22 recommendations for fun on Ishigaki Island!

Ishigaki Island is a particularly popular tourist destination among the remote islands of Okinawa, and with the construction of the new Ishigaki Airport in 2013, access to the island has improved.

Beautiful nature is the charm of Ishigaki Island, and many tourists visit the island in search of healing.

Therefore, we would like to introduce our recommended courses to fully enjoy the charms of Ishigaki Island.

The first course we will introduce is to enjoy the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island.

 

Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!
↓Click here for more information.

 

Introducing recommended fun in the ocean, mountains, and rivers of Ishigaki Island!

marine sports

Marine sports are an essential activity for enjoying the sea.

Therefore, we recommend it for those who want to "play around with marine sports.

On Ishigaki Island, there is a flyboarding experience and an all-you-can-play plan with 16 different types of marine sports.

Flyboarding is an unprecedented style of activity in which a nozzle is connected to the exhaust port of a water bike and the momentum of the water jet is used to fly up to the top of the sea, and it has become a hot topic because of its visual impact.

It may seem difficult to some, but most people can successfully stand and fly in about 5 to 10 minutes.

The view of the Ishigaki sea from the sky is exceptional.

After experiencing the exhilaration of flyboarding, please enjoy 16 types of marine sports such as banana boats, jet skis, wakeboards, and water skis.

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Experience Diving

Hamashima is a famous island in Ishigaki Island, an uninhabited island with only a sandy beach surrounded by the sea that is used as a filming location for commercials.

With an unobstructed view, the 360-degree panorama is spectacular.

The island is not visible at high tide, but appears at low tide and is called "Phantom Island.

There are tours that allow you to dive in the crystal clear waters of such a fantastic island.

Diving tours are available even if you do not need a diving license, and beginners can try diving with ease as there is an easy-to-understand lecture before the dive.

Also, because the diving is done in shallow areas, Hamashima is a popular spot with children.

You can admire colorful fish and swim with sea turtles in the crystal clear water.

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snorkeling

Snorkeling is a popular activity for those who want to enjoy the underwater world easily, and snorkeling tours allow you to see manta rays on Hamajima.

Hama Island has one of the highest rates of manta encounters in the world at Manta Point, and the sight of these graceful creatures swimming by is truly impressive.

The staff will teach you how to use the equipment and how to swim, so even if you are not a good swimmer, you can enjoy snorkeling in the ocean of Hamashima.

There is a coral reef community around Hamashima Island that is designated as an underwater national park, so you can admire the beautiful coral.

You can also pick up cute shells on the island, which make great souvenirs and keepsakes.

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Yaeyama Remote Islands Tour

The remote islands of Yaeyama from Ishigaki IslandEfficient SightseeingFor those who want to do so, a tour around the islands is recommended.

This tour allows you to fully enjoy the charms of Yaeyama's remote islands such as Iriomote Island, where 90% of the island is covered by jungle, Taketomi Island, where traditional townscapes remain, and Yubu Island, which is reached by a buffalo crossing the sea from Iriomote Island.

Unlike marine activities,Basically, it never gets wet.Therefore, it is also recommended for those who do not like the sea.

Click here for popular island tours

Check out more Yaeyama Remote Islands Tour Plans from Ishigaki Island!

 

Yoga (YOGA)

You can experience yoga on the emerald green waters of Ishigaki Island.

The program includes 30 minutes of SUP yoga and 30 minutes of SUP cruising. The experience is located about 30 minutes by car from the remote island terminal and only a few minutes by car from the famous Kabira Bay, making it easily accessible.

SUP is a marine sport that is rapidly gaining popularity around the world, where you paddle while standing on a board. SUP yoga is effective for the inner muscles in the legs, hips, and torso because you balance on the board.

SUP yoga is done in areas where the waves are calm and the water is low, and the instructor gives a detailed lecture on how to ride and paddle, so beginners are welcome.

Refresh your body and mind by doing yoga in the magnificent wilderness.

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Fishing Tour

The sea around Ishigaki Island is home to more fish than any other area.

But it's hard to prepare tools and it's difficult to find a point of interest in a strange land.

In such cases, fishing tours are recommended.

In the fishing tour, you can enjoy fishing at the best fishing points selected by professionals who know Ishigaki's sea well.

The guides will teach you what you don't know, making it easy even for first-time fishermen.

The high-class akadine is often caught on Ishigaki Island, and akadine is excellent boiled, grilled, or fried, and especially sashimi is very tasty with its elegant flavor and fat, so be sure to get some.

