-Japan.jpg\" alt=\"Sabani, traditional Okinawan boat, Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67529 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC06109.jpg\" alt=\"Sabani, traditional sailing boat in Okinawa, Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC06109.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC06109-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC06109-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC06109-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67740 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0427.jpg\" alt=\"Sabani, traditional sailboat of Okinawa, Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0427.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0427-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0427-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0427-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Yaeyama_Palm_Tree_Grove_and_Juice_Bar_with_Ishigakis_Tropical_Fruits\"><\/a>Yaeyama Palm Tree Grove and Juice Bar with Ishigaki&#8217;s Tropical Fruits<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Yaeyama palm trees (Satake palm) are endemic to Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island. They are beautiful palms which have been introduced to Hawaii and Southern Florida. This area is protected so you can only enter a small part of the mountain, but even this small boardwalk area is beautiful. There is a juice bar next to the parking area where you can enjoy various local tropical fruit juices such as mango, guava, pineapple, dragon fruit, passionfruit, shikwasa (Okinawa lime), etc., mixed with freshly squeezed (single-pressed) sugarcane. Our personal favourites are guava, Blend A (shikwasa + pineapple) and Blend B (mango + pineapple). We also recommend the simplicity and total deliciousness of fresh sugarcane juice which is full of vitamins and minerals. As opposed to many other countries, sugarcane are pressed only one time for its juice in southern Japan, which gives more flavor rather than just sweetness. There is Satake Palm Memorial Museum within a 5 minute walk from the juice bar. You can have a panoramic view of these Yaeyama palm trees and the outer reef of Yonehara from the rooftop of the museum.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1178 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1069.jpg\" alt=\"Forest of Satake Palm trees (Satakentia liukiuensis) on Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1069.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1069-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1069-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1221 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0937.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle of Satake palm trees in southern Japan, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0937.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0937-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0937-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_0937-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66682 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08528.jpg\" alt=\"Enjoying Ishigaki's local tropical fruit juice\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08528.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08528-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08528-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Off-the-Beach_Snorkeling\"><\/a>Off-the-Beach Snorkeling<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">With any off-the-beach snorkeling over fringing coral reefs, it&#8217;s important to snorkel around high tide in order to protect coral from breaking with fins, or stepping on coral accidentally. Also it can be dangerous as sharp coral can cut you. Please check Ishigaki&#8217;s tidal hours of the day <a href=\"https:\/\/translate.google.com\/translate?sl=ja&amp;tl=en&amp;js=y&amp;prev=_t&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.data.jma.go.jp%2Fkaiyou%2Fdb%2Ftide%2Fsuisan%2Fsuisan.php%3Fstn%3DIS&amp;edit-text=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">For easy off-the-beach snorkeling for families, we recommend dipping into the water from Yonehara Beach (especially at the <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC03487.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">southern end of the beach<\/a>). Even though Yonehara Beach is a touristy snorkeling spot suitable for families, snorkeling is actually not bad even for snorkeling enthusiasts, and you can see beautiful coral (often sea turtles as well) if you swim further to the reef edge. We recommend snorkeling off this beach within the 4 hours around high tide (up to 2 hours before high tide, and up to 2 hours after high tide), to prevent the temptation of walking on the reef and accidentally damaging coral without noticing, which sadly we see many people doing.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We also recommend snorkeling off Crystal Beach where you can see beautiful coral, many colorful tropical fish, sea snakes, etc., at our recommended spot but it takes about 10 minutes to swim from the beach to get to the spot (see the exact spot on <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our map<\/a>). There is a rip current when the tide is going down so you need to be very careful at this spot, especially for families with children. Unfortunately, the path to Crystal Beach was fenced off in 2025 after tourists repeatedly failed to close the boar gate. To reach Crystal Beach now, you\u2019ll need to walk from Tommy Beach at low tide, or access it by packraft\/kayak\/SUP from the water.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Akaishi Beach is great for blue coral just in front of the beach, often with no other people (see the exact spot on <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our map<\/a>). However, the beaches in this area have a lot of ocean garbage as very few people visit this area, and a lot of ocean garbage is washed ashore because of the current (there is very little volunteer clean up in this area). The road to Akaishi Beach is blocked with a gate, but the gate is just to keep the cows inside the grazing land so you can open the gate to enter. Just make sure to close the gate behind you!