Ishigaki and Yaeyama Sea Day Course

This is a one day plan circling Ishigaki Island, the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands. From the emerald green sea of Kabira Bay to the ferry hub for outlying islands, it is packed with tropical charm. The airport is close to the town, so you can get around efficiently by rental car.

Course Route

9:00 Start at the Ishigaki town ferry terminal The port where ferries leave for islands like Taketomi. Take a morning stroll or do some shopping nearby. People usually reach Ishigaki by plane from the main island (Naha), and it is about a 30 minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport to the town. 9:30 Stroll the Euglena Mall public market The largest arcade shopping street on Ishigaki. Island specialties and souvenirs are on display. 10:30 Drive to Tamatori Saki Observation Deck A popular deck on the east side with a view of the narrow neck of the island and the blue sea. It is roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive from town, and the hibiscus lined path is a highlight too. 12:00 Lunch in town or in the north Enjoy island flavors like Ishigaki beef and Yaeyama soba. 13:30 Sightsee at Kabira Bay (glass boat about 1,300 to 1,700 yen) A scenic spot rated three stars in the Michelin Green Guide. On a glass boat you can watch coral, tropical fish and, with luck, sea turtles without getting wet. A ride takes about 30 minutes. 15:30 Head to Ugan Saki Lighthouse A cape at the western tip of the island, known for cliffs, a white lighthouse and sunsets. 17:00 Return to town and finish At night, island food and awamori near the ferry terminal are a fine choice.

Highlights

Kabira Bay has fast currents so swimming is not allowed, but the gradation of white sand and blue sea is breathtaking. Peering underwater from a glass boat, you meet colorful coral and fish. From Tamatori Saki you can view the narrow neck of the island and both the East China Sea and the Pacific.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: The color of the sea shines in the strong summer sun. Kabira Bay looks its deepest blue around midday when the sun is high. During typhoon season from summer to autumn, watch for sudden weather changes.
• Avoiding crowds: The Kabira Bay parking lot and glass boat pier get busy in the early afternoon. Visiting in the morning, or aiming for the calmer evening hours, lets you relax.
• Time needed: The Kabira Bay glass boat takes about an hour round trip, and Tamatori Saki about 30 minutes. Circling the island is a full day including driving.
• Real nearby spots: Islands like Taketomi, Iriomote and Kohama are reachable as day trips by ferry from the terminal. Yonehara Beach and Hirakubo Saki Lighthouse are also popular.
• Budget sense: The glass boat is about 1,300 to 1,700 yen. Add the rental car, lunch, and ferry fares if you cross to other islands.

Access and Tips

Swimming is prohibited at Kabira Bay, so choose another beach if you want to swim. The island has few traffic lights and is easy to drive, but watch for animals crossing the road. If you extend to islands like Taketomi, using a morning ferry makes the schedule more efficient.

A Quick Tip

Ishigaki is even further south than the main island and the sun is strong, so a hat and sunscreen are essential. You can circle the island in a day, but if you combine it with island hopping, an overnight stay or longer lets you enjoy the Yaeyama sea more deeply.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Kabira Park car park (run by Ishigaki City): Car park 1 has 46 spaces for ordinary cars and 6 for large buses, and car park 2 has 32 spaces for ordinary cars. The fee is 200 yen for the first hour and 100 yen for each hour thereafter, and you can enter and leave 24 hours a day.
• Ishigaki City Public Market (inside Euglena Mall): Open 9:00-20:00 (varies by shop), closed on the second and fourth Sundays. About a 9-minute walk from Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal, or about 26 minutes by car (about 15 km) from New Ishigaki Airport.
• Parking for the public market: The market has no car park of its own, and the official guidance is to use the Ishigaki City Kuramoto car park (56 spaces for ordinary cars), about a 3-minute walk away. The fee is 200 yen for the first hour and 100 yen for each hour thereafter (revised on April 1, 2026), and it is open 24 hours.
• Euglena Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal: According to Ishigaki City's official guidance, the management office is staffed from 9:00 to 18:00, and from then until 9:00 the next morning the security office takes over. There are coin lockers in 6 locations inside the building.
• Inquiries: 0980-88-8634 (Ishigaki City Public Market / Ishigakijima Bussan Kosha Co., Ltd.)
• Official information: Ishigaki City Public Market official website / Ishigaki City Roads and Facilities Division "About the municipal car parks" / Ishigaki City Port Division "About the Euglena Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal"

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Times and prices are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.