Ishigaki Island has a strong image of blue sea, but the nature unique to subtropical climate is also very attractive.

So next I would like to introduce three tours for river excursions.

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Mangrove SUP

Miyara River has the largest basin area in Ishigaki Island, and the mangroves growing in the river are designated as a national cultural asset as a natural monument. There is a tour where you can cruise on the Miyara River by SUP.

SUP operation is easy and takes only about 5 minutes to get used to, so even people who have never used SUP before or children can enjoy it.

SUP is paddling while standing, which gives you a strange sensation of walking on the sea, and the view from a high vantage point is spectacular.

The mudflats are home to many crabs and fishes, such as the Blue Crab, which can be observed on the mudflats.

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mangrove canoe

We also offer canoe tours of the Fukidori River in Ishigaki Island.

Fukitsu River is a large mangrove river located in the northern part of Ishigaki Island and is designated as a cultural asset of Ishigaki City.

You paddle a canoe from the mouth of the ocean, and because the Fukidori River is narrow, you can see the mangrove forests from a close distance, which is very powerful.

After enjoying a canoe cruise, we will trek to Yabiku Falls.

Although the trek is short, you will feel a sense of adventure as you are surrounded by large rocks and trees unique to the subtropics.

Yabiku Falls is said to be a "match-making waterfall," so it is a recommended spot for those who want to improve their luck in love.

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Caving (Iriomote Island)

Iriomote Island has a number of limestone caves in the mangrove forests, and limestone caves have recently attracted attention as a hot spot among tourists.

For the caving (limestone cave exploration) tour (from Ishigaki Island to Uehara Port, the staff will take you to the limestone caves.

(It takes about 40 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island to Uehara Port.) You can once again experience the thrill of sneaking into a secret base that you experienced as a child.

It is dark inside the limestone caves, so it is uneasy to explore them on your own.

The local staff knows the area well, so even beginners can join the tour with confidence.

The stalactites hanging from the ceiling are truly beautiful, and the contrast between the darkness and the fantastic light coming from the ground is a must-see.

On the way to the limestone caves, visitors can also see various plants such as the leaves that Totoro used as umbrellas on rainy days, and plank roots (trees whose roots are shaped like planks).

There are many sightseeing spots on Ishigaki Island, so you may be at a loss as to which spots to visit.

And when you travel independently, sometimes you don't know much about the local area, so you can't enjoy it efficiently.

Sightseeing tours are convenient in such cases.

Guides who know the area well will tell you about the charms of Ishigaki Island, and you will be able to move smoothly to your destination, making your trip memorable.

So, finally, I would like to introduce some recommended sightseeing tours that will allow you to fully enjoy the charms of Ishigaki Island.

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Iriomote Island Unexplored Waterfall Play & Caving

Click here to book a ferry to Iriomote Island.

 

Taketomi Island Sightseeing

Taketomi Island is a remote island located about 10 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island, and is famous for preserving ancient traditions and is still lined with old houses.

The red-tiled streets and flowers decorating the eaves are so beautiful that the village of Taketomi Island was designated as the first Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in Okinawa Prefecture.

A popular sightseeing course is to ride a slow-moving buffalo cart through these streets, swaying comfortably along the way.

In addition, the circumference of Taketomi Island is very compact, about 9 km, so you can visit all the tourist spots by renting a bicycle for a day.

You can enjoy an exhilarating ride on a course of your choice, such as a village or a little path.

The most famous beach on Taketomi Island is Kondoi Beach.

The white sandy beach and peppermint green ocean are spectacular, and the shallow waters and gentle tides allow even small children to enjoy playing in the ocean with ease.

Kaiji beach is also a famous spot known as "star sand beach.

At Kaiji beach, you can pick up cute star-shaped seashells from the sand scattered on the white sandy beach.

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Click here to book a ferry to Taketomi Island

 

Panari Island Sightseeing

Panari Island is an island called Aragusuku Island in the Yaeyama Islands, a tourist destination consisting of two remote islands, Kamiji Island and Shimoji Island.

Panari means "away" in Yaeyama dialect.

Panari Island is surrounded by subtropical rainforests and beautiful beaches, and is a popular unexplored tourist destination.

Since there is no regular boat service to Panari Island, it is common to take a tour.

Ishigaki Island Tours offers several different tours including a plan to explore Panari Island and a plan that includes snorkeling.

On Panari Island, you can see the same red-tile house villages and other townscapes as on Taketomi Island, but the population of Panari Island is about 10 people, so the atmosphere is peaceful and different from that of Taketomi Island.