<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">There is a 99% chance that you can swim with sea turtles at the reef edge near the famous Blue Cave <span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">(see the exact spot on <\/span><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &#039;Segoe UI&#039;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &#039;Helvetica Neue&#039;, sans-serif;\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our map<\/a><span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">)<\/span>. However, this is not where active sea turtles feed on grass, but it is where they sleep between the rocks\/coral on the reef edge. If you can wait, you can see them coming up to the surface to breathe. You can also see many kinds of colorful tropical fish as well as some beautiful coral at this point. Due to the direct northerly aspect, it has to be on a still day or a day with a south wind. This reef edge gets too rough to snorkel with a north wind. Also you should aim for high tide as it gets too shallow to swim to and from the reef edge. We advise not to walk on the reef as coral get damaged, especially on the west side when reaching from Yadokari Beach. Many of Ishigaki&#8217;s popular Blue Cave tours also take their customers to this point to see sea turtles. However they all tend to stay on the east side of the reef where it&#8217;s safe to walk at low tide. If you don&#8217;t have your own snorkeling gear with you and snorkeling with sea turtles is a must for you, <span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">take <\/span><a style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &#039;Segoe UI&#039;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &#039;Helvetica Neue&#039;, sans-serif;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tomorlishigaki\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this tour<\/a><span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\"> which<\/span> gives you full refund if you cannot swim with them.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">In order to have good water clarity with calm water, it&#8217;s wise to choose the snorkeling spot according to the wind direction of the day. For example, when it&#8217;s a north\/west wind, Akaishi will have good clarity, while in case of a south\/east wind, Yonehara or our special snorkeling spot off Crystal Beach will have good clarity. In case of a south wind, the reef edge off the Blue Cave is highly recommended. In case of a northeast wind, we recommend Osaki Beach if you have long fins.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-title-wrapper\">\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Beautiful lush coral at our recommended spot off Crystal Beach:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-782 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5040154.jpg\" alt=\"Coral reef snorkeling around Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5040154.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5040154-410x308.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5040154-830x623.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/P5040154-350x263.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Crystal Beach and the snorkeling spot (the bottom right of the photo):<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66476 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0342.jpg\" alt=\"Crystal beach and snorkeling spot, Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0342.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0342-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0342-830x553.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0342-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Yonehara Beach and its fringing reef seen from above:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66399 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0761-Pano-2-Pano.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Off-the-beach snorkeling with sea turtles near the Blue Cave:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67525 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00961.jpg\" alt=\"Snorkeling with sea turtle, Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00961.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00961-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00961-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00961-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In case of a northeast wind, Osaki Beach is the most calm beach on Ishigaki as it&#8217;s completely protected from the wind. For this reason, it&#8217;s a popular spot for off-the-beach snorkeling and scuba diving during winter (when a northeast wind is common). Osaki Beach is also a good place for sunbathing during winter as it feels a lot warmer than other beaches on those winter days without the wind coming in.<br \/>\nWe wouldn&#8217;t recommend this one as a snorkeling beach for families with small children since the snorkeling points are around the reef edge, which is about 200m from the beach. Many experienced snorkelers and scuba divers walk from the beach to the reef edge at low tide and then jump into the water (there are no coral in the lagoon here, while in most other lagoons on Ishigaki it is best NOT to walk as any coral would be destroyed). A snorkeling tour by boat is recommended for this spot for families with small children.<br \/>\nIn case of a north or west wind, Tamatorizaki South Beach is a good option even though there isn&#8217;t much coral inside the lagoon but it&#8217;s usually deserted and very peaceful. You can also enjoy snorkeling over the coral reef, which is quite far for swimming but easily accessible by packraft\/kayak\/SUP. Best to aim for high tide and bring your own shade!<\/p>\n<h5>Drone&#8217;s eye view of Osaki Beach:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66678 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0163.jpg\" alt=\"Osaki Beach, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0163.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0163-410x231.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0163-830x467.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Tamatorizaki South Beach:<\/h5>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66895 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02996.jpg\" alt=\"Tamatorizaki South Beach, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02996.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02996-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02996-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Clam_Digging\"><\/a>Clam Digging<\/h3>\n<p>Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/translate.google.com\/translate?sl=ja&amp;tl=en&amp;js=y&amp;prev=_t&amp;hl=en&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.data.jma.go.jp%2Fkaiyou%2Fdb%2Ftide%2Fsuisan%2Fsuisan.php%3Fstn%3DIS&amp;edit-text=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tides<\/a>! If your visit coincides with a time when there is a low tide during the day around the time of a full moon, unfortunately it\u2019s difficult to do off-the-beach snorkeling as the water level will be extremely low (bad for the coral and bad for you if you insist on snorkeling off the beaches). However, such a condition is ideal for activities like clam digging. This is a great activity for families with small children. They are delicious for making a soup or stir frying with vegetables!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66688 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Clam_digging_Ishigaki.jpg\" alt=\"Clam digging on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"510\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Fishing_with_Kids\"><\/a>Fishing with Kids<\/h3>\n<p>Something we particularly love doing on cloudy days is fishing. We love throwing a line in from beaches, as well as from our packraft while paddling through mangrove rivers. With our out-of-control casting young daughter, we find that popper lures are best as they float on the water surface and don\u2019t get caught in coral or mangrove roots. With some exceptions, a lot of fish from these warm coral waters often lack in flavor, but it\u2019s a fun family activity. We always release the small ones so they have a chance to grow \u2014 so we can catch them next time!