Ishigaki Island-Yonehara Campground
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
What is Yonehara Campground?
Kabira BayIt's a campground located about a 10-minute drive east of there.
Just west of the campground isYonehara BeachSo, the beach and the campground are connected along the coastline.
The campground is equipped with showers, restrooms, a kitchen area, and a parking lot. With its beautiful coastline, it’s the perfect spot for camping.
Eating a meal we all made together while looking out at the beautiful ocean is the ultimate luxury, isn't it? ♪
Directions to Yonehara Campground
The Maibara Campground is located about a 23-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport and about a 30-minute drive from the Remote Islands Terminal.
You can get there by car or bus.
・If you're coming by car
After leaving New Ishigaki Airport, exit National Route 390, turn left at the intersection, and continue on Prefectural Route 209. Then, turn onto Prefectural Route 87, turn left at the end of the road, and continue on Prefectural Route 79.
When you see the Maibara bus stop on your left, turn right at the next T-intersection, and you'll find the Maibara Beach parking lot.
From the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal, head north on Prefectural Road 87 and turn left at the end of the road.
Head west on Prefectural Road 79, and once you see the Maibara bus stop on your left, turn right at the T-intersection at Mikitsugi to arrive at your destination.
・If you're traveling by bus
From New Ishigaki Airport, take the Higashi Transport bus on the Maibara Campground route to Maibara Campground.
It takes about 65 minutes to get there.
From the Ishigaki Bus Terminal, take the Higashi Unyu Bus on the Maibara Campground route to Maibara Campground.
The trip takes about 60 minutes.
Things to Do at Yonehara Campground
This is the most famous and popular of the three campgrounds on Ishigaki Island.
Not only can you go camping, but you can also visit nearbyBlue CaveIt's also popular because you can go snorkeling there.
There are also other sites designated as natural monumentsYaeyama palm colony in Yoneharaand ... andArakawa FallsThese are some of the tourist attractions there.
Click here for related activities
Details on the Maibara Campground
Yonehara Campground is located in the north-central part of the island, halfway between Kabira Bay and Urasoko Bay.
To the south stands Mount Omoto, the highest peak in Okinawa.
Maibara Campground is adjacent to Maibara Beach, and there are coral colonies even in the shallow waters just off the shore.
For this reason, it is known as a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Although the water depth at Reef is 10 meters, it is very beautiful, and you can observe colorful tropical fish such as the red-spotted anthias and the violet-striped anthias, as well as table corals and branching corals.
If you're lucky, you might even see sea turtles or manta rays.
During the summer season, you can see migratory fish like bluefin tuna and skipjack tuna swimming around, and sometimes you might even spot a shark!
Don't worry—they won't attack you. If you have a pair of goggles, you can enjoy exploring underwater.
Tropical fish are used to people, and if you have food, they'll swarm around you.
During the winter season, strong north winds cause higher waves and faster currents, making reef currents more likely to occur. Therefore, you should never go in the water on days when sea conditions are rough or the weather is bad.
The Maibara Campground has six or seven cooking and restroom facilities located throughout the grounds, making it suitable for large groups.
In addition, the coastline is lined with dense forests of Japanese black pine, which serve as windbreaks, making it a good spot to set up a tent.
You can also rest in the shade, so it’s a great spot to take a break while playing in the ocean or setting up camp.
It’s the perfect spot for those looking to go on extended camping trips or enjoy a comfortable camping experience, and it’s such a popular destination that some people even live there and work in the camping industry.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near the Maibara Campground
Arakawa Falls
To reach Arakawa Falls, head south from the Maibara Campground along the Ishigaki Port–Irama Road. You’ll see a river flowing there; turn left at that point, and you’ll find Arakawa Falls.
Arakawa Falls is the only waterfall on the island, located on Mount Omoto, the highest peak in Okinawa Prefecture; the two falls—one upstream and one downstream—are collectively known as Arakawa Falls.
There is a Tarzan rope strung across the waterfall downstream, which has a drop of about 3–4 meters.
The pool at the base of the waterfall is nearly 3 to 4 meters deep, just like the drop itself, so you can jump in while holding onto the rope.
You can enjoy an incredibly exhilarating experience that makes you feel just like Tarzan.
The Blue Cave and Yonehara Beach are nearby, making this the perfect spot to take a break from the sea.
If you hike for about 10 minutes from the lower waterfall, you'll reach the upper waterfall.
There are as many as 300 Kanhi cherry trees growing wild in the surrounding area. Come enjoy the sight of these beautiful Kanhi cherry blossoms in full bloom while taking in the dynamic scenery of a 10-meter drop.
February and March are the peak blooming season, so be sure to plan a visit then.
Location: Beikkai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 25 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, 30 minutes from Ishigaki Port Terminal
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: None
Yonehara Beach
As mentioned above, Maibara Beach is the beach adjacent to the Maibara Campground.
Ishigaki Island is home to some of the richest coral reefs and tropical fish populations on the island. It’s a rare spot where, despite being a shallow beach, there’s an abundance of marine life.
Since you can enjoy snorkeling safely, be sure to give it a try when you visit the campground.
Since the reef becomes exposed and dangerous at low tide, be sure to visit at high tide.
Location: 644 Beikkai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 40 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport
Parking: Available (free of charge)
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Yaeyama palm colony in Yonehara
The Yaeyama palm grove in Maibara is a natural habitat for Yaeyama palms located at the foot of Mount Omoto, across the road from the Maibara Campground.
The Yaeyama palm is designated as a National Natural Monument and is a species of palm tree found exclusively on Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, which are part of the Yaeyama Islands.
It is home to the largest cluster of Yaeyama palms in the country and is an area of significant scientific value.
In addition to the Yaeyama palm, there are other subtropical plants growing here naturally, so be sure to enjoy exploring the flora.
During the winter sugarcane harvest season, you can enjoy freshly squeezed juice.
There’s also a museum dedicated to the Yaeyama palm, so be sure to check it out while you’re there.
Location: Beikkai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 25 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, 30 minutes from Ishigaki Port Terminal
Parking: Approx. 15 cars (free), paid parking available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Details on the Maibara Campground
| Location | Fukai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (View in MAP) |
| Access | A 10-minute drive from Kabira Bay |
| parking lot | 30 spaces / Free |
| toilet | ant |
| Business Hours | - |
Related columns are here↓.
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