Travel to Ishigaki Island with children! Introducing points to note and sightseeing spots!
Table of Contents
Ishigaki Island is a popular travel destination and is often chosen by people with children. Many parents want to show their children the nature that even children can safely enjoy and that they cannot usually touch. Many tours are also available for children to enjoy.
Ishigaki Island offers many experiences that you cannot experience in everyday life. Many people would like to show their children the limestone caves, mangroves, waterfalls, caves, and so on. Here, we will introduce some points to keep in mind when visiting Ishigaki Island with children, recommended sightseeing spots, and tours.
Things to keep in mind when traveling with children on Ishigaki Island
Here are some things to keep in mind when taking your children to Ishigaki Island.
The weather is changeable.
The weather on Ishigaki Island is changeable with sudden rain showers, so please be careful especially with children. It is recommended to bring a change of clothes and a raincoat. Also, the sun is strong, so be sure to bring sunscreen and lightweight long-sleeved clothing.
Watch out for typhoons
When making travel reservations, be sure to check the typhoon situation. Also, ask your travel agent to check with the travel agency if there are no flights or boats available due to the typhoon, and if so, ask for a place to stay extra nights or take a different flight.
Know hospital information.
Sudden illness is a particular concern when traveling. Since you will be in an environment that is suddenly different from the one you are used to, you may fall ill. If you are coming on a tour, please check with the travel agency in advance as they often have a contact person.
Sightseeing spots recommended for families with children
Shiraho Coast
This beach is famous for having one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Even if you do not dive in, you can see blue corals near the surface of the water and enjoy snorkeling in the shallows. Even if you don't get in the water, you can enjoy the coral and other beautiful scenery.
⇒Shiraho CoastFor more information on
Related columns are here↓.
Bangna Park
Children need a large, safe place to play. We therefore recommend Banna Park, a large park on Mt. With palm trees and other tropical trees as well as an observatory from which you can see the ocean, even adults can fully enjoy themselves.
It is only a 10-minute drive from the city center, and its convenient location is also good for children.
⇒Bangna ParkFor more information on
Ishigaki Yaima Village
Visitors can experience Ryukyuan culture such as making sata-andagi, coloring shisa, wearing Ryukyuan costumes, and comparing mangroves, which is also safe for children. Admission is reasonably priced at 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children up to elementary school age.
⇒Ishigaki Yaima VillageFor more information on
Maesato Beach
This beach is available from March to October on the warm Ishigaki Island. The beach is located in front of ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort, and not only is there a watchman, but also children can use the showers and toilets of the hotel. There is also a service to rent floats and parasols for children.
⇒Maezato BeachFor more information on
Ishigakijima limestone cave
Source:4travel
Ishigakijima limestone cave is conveniently located 10 minutes by car from the city center, making it easy to bring your children. Inside the cave, you can enjoy the fossils such as giant clam and coral as well as the scenery that you can't see normally. It will be a good experience for your children.
⇒Ishigakijima limestone caveFor more information on
Kabira Bay
It is the only place in Okinawa with clean water that has been awarded three stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japon because of the clarity of the water. It is also famous for the cultivation of black-lipped pearl oysters, which can only grow in clean water. Unfortunately, the strong currents make swimming impossible, but you can enjoy the coral and sea life from a glass boat.
The trip takes only 30 minutes, and children will not get bored. Other kayaking and SUP in Kabira Bay are also safe and enjoyable even for small children.
For more information about Kabira Bay, click here↓.
SUP at Kabira Bay is here↓.
Kayaking in Kabira Bay is here↓.
Tours for children
While it is possible to visit the above destinations on your own, you can enjoy them with peace of mind by going on a tour. They can tell you about the local conditions and provide assistance when playing in the ocean, etc. Many tours also provide hotel accommodations for children. There are also many tours that arrange hotels that are safe for children.
Here are some of the tours we recommend.
Blue Cave Experience and Snorkeling
The tours are mainly 2 hours in length and can be enjoyed by even the youngest children. Children who cannot swim can still enjoy snorkeling by simply floating in the water. You can also enjoy the sunset with the afternoon plan. Canoeing and SUP are also popular activities around the Blue Cave.
Click here for related activities
Snorkeling tours to see sea turtles and
On the main island of Okinawa, you can swim with sea turtles and clownfish, which can only be seen in the aquarium tank at Churaumi Aquarium. It is said that Ishigaki Island is the only place in the waters around Japan where this is possible.
Click here for related activities
Unlimited Marine Sports Plan
When parents and children come to Okinawa, not only to Ishigaki Island but also to other places in Japan, playing in the ocean is probably the most popular thing to do. However, just swimming is fine, but if you want to try marine sports, you will need to have an instructor to teach you and provide you with equipment. Therefore, by signing up for a tour, you can enjoy activities such as banana boats, jet skis, and many other marine sports that even small children can enjoy.
Marine sports are also varied, and you can choose from snorkeling, flyboarding, and even fishing that your child is interested in, even if only a little.
Click here for related activities
Canoeing, trekking
Ishigaki Island is rich in nature, and by trekking and canoeing, you can feel close to the nature. However, it is uneasy to go to unfamiliar places with children. Therefore, by signing up for a tour, you can enjoy canoeing and trekking with your children without worries because skilled staffs will give you advice.
The staff will not only explain how to canoe and trek, but also the goodness of Ishigaki Island and its mangroves. Children can increase their knowledge by explaining about creatures they don't know about.
Trekking destinations include caves and waterfalls, where you can not only enjoy the great outdoors but also have a sense of adventure, such as swimming in a waterfall basin.
Click here for related activities
Tours combined with other islands
There are also tours to Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island from Ishigaki Island. If you stay in Ishigaki Island for a long time, you can visit other islands.
Ishigaki Island is an island rich in nature, and there are many places such as mangroves and caves that cannot be seen in everyday life. Many parents may want to show their children as much of the great outdoors as possible. However, even if it is difficult for beginners to do marine sports and trekking, they can experience them in peace by signing up for a tour and doing them with skilled people.
Related columns are here↓.
summary
With a tour, you can enjoy yourself with your children without worrying about transportation.
In addition to single tours such as trekking, there are also tours that include everything from hotels to flights. If you are a first time visitor to Ishigaki Island, signing up for a tour that includes flight, hotel, and activities will give you peace of mind in case your flight is cancelled or you get sick.
All the fun of Ishigaki Island is here↓.
Ishigaki Island Tours