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67019 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC01500.jpg\" alt=\"Mangrove fishing with kids, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC01500.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC01500-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC01500-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC01500-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67020 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Fishing_with_Kids_Japan.jpg\" alt=\"Ishigaki family fishing with kids\" width=\"1024\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Fishing_with_Kids_Japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Fishing_with_Kids_Japan-410x153.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Fishing_with_Kids_Japan-830x310.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Fishing_with_Kids_Japan-350x131.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you want to do fishing with children from a boat which goes outside the coral reef, our recommendation is this <a href=\"https:\/\/55ishigaki.com\/fishing.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">half-day fishing tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67041 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Japan_fishing_Ishigaki_Okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Ishigaki fishing, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Japan_fishing_Ishigaki_Okinawa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Japan_fishing_Ishigaki_Okinawa-410x272.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Japan_fishing_Ishigaki_Okinawa-830x551.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Japan_fishing_Ishigaki_Okinawa-350x232.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Ibaruma_Sabichi_Cave\"><\/a>Ibaruma Sabichi Cave<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Particularly if it&#8217;s a rainy day or typhoon day, visit Ibaruma Sabichi Cave located in the north of Ishigaki. This cave is connected to some\u00a0secluded beaches which are also nice to explore.\u00a0There are several cave systems all over Ishigaki, however we thought this Ibaruma Sabichi Cave was much better than the LED-lit caves closer to the port.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1350 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1133.jpg\" alt=\"Sabichi limestone cave, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1133.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1133-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1133-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1133-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1351 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1150.jpg\" alt=\"One of many secluded beaches of Southern Japan, Ishigaki Island\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1150.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1150-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1150-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1150-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><a id=\"Stream-Trekking_to_the_Upper_Waterfall_of_Arakawa_Falls\"><\/a>Stream-Trekking to the Upper Waterfall of Arakawa Falls<\/h3>\n<p>If you are not going to <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/things-to-do\/iriomote-guide-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iriomote Island<\/a> but still want to experience the jungle by stream-trekking, we&#8217;d recommend the stream to the upper waterfall of Arakawa Falls. As you hike up this rugged stream, it becomes surrounded by beautiful tree ferns. There is a car park by the road. Check the description on our map for the entry point as it&#8217;s different from the lower waterfall of Arakawa Falls, which is popular among local kids. This stream-trek takes less than one hour to get to the upper waterfall. Stream-trekking shoes (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.jp\/dp\/B01IHK16C0?th=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">neoprene felt-sole wading boots<\/a>) are highly recommended since you need to go over slippery mossy boulders. It is also a very good stream to catch delicious freshwater prawns all year round!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1253 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/stream-hiking-in-jungle-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan.jpg\" alt=\"Stream hiking in jungle on Ishigaki Island of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/stream-hiking-in-jungle-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/stream-hiking-in-jungle-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/stream-hiking-in-jungle-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1254 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/jungle-stream-trekking-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle stream trekking on Ishigaki Island of the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/jungle-stream-trekking-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/jungle-stream-trekking-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/jungle-stream-trekking-on-ishigaki-island-of-the-yaeyama-islands-okinawa-japan-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66480 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08640.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle stream trekking, Ishigaki Island, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08640-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08640-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08640-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1342 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0536.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle waterfall on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0536-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0536-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0536-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0536-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66482 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_Jungle_River_Prawns.jpg\" alt=\"Freshwater prawns from jungle of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Explore_the_rivers_of_Ishigaki_on_your_own\"><\/a>Explore the rivers of Ishigaki on your own<\/h3>\n<p>Ishigaki has many beautiful mangrove and jungle rivers to explore for those who can bring their own packraft\/kayak\/SUP.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67055 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09123.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle kayaking, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09123.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09123-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09123-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09123-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67051 size-full\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00030.jpg\" alt=\"Mangrove packrafting, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00030.