Introducing a model course for two days and one night on Ishigaki Island!
Table of Contents
Hello everyone!
Ishigaki Island is the largest resort island in Japan. If it is your first visit to the island, you may not know in which order to visit tourist spots or enjoy activities in order to enjoy the island efficiently. Of course, it is best to visit the places you like, but you really don't want to waste your time since you are on a trip.
Therefore, this article introduces a two day and one night model course on Ishigaki Island.
A two day and one night plan for those who are not physically fit
Day 1
14:20
Arrival at Shin-Ishigaki Airport
The first flight leaves at 6:20 a.m., but we have plenty of time to catch the 11:25 a.m. flight from Haneda Airport to Ishigaki Island, arriving at 14:20 p.m. Pick up the rental car at Shin-Ishigaki Airport. We will head to Shiraho Beach, which is the closest beach from Shin-Ishigaki Airport.
14:40
Arrival at Shiraho Beach
With more than 70 species of coral and an abundance of tropical fish, Shiraho Beach is home to the largest blue coral colony in the northern hemisphere. Since there is no room for snorkeling on the first day, we will enjoy a light swim in the sea. Tropical fish swim in the shallows, so we will observe the creatures. We will head to the city center to check in at our reserved hotel.
Access: 10 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport. Approximately 20 minutes drive from the city center.
Parking: None
Duration: 40 minutes
15:20
Head to the city center and check into a hotel.
After checking in, we dropped off our luggage and headed for Yaima Village.
15:50
Yamama Village
Experience Yaeyama culture, watch buffalo and crested serpent eagles, and play with squirrel monkeys. In the evening, watch the sunset over Nagura Bay.
After sunset, park your car at the hotel and find a place to eat in the city center.
Location: 967-1, Nagura, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Closed: Open all year round
Business hours: 9:00 - 17:30 (reception until 17:00)
Phone number: 0980-82-8798
Admission: Adults 1,000 yen, children 500 yen (3 years old to elementary school students)
Duration: 60 minutes
18:30
Dinner at Yama-chan's Room Ishigaki Honten.
Yama-chan's Room is a traditional yakiniku and horumon-yakiniku restaurant with red lanterns hanging. Like an izakaya (Japanese style bar), it offers a variety of snacks and drinks at very reasonable prices! However, since it is a yakiniku restaurant, the meat menu is extensive and includes Ishigaki beef, a specialty of Ishigaki Island, popular hormone menu, and even Kawauchi beef tongue.
After tasting the excellent meat and sake at Yamachan, which is very popular among the locals, we will return to the hotel early to prepare for tomorrow's trip.
Related Rankings:hormone | Ishigaki City
20:30
Hotel will return.
2nd day
5:30
Getting up and getting ready
6:30
Sunrise Canoe Tours will provide complimentary transportation from your hotel to the field.
After a lecture on how to ride a SUP, you will enjoy canoe cruising while waiting for the sunrise. After the 2-hour sunrise canoeing experience, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
9:00
Return to the hotel by transportation.
9:15
Morning at Blue Cafe.
Blue Cafe is a stylish cafe that offers a breakfast bread buffet in a spacious restaurant. Breakfast tastes great after an early morning workout. The bread buffet offers a wide variety of breads from side dishes to sweet breads such as Anpan, so you can enjoy them to your heart's content.
Located near the ocean, the open terrace seating allows you to enjoy your morning meal while enjoying the ocean view, making it the most luxurious experience. After finishing breakfast, we will head to Kabira Bay, the famous Kabira Bay, the No.1 tourist attraction in Ishigaki Island.
Related Rankings:cafe | Ishigaki City
10:30
Arrival at Kabira Bay.
Glass boat cruising in Kabira Bay and walking around the park. You will fully enjoy the seven crystal clear waters of Kabira Bay, which is famous as the most scenic spot in Ishigaki Island. It is so famous that it was awarded 3 stars by Michelin Green Guide. You will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kabira Bay, which is said to change seven different colors of the sea from morning to noon. After a walk, we will visit Kabira Park Tea House.