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00030-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00030-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00030-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-67049 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09481.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle packrafting, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09481.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09481-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09481-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC09481-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"sekisei-lagoon\"><a id=\"Snorkeling_Tours_to_Sekisei_Lagoon_Coral_Reefs_of_Northern_Ishigaki_and_Shiraho_Coral_Reef\"><\/a>Snorkeling Tours to Sekisei Lagoon, Coral Reefs of Northern Ishigaki and Shiraho Coral Reef<\/h3>\n<p>We recommend a half-day or whole-day snorkeling tour to Sekisei Lagoon. Some areas are still beautiful, but a lot of coral in the shallow areas got damaged by 2015-2016&#8217;s El Nino. Some have started to recover, but it will take time. For those who want to see pristine lush coral reefs, we highly recommend taking a snorkeling tour to the coral reefs off northern Ishigaki or the coral reefs around Hatoma Island. Our recommendations for off-the-boat snorkeling tours from Ishigaki are <a href=\"https:\/\/undoya.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Undoya<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ys-ds.com\/course\/snorkeling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yellow Submarine<\/a>. They run snorkeling tours to healthy lush coral reefs with a very good chance of seeing sea turtles or even manta rays, depending on the condition of the day.<br \/>\nShiraho Coral Reef (along the southeast coast of Ishigaki Island) is also highly recommended for snorkeling as it&#8217;s internationally acknowledged as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucnredlist.org\/species\/133193\/227494364#population\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the world\u2019s largest colony of Blue Coral<\/a>, and Shiraho Coral Reef alone has over 130 coral species (out of over 360 coral species seen around the Yaeyama Islands), according to WWF&#8217;s Shiraho Coral Reef Conservation Centre. Even though Shiraho Coral Reef is accessible from the beach with a bit of swimming, off-the-beach snorkeling is prohibited in order to protect coral, so you need to take a boat or paddle a packraft\/kayak\/SUP to the reef. We recommend a 1.5 hour snorkeling boat tour run by <a href=\"http:\/\/bluecoral73.okinawa\/?page_id=214\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Blue Coral<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1252 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Yaeyama_Islands_Okinawa_Japan.jpg\" alt=\"Sekisei Coral Lagoon, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Yaeyama_Islands_Okinawa_Japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Yaeyama_Islands_Okinawa_Japan-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Yaeyama_Islands_Okinawa_Japan-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1251 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/coral-cay-beach-and-clear-tropical-water-of-southern-japan-yaeyama-islands-okinawa.jpg\" alt=\"Coral cay beach and clear tropical water of Southern Japan, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66484 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Coral_Cay.jpg\" alt=\"Sekisei Lagoon Coral Cay, Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Coral_Cay.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Coral_Cay-410x255.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Sekisei_Lagoon_Coral_Cay-830x517.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Off-the-Boat_Snorkeling_in_the_Far_North\"><\/a>Off-the-Boat Snorkeling in the Far North<\/h3>\n<p>If you are staying in the far north and don\u2019t want to spend 40-60 mins driving to Shiraho or the main port for snorkeling tours by boat, we highly recommend the tours by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ys-ds.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yellow Submarine<\/a> who discovered the <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC00940.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">world\u2019s largest colony of cabbage coral<\/a> off the northern coast of Ishigaki. Their boat leaves from Funakoshi Port in the Ibaruma Bay.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67534 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Boat-snorkeling-Ishigaki-Island.jpg\" alt=\"Snorkeling tour by boat on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Boat-snorkeling-Ishigaki-Island.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Boat-snorkeling-Ishigaki-Island-410x255.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Boat-snorkeling-Ishigaki-Island-830x517.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Boat-snorkeling-Ishigaki-Island-350x218.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67536 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0355.jpg\" alt=\"Boat snorkeling tour, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0355.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0355-410x307.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0355-830x622.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0355-350x262.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Jungle_Night_Walk_with_Kids\"><\/a>Jungle Night Walk with Kids<\/h3>\n<p>For families with kids, hiring a guide for a jungle night walk in the northern part of Ishigaki is a fun and educational activity to watch coconut crabs, snakes, box turtles, scorpions, giant centipedes, tree lizards, flying foxes (fruit bats), owls, iguanas, etc. We highly recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/northernishigakislandnighttour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gentetsu-san<\/a> for your guide. He can also show you sea turtles laying eggs at night (between May and August).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67763 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coconut_crab_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island.jpg\" alt=\"Coconut crab in Japan, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coconut_crab_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coconut_crab_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island-410x463.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coconut_crab_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island-830x937.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coconut_crab_Japan_Okinawa_Ishigaki_Island-350x395.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67764 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_jungle_night_walk_Okinawa_Japan.jpg\" alt=\"Jungle night walk for kids, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_jungle_night_walk_Okinawa_Japan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_jungle_night_walk_Okinawa_Japan-410x153.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_jungle_night_walk_Okinawa_Japan-830x310.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ishigaki_jungle_night_walk_Okinawa_Japan-350x131.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Restaurants_and_Cafes\"><\/a>Restaurants and Cafes<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">There are more and more cute restaurants and cafes popping up all over Ishigaki.<br \/>\nSome of our favorites include (see the exact spots on <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our map<\/a>):<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Uliuli Cafe<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This cafe is located in the north. They serve a delicious 100% Ishigaki beef burger on their lunch menu. Closed on Thursdays and Fridays.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/uliuli.ti-da.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/uliuli.ti-da.net<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Nobare Cafe<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This cafe is located near Cape Noharazaki, and is run by farmers. It has a limited but reasonably priced and delicious menu, and has a beautiful tropical garden overlooking the Pacific side of Ishigaki. On a nice day, it is great to grab a shaded table and enjoy the view while having lunch or sweets.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66891 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02989.jpg\" alt=\"Nobare Cafe, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02989.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02989-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC02989-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Funakura no Sato<\/h5>\n<p>Traditional Okinawan restaurant located in a previously private residence, spread over different houses and rooms. The premise is absolutely beautiful. The food is decent traditional Okinawan dishes best to share, and there is a Sanshin (Okinawan guitar) performance which is a lot of fun. Even though it&#8217;s a bit touristy, it&#8217;s a great place to experience the island culture. It&#8217;s essential to make a reservation.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.funakuranosato.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.funakuranosato.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1344 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_6509-Pano.jpg\" alt=\"Funakura no Sato restaurant, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"501\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">High Tide Cafe<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This cafe is located in a residential area in-between Kabira Bay and Ishigaki Port. Delicious and beautifully prepared food, using only local ingredients. The coffee &amp; sweets set is delicious and great value. This cafe features the illustrations of Murakami Yasunari and has a museum of his work.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Vietnamese Restaurant Ishigaki Shoten<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Delicious Vietnamese food with a local touch, located near the Kabira area. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere. Takaway is also possible. Currently only for lunch (11:00-16:00).<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Kabira Gohanya (\u3054\u98ef\u5c4b)<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">A great little lunch spot for both eat-in and take-away. Their Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese braised pork rice bowl) is especially popular.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Arioru Cafe<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Cafe\/bar\/restaurant open from 9:00-22:00. It&#8217;s very handy for those who are renting a cottage in the Nosoko area and want to have a break from cooking or want to go out for drinks. They also run a guesthouse and Sabani (traditional sailing boat) tours.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/arioru.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">https:\/\/arioru.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Akaishi Shokudo<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">No-frills place serving one of the best, authentic Soki Soba dishes on Ishigaki.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Mirumiru Honpo<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Located a short drive north\/west of the port, in the middle of a field, this flagship gelato shop boasts gelato made with local produce such as mango, pineapple, banana, dragonfruit, shikuwasa lime, purple sweet potato.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/mirumiru-honpo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/mirumiru-honpo.com<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Kanan<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Located in the center of the island, Kanan is a great lunch place with traditional local dishes. It&#8217;s also popular amongst local islanders.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Dining Hanabusa (\u30c0\u30a4\u30cb\u30f3\u30b0\u82f1)<\/h5>\n<p>Located in the Shiraho area near the airport, Dining Hanabusa is a friendly local restaurant run by a sweet family, using local ingredients (including beef and pork) from Ishigaki.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Tofu Higa<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Located near the port, this is a very popular place for a traditional breakfast with freshly made Okinawan-style tofu. It gets quite busy even early in the morning during peak seasons, and all the dishes tend to get sold out before noon.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Papaya (the best tropical fruit juice stand by the Yaeyama palm tree grove in Yonehara)<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Ok, it&#8217;s not a &#8220;cafe&#8221; or &#8220;restaurant&#8221; but it is worth a mention to get the best juices on the island! Enjoy various local tropical fruit juices such as mango, guava, pineapple, dragon fruit, passionfruit, shikwasa, etc. Our personal favourites are guava, Blend A (shikwasa + pineapple) and Blend B (mango + pineapple). We also recommend the simplicity and total deliciousness of fresh sugarcane juice (pressed only once) which is full of vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n<h5>Yaimamura (inside Ishigaki Airport)<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Despite being a food court style restaurant at the airport, the Soki soba (Okinawan noodle soup with pork ribs) of Yaimamura is highly regarded as one of the best on the island. We never miss a meal of Yaimamura Soki soba before leaving the island!<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Kato Soba<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Delicious home-made Okinawan-style soba restaurant, famous for their soba with \u201cIshigaki Kuruma Ebi\u201d (Japanese tiger prawns from Ishigaki Island). Their Soki soba (pork ribs) is also utterly delicious. It&#8217;s not always open but you can see on the sign from the main road if they are open or not.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1354 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1716.jpg\" alt=\"Okinawa soba noodle with Japanese tiger prawn, Ishigaki Island\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1716.