Access: 40 minutes by bus from the bus terminal
Parking: Available
Duration: 150 minutes
13:00
Lunch at Kabira Park Teahouse
Kabira Park Tea House is a long-established restaurant located near Kabira Park where you can overlook Kabira Bay. Inside the restaurant, there are pictures of Ishigaki Island's spectacular scenery everywhere.
Yaeyama soba, a specialty of Yaeyama, is a popular dish with fish cake shaped like Ishigaki Island on top. If you are going to taste Yaeyama Soba, it is best to have it at Kabira Park Tea House. In addition to Yaeyama Soba, there are also traditional dishes such as Chanpuru and Pork and Eggs. After lunch, head to Sukuji Beach.
Related Rankings:Okinawa soba (thick noodles served in a pork soup) | Ishigaki City
14:00
Swimming at Sukuji Beach
Sukuji Beach is a long white sand beach located 10 minutes by car from Kabira Bay. It has been awarded two stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japon for its beauty. The beach is calm because of the windbreak forest of mokumao trees along the beach, and the surrounding facilities such as toilets, showers, changing rooms, and a large parking lot are also available. The beach is also equipped with toilets, showers, changing rooms, and a large parking lot, making it easy to enjoy swimming. After swimming, head for the Miyara River.
Address: Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Phone: 0980-86-8686
Length of stay: 120 min.
16:20
Walking in mangrove forest at Miyara River
Miyara River is the largest river in Ishigaki Island and has high biodiversity with mangroves near its mouth. You can also go down to the mudflats at low tide to explore the nearby hirugi forest, which is designated as a natural monument.
Address: Ohama, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 15 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport, 15 minutes from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal
Phone number: 0980-82-1535 (Ishigaki City Hall Tourism and Culture Division)
Free parking: approx. 4 cars
Peripheral facilities:None (restrooms, changing rooms, lockers, vending machines, no restaurants)
Duration: 30 minutes
17:05
Beach walk at Shiraho Coast
Shiraho Beach is a 10-minute drive from Shin-Ishigaki Airport and is one of the best places to visit at the beginning or end of your trip. It is a popular beach for diving and snorkeling because it has the largest blue coral in the northern hemisphere, but you can also see tropical fish in the shallows, so you don't need to wear a bathing suit to get knee-deep in the water to observe the creatures. Enjoy the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island at the end of your trip. After exploring Shiraho Beach, we will head to the airport.
Access: 10 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport. Approximately 20 minutes drive from the city center.
Parking: None
Duration: 45 minutes
18:00
Arrive at Shin-Ishigaki Airport one hour before flight departure.
19:00
Takeoff.
22:00
Arrival in Tokyo and return home
Plan for 2 days and 1 night to enjoy activities
Day 1
9:10
Arrival at Shin-Ishigaki Airport
We will depart from Haneda Airport at 6:20 a.m. for Ishigaki Island, taking the first flight to visit since we will join the tour in the afternoon on Day 1. Upon arrival at Shin-Ishigaki Airport, we will arrange a rental car and head to Korakuen.
9:40
Purchase tropical juices and sweets at Kourakuen
Hikarakuen is a log house-style tropical juice and sweets shop located in the center of Ishigaki Island, about 15 minutes by car from Shin-Ishigaki Airport.
The menu features a wide variety of fresh juices, frappes, and muffins made with island tropical fruits. Take-out is available, so after procuring your sweets, take a drive to the Euglena Mall.
Address: 1535-16, Heitoku, Ishigaki City
Phone number: 0980-88-8731
Business hours: 9:00-18:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Closed: No regular holidays
Parking: Available
Duration: 20 minutes
10:15
Euglena Mall
Located in the center of Ishigaki Island, Euglena Mall is the largest mall in Ishigaki Island with over 100 stores. There are two main streets, Chuo-dori and Ginza-dori, with souvenir shops, restaurants, and stores selling daily necessities. You can stock up on drinks and snacks before joining the tour. After purchasing, head toward the remote island terminal.