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1716-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1716-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1716-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC1716-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Farmers_Markets_and_Grocery_Shops\"><\/a>Farmers Markets and Grocery Shops<\/h3>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Yuratiku Market (JA Farmers Market Yaeyama)<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This is our favorite place to shop on Ishigaki! This is the largest farmers\u2019 market on Ishigaki Island, located a few hundred meters from Ishigaki Port. We love this place and this is where we do our grocery shopping as well as souvenir shopping! The fruit and vegetables here are so much more tasty than those in the supermarkets (also so much cheaper than supermarkets, and still we get to support the local farmers directly!). There are also many different kinds of pre-made food\/sweets suitable for souvenirs. We highly recommend stopping by here!<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Shiraho Sunday Market<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Shiraho Sunday Market is located within the &#8220;WWF Japan Coral Reef Conservation and Research Center&#8221; at the coral village of Sangomura, about 25 minutes drive west of Ishigaki Port. Seasonal fresh produce and traditional prepared food such as food wrapped in banana leaves.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">&#8220;Mujin Hanbai&#8221; &#8211; Honesty Produce Shops<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We love these unmanned road-side stalls &#8211; you never know what you&#8217;re going to find available! You can get very fresh vegetables and fruits directly from farmers for a very low price. Just drop the designated amount in the money jar and you&#8217;re set to go.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67777 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC04209.jpg\" alt=\"Unmanned roadside pineapple shop in Japan, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC04209.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC04209-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC04209-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC04209-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Itokazu Shoten (\u7cf8\u6570\u5546\u5e97)<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We love this little general store in the north! If you are staying in the northern area and want to grab some ice cold beers and a delicious bento lunch (although not always available) to have on the beach, we recommend this shop. They sometimes sell freshly harvested homegrown produce such as seasonal tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as fresh mozuku seaweed. We love their homegrown native peppers (pipachi) as well as their homemade spicy miso paste mixed with homegrown herbs and spices. It is handy for those who are staying in the north and don\u2019t have time to go to the farmers\u2019 market in the city (although the varieties and amount of their fresh produce in this little shop can be limited depending on the day).<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">San-A Ishigaki City<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This is our go-to supermarket and it is generally preferred by locals over MaxValu. They have more local produce and a better wine\/liquor selection than MaxValu. Their house-made bento and sozai (pre-cooked dishes) are better as well.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Car_Rental\"><\/a>Car Rental<\/h3>\n<p>Renting a car is absolutely essential on Ishigaki Island. You can rent a small car just for a few thousand yen per day including insurance (can be as little as JPY1,500 per day) through <a href=\"https:\/\/rental.timescar.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Times Car Rental<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tabirai.net\/car\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tabirai<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/car.orix.co.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ORIX Rent-A-Car<\/a> or the <a href=\"http:\/\/cars.travel.rakuten.co.jp\/cars\/rcf010a.do?tid=1&amp;type=0&amp;display=1&amp;sort=0&amp;num=50&amp;numec=3&amp;startindex=1&amp;gdatey=2016&amp;gdatem=07&amp;gdated=06&amp;gtimeh=10&amp;gtimem=00&amp;gmarea=okinawa&amp;gsarea=ritou&amp;gdarea=&amp;bdatey=2016&amp;bdatem=07&amp;bdated=07&amp;btimeh=17&amp;btimem=00&amp;goflg=0&amp;bmarea=okinawa&amp;bsarea=ritou&amp;bdarea=&amp;bairport=&amp;smoke=0&amp;atmt=1&amp;haisya=0&amp;nccampaign=0&amp;pretype=&amp;sortCar=0&amp;sortBranch=3&amp;startindexCar=1&amp;startindexBranch=1&amp;numCar=50&amp;numBranch=30&amp;rbt=1&amp;rbt=2&amp;searchid=1&amp;searchid=2&amp;searchid=3&amp;searchid=4&amp;searchid=6&amp;searchid=7&amp;initdate=3&amp;rcid=1&amp;rcid=10&amp;rcid=11&amp;rcid=12&amp;rcid=13&amp;rcid=14&amp;rcid=15&amp;rcid=2&amp;rcid=3&amp;rcid=4&amp;rcid=5&amp;rcid=6&amp;rcid=7&amp;rcid=8&amp;rcid=9&amp;capacity=0&amp;pricelow=0&amp;pricehigh=0&amp;fmap=0&amp;bcid=6142\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Japanese version of Rakuten Travel<\/a>. Unfortunately, the price can be often even double on most English booking websites. Best to ask someone who can read Japanese to book. You will need an <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/about-islands-and-flights\/#Car_hire_in_Japan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International Drivers License or JAF translation<\/a>.<br \/>\nWhen driving in the northern part of the island, please take care to be on the lookout for wildlife. There can be creatures crossing the road, such as box turtles, boars, coconut crabs, rail birds, snakes, etc.<br \/>\nThe car ferry in-between the Yaeyama Islands is no longer operating everyday. Currently they operate just 2-3 times a week. Most car rental shops don&#8217;t allow cars on a car ferry for many reasons such as insurance and sudden weather changes (car ferries are prone to more cancellations because of bad weather as they cannot run inside the lagoons).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-66481 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08941.jpg\" alt=\"Yaeyama Box Turtle, Ishigaki, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08941.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08941-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC08941-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a id=\"Accommodation_-_Where_to_Stay_on_Ishigaki\"><\/a>Accommodation &#8211; Where to Stay on Ishigaki<\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Ishigaki has more and more nice and reasonably-priced places to stay in the beautiful areas of the island, great for nature-lovers. Below are some of our recommendations.<\/p>\n<h5>Kabira Village<\/h5>\n<p>Thatched roof stand-alone villas next to Sukuji Beach. Although some features have become a little dated, these spacious cottages each have an inviting outdoor jacuzzi on the balcony, surrounded by beautiful, tropical vegetation. This place is great for families (although there is no kitchen). It is next to the main \u201cSeaside Hotel\u201d where you can have breakfast or dinner, and enjoy the facilities of the hotel, including the swimming pool. We also recommend the main building of Seaside Hotel for those who want both the convenience of a resort hotel and a nature setting. Every room has an ocean view facing Sukuji Beach.<br \/>\nIf you book early you can get a great deal (excluding Japanese holiday periods) via the Japanese version of <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.rakuten.co.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">Rakuten Travel<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jalan.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">Jalan<\/a>.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ishigaki-seasidehotel.com\/stay\/kabira.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.ishigaki-seasidehotel.com\/stay\/kabira.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1356 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3720.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful cottage hotel of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Tropical Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3720.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3720-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC3720-830x554.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1355 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_6414-Pano.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional cottage hotel, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_6414-Pano.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_6414-Pano-410x231.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/MG_6414-Pano-830x467.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Aloalo Beach Kabira<\/h5>\n<p>One of the only accommodation on Ishigaki located directly on the beach. There are just 4 basic cottages, all facing the beach. They also run a cafe (lunch) with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as tours such as diving\/snorkeling by boat, and kayak\/SUP tours. They offer free rental of snorkeling gear for guests. There are also some decent snorkeling spots out the front (see the point on <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=1SBV0cEFEvPNyHVOU-nnORHKcXC4&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our map<\/a>) with a good amount of thriving coral, despite climate change.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/xn--aloalobeach-7e8ud3d.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">https:\/\/xn--aloalobeach-7e8ud3d.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67222 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC06062.jpg\" alt=\"Aloalo Beach Kabira, rental cottages by the beach, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>YOISAMA Sunset Beach House<\/h5>\n<p>A great large rental house for 2-3 families run by a very kind local islander. It&#8217;s located in the far north without any restaurants around for dinner so it&#8217;s suitable for those who like to cook every night (the closest supermarket is nearly 1 hour drive away so you will need to be well organized).<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/shimayoi2.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/shimayoi2.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-67546 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_0922.jpg\" alt=\"YOISAMA Sunset Beach House, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Yokabushi (formerly Hermitage)<\/h5>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A lovely boutique hotel set beside Tamatorizaki South Beach, with a beautiful central pool. There are self-contained 2nd floor apartments with big rooms and proper kitchens in the main building and stand-alone Okinawan-style cottages with kitchenettes. It&#8217;s modern, clean, and the service is outstanding. Although they offer a BBQ style dinner package, there are no other dining options in the area. Self-catering is possible.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/yokabushi.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/yokabushi.jp\/<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4799.jpg\" alt=\"Boutique hotel with pool, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4799.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4799-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4799-830x554.jpg 830w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4799-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC4799-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>Maaru (\u68f2\u5bb6\u307e~\u308b)<\/h5>\n<p>A down-to-earth guesthouse with self-contained small apartments, great for families. It\u2019s just a one-minute walk to the <a href=\"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-content\/uploads\/DJI_20260223154210_0148_D.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beautiful private beach<\/a>, where you can enjoy the sunset. This part of the island is one of the few areas where ocean debris from the Pacific rarely washes ashore, so it remains pristine even without regular volunteer cleanups\u2014unless a typhoon hits. The owner (Japanese-speaking only) is very friendly, often inviting her guests to join her in the evening for a drink.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/xn--bbk0a00ak27l82n.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/xn--bbk0a00ak27l82n.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5>&#8220;NICE!&#8221; \/ Four-bedroom Villa<\/h5>\n<p>If you are ok with no direct access to nature, &#8220;Nice house&#8221; has a wonderful north-facing ocean view, overlooking the coral reef and is a very comfortable stay, especially for two families. It has 2 floors, with 4 bedrooms and a spacious and modern living room, small terrace, as well as downstairs playroom complete with table tennis table. Although there is no direct access to nature (Crystal Beach is about a 10-minute walk), it&#8217;s in a very convenient area, with a quick drive to many nature attractions while being close to some restaurants and shops.<\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Umisuzume<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">A simple, clean and homely guesthouse (shared bathroom) located on the north-west side of Ishigaki, just a few minutes walk to the beach. Umisuzume offers breakfast and dinner packages using local ingredients for a reasonable price. They offer free rental for snorkeling gear, parasol, water shoes, life vests, beach sand toys and floats for kids and cooler bags.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umisuzume-ishigaki.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/umisuzume-ishigaki.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">LOGASIS Ishigaki Nosoko Villa<\/h5>\n<p>Log cabin rentals in the Nosoko area, one of our favorite areas to stay, as it serves as a great base for exploring the national park area. A short walk to secluded beaches.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/logasis.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/logasis.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Yamabare House<\/h5>\n<p>A simple, clean and budget hotel and cafe, located near a beach. Each room has a private bathroom. Snorkeling gear rental is available for a small fee.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/travel.rakuten.co.jp\/HOTEL\/142568\/142568.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/travel.rakuten.co.jp\/HOTEL\/142568\/142568.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h5>Alaise De Bale<\/h5>\n<p>A nice boutique hotel with a pool located in front of a beach, and run by very kind staff. All the rooms are spacious.