Address: 203 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Duration: 60 minutes
11:30
Island Vegetable Cafe Re:Hellow BEACH is a house-style restaurant using island vegetables with ocean views from every seat. Fresh island vegetables are brought in directly from farmers and purchased at the JA Yurateiku market on the same day. Especially popular is the healthy island vegetable curry that uses plenty of island vegetables. Of course, you can also choose to have raw vegetables or vinegared vegetables. After tasting the healthy island vegetables, you will be transferred to the remote island terminal, the meeting point for the tour.
Related Rankings:cafe | Ishigaki City
12:50
Gather in front of the Ishigakijima Port Remote Island Terminal No. 2 bus stop for the Phantom Island Snorkeling Tour.
13:00
Transfer by boat to Phantom Island (Hamashima)
13:30
Phantom Island Walk & Snorkeling
Phantom Island is an uninhabited island that appears and disappears depending on the tide level. Because there is no vegetation on the island, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree view of the ocean.
The surrounding ocean is also home to Japan's largest coral reef area, Shihsi lagoon, where snorkelers can enjoy the colorful coral and tropical fish. After finishing enjoying the beautiful waters of this fantastic island, return to the harbor.
15:30
End of snorkeling. Return to the harbor.
16:15
Arrival at Ishigakijima Port Terminal
16:30
Tour disbands.
17:00
Head to hotel, check in, and rest.
18:00
Dinner at Izakaya Marusa Misaki
Izakaya Marusa, Misaki Branch is a famous Izakaya in Ishigaki Island that serves many island dishes. You need to make a reservation in advance because the restaurant is inevitably full during the summer season.
The restaurant offers a varied menu of dishes such as island fish boiled in soy sauce, tuna with a big eye, fresh sashimi, and champuru.
After lunch, we will head back to the hotel.
Related Rankings:tavern | Ishigaki City
20:30
Returned to the hotel and went to bed.
2nd day
5:30
Getting up and getting ready
6:30
Morning at Tofu Higa
Taste the specialty Yushi Tofu at Tofu no Higa, a famous restaurant on Ishigaki Island. Yushi-dofu is a warm, gentle and melt-in-your-mouth tofu.
It is a popular restaurant where many people come to eat even if they have to wait in line in the morning. Let's enjoy the gentle taste from the morning.
Related Rankings:Tofu and Yuba Cuisine | Ishigaki City
7:30
Walk around the remote island terminal until you join the Phantom Island Snorkeling & Miyara SUP/Canoe Tour
8:30
Meet at the main entrance of Ishigakijima Port Terminal
9:00
Transfer by boat to Phantom Island (Hamashima)
9:30
Landing on Phantom Island & start snorkeling.
11:15
Snorkeling ends and return to the port.
12:30
Lunch break upon arrival at Ishigakijima Port Terminal
13:30
Ishigakijima Port Remote Island Terminal re-gathering
14:00
Arrival at Miyara River. After lecture, SUP/Canoe cruising
15:15
After SUP/canoe cruising, pick up and drop off at Ishigaki Port Terminal
16:00
Dismissal at the remote island terminal.
16:20
Swimming and marine sports at Maesato Beach
Maesato Beach is located on the south coast of the island and is an artificial beach managed by InterContinental Ishigaki Resort. It is free of charge even for non-guests.
We also offer activity rentals and marine sports tours, so you can enjoy the ocean to the fullest on our beautiful island beaches. After you have had your fill of fun, you will head to the airport.
18:00
Arrive at Shin-Ishigaki Airport one hour before flight departure.
19:00
Takeoff.
22:00
Arrival in Tokyo and return home
in the end
We introduced a model course for two days and one night in Ishigaki Island. How was it? There were sightseeing spots, recommended restaurants, and tours in Ishigaki Island. If you are planning a trip to Ishigaki Island and having a hard time making a schedule, please refer to it.
Thank you for reading to the end.