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.baleishigaki.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/www.baleishigaki.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\"><strong>La Terrasse Kookai<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">A cozy and popular rental cottage with direct access to a secluded beach.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lelotusbleu.asia\/la-terrasse-kookai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">https:\/\/www.lelotusbleu.asia\/la-terrasse-kookai<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 dir=\"ltr\">Jusandi<\/h5>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Ishigaki&#8217;s best luxury boutique hotel.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jusandi.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">https:\/\/www.jusandi.jp\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5>Beach Side House Alohana<\/h5>\n<p>A cozy rental cottage with direct access to a secluded beach in the beautiful Nosoko area.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/en.ishigakialohana.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">https:\/\/en.ishigakialohana.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5>Tingara<\/h5>\n<p>A cozy and friendly B&amp;B style hotel, with dinner packages available. Tingara is located in the Ibaruma area (northern part of the island).<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tin-gara.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-schema-attribute=\"\">https:\/\/www.tin-gara.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h5>Hills Yamabare<\/h5>\n<p>A small but cozy rental house in front of the sea in the Yamabare area. It has a nice terrace overlooking the water.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/hillsyamabare.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.tin-gara.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-title-wrapper\">\n<h3><a id=\"Weather_-_When_to_Visit_Ishigaki\"><\/a>Weather &#8211; When to Visit Ishigaki<\/h3>\n<p>Located at the same latitude as The Bahamas, Ishigaki Island has a Tropical Rainforest climate as opposed to Humid Subtropical climate of Okinawa Main Island and the other northern islands of Okinawa Prefecture. The average yearly high temperature is 27.2\u00b0C (81\u00b0F), and the average yearly low temperature is 22.4\u00b0C (72.3\u00b0F), making the mean annual temperature of 24.5\u00b0C (76\u00b0F) which is the same as Oahu of the Hawaiian Islands. The climate is similar to Southern Taiwan, warmer than Hong Kong and Northern Taiwan due to the warm ocean current around Ishigaki. The annual average humidity exceeds 75%, which makes the feeling temperature very different from dry places with the same mean annual temperature such as Townsville in Queensland, Australia. The sea temperature is warm all around the year, ranging between 22\u00b0C (72\u00b0F) and 31\u00b0C (88\u00b0F). The rainy season on Ishigaki is usually between mid May and mid June (it can be early\/late by up to 10 days depending on the year) but it rarely rains all day. Often it&#8217;s just a quick downpour in-between blue sky (except for the very first couple of days of the rainy season, which tend to be grey all day especially around the mountains\/jungles). Ishigaki has over 1.5 times more sunshine hours than Okinawa Main Island and its surrounding islands during the rainy season. The core season for typhoons\/tropical storms is August-September but some years have very few typhoons\/tropical storms while other years have many typhoons\/tropical storms even as early as May or as late as November. However, at least one typhoon\/tropical storm hits Ishigaki during August or September every year. Usually a typhoon\/tropical storm affects the weather only for a few days and you get beautiful clear blue sky as soon as the typhoon passes away. It&#8217;s impossible to predict the typhoon even at a closer date as the typhoon path can totally change even just a few days before the initially predicted landfall time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: Unfortunately all international weather forecasts for Ishigaki are inaccurate (including weather histories), such as all the default weather apps on smartphones including iPhone, Accuweather, Windy, etc. They are almost always a few Celsius degrees lower than the actual temperatures measured on Ishigaki (especially during winter), and often the forecast can be completely wrong since they don&#8217;t have access to the proprietary data from both Ishigaki weather station owned by JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) and JMA&#8217;s supercomputers.<br \/>\nWe recommend this weather forecast using the JMA&#8217;s proprietary data (It&#8217;s in Japanese with Celsius but it&#8217;s straightforward).<br \/>\n<em>Ishigaki weather forecast<\/em>:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/forecast.weathermap.jp\/?point=A94081#week10_box\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/forecast.weathermap.jp\/?point=A94081#week10_box<\/a><br \/>\n(Accuracy of the forecast is shown as A,B,C,D,E. A is the highest accuracy while E is the lowest).<br \/>\nThe weather on any southern Japanese island, however, is so unpredictable that weekly weather forecasts (even two days ahead) should really be used as a guide only. The conditions can also be very different even on the same island between north and south or mountains and coastal areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][vc_line_chart type=&#8221;line&#8221; style=&#8221;modern&#8221; x_values=&#8221;JAN; FEB; MAR; APR; MAY; JUN; JUL; AUG; SEP; OCT; NOV; DEC&#8221; values=&#8221;%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Average%20high%20temperature%20%C2%B0C%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2221.5%3B%2022.0%3B%2023.7%3B%2026.0%3B%2028.7%3B%2030.9%3B%2032.2%3B%2032.0%3B%2031.0%3B%2028.8%3B%2026.2%3B%2023.0%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22pink%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Average%20low%20temperature%20%C2%B0C%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2216.7%3B%2017.2%3B%2018.6%3B%2021.3%3B%2023.9%3B%2026.6%3B%2027.7%3B%2027.3%3B%2026.0%3B%2023.9%3B%2021.5%3B%2018.4%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22peacoc%22%7D%5D&#8221; animation=&#8221;easeOutElastic&#8221; title=&#8221;Average temperatures of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan (1991-2020, Japan Meteorological Agency)&#8221;][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_custom_heading]Ishigaki Island Travel Guide: Best Things to Do &amp; Insider Tips[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;660090&#8243;] &lt; Back to Ishigaki Island general page [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":66156,"parent":1265,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1166","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1166"}],"version-history":[{"count":159,"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68034,"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1166\/revisions\/68034"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ippei-janine.com\/travel-japan-islands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}