The waters of Panari Island are known as Panari Blue and boast outstanding clarity.

The waters of Panari Island are home to tropical fish such as clownfish and corals such as isobana, and visitors can appreciate the beautiful scenery of red isobana against the blue of Panari blue.

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glass boat

Kabira Bay is a famous tourist spot in Ishigaki Island and the clarity of the sea is one of the best in the world.

Even if you want to take a peek into such beautiful waters, Kabira Bay is a no-swimming area, so diving and snorkeling are not allowed.

But with a glass boat, you can cruise around with a spectacular view of Kabira Bay.

A glass boat is a boat with a transparent glass bottom that allows you to observe underwater while riding on the boat, and you can see corals and fish in Kabira Bay.

The glass boat allows people who cannot swim, children, and the elderly to enjoy observing the underwater world without getting wet from the boat.

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Night Tour

Ishigaki Island also has a wonderful night view. Ishigaki Island offers night tours where you can view the stars and explore the jungle at night.

Ishigaki Island is the first area in Japan to be recognized as a starry sky protection area, and the starry sky is very beautiful.

There are no neon lights or street lamps in town, and the air is clean and beautiful, so you can see various stars such as the Southern Cross in spring, the Milky Way in summer, and the constellation Cassiopeia in autumn.

In addition, the tour to explore the subtropical jungle of Ishigaki Island at night allows you to observe nocturnal creatures that cannot be seen during the day, such as flying foxes and owls.

Ishigaki Island Tours' night tours change locations depending on the weather and other factors of the day, so you can visit secret spots that are not listed in guidebooks and are known only to locals.

It's exciting and thrilling.

Since there is absolutely no artificial light at night, you can go to places that are too dangerous to go alone with a guide who knows the area well.

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sea kayak

Sea kayaking is a classic activity on Ishigaki Island.

We cruise in all directions through the emerald green Ishigaki Island's crystal clear waters, cutting through the wind.

The high transparency of the Ishigaki Island ocean allows you to see the ocean bottom even from a sea kayak and observe swimming tropical fish and colorful corals.

Ishigaki Island has many beaches and spots to enjoy marine activities.

You can also cruise to Kabira Bay, the most scenic spot in Ishigaki Island, or to the unexplored Blue Cave.

Different fields have different inhabitants and landscapes, and even the most beautiful scenery can feel varied.

The sea of Kabira Bay is said to change its color in seven different shades, so you can enjoy watching the beautiful colors of the sea from the comfort of your kayak.

In the Blue Cave, the cave becomes darker as you advance, but when you turn around, you are transported to a fantastic world of blue.

Leaving the paddle and letting the waves wash over you, you will feel like you have become one with the ocean of Ishigaki Island, and you will be reminded that you are in a relaxing resort area, which is very relaxing.

I am sure you will discover other new ways to enjoy kayaking at each scene, such as Sunrise Sunset, so please join us if you are eligible for any of these tours!

 

Sunrise SUP

Sunrise SUP is a SUP activity where you go out to the field before sunrise to soak up the sunrise.

On the Ishigaki Island Sunrise SUP tour, we leave for the field early in the morning with a misty sky and cruise SUP through the mangrove forest.

Continue out the mouth of the river and stretch your legs to where you can see the horizon.

During this time, there will be a basic lecture on SUP, so even beginners can participate with ease.

On a clear day, you can clearly see the sun peeking over the horizon.

Unlike during the daytime, the sunrise is best greeted while cruising through the clear air and clearer rivers and seas.

When your whole body is exposed to the morning sun, you can feel your body rising up on a cellular level!

The morning sunrise after a light workout on the SUP is so refreshing that it even feels like you are detoxifying your body and mind.

These days, some people are doing yoga SUP in the morning, so you will definitely have a more pleasant morning if you try it!

After a morning of physical exertion, breakfast is sure to be an exquisite meal!

 

Sunset Canoeing

Ishigaki Island has one of the best sunset views in Japan.

There are many sunset spots, and viewing the sunset while enjoying activities is very popular!

Such popular sunset canoes can be moved to a more visible location as the sun sets, and the horizon can be closely observed as it sinks.

The clear blue sky and crystal clear emerald green sea gradually turn red in the evening, a sight that once burned into your mind, you will never forget!

Just admiring the sunset from the boat in the quiet of the evening is relaxing.

Why not end the day with a canoe cruise while enjoying a beautiful sunset?

 

Appreciation of Sagaribana

Sagaribana is a flowering tree that grows in subtropical regions, and can be viewed only during the summer season from June to August on Ishigaki Island.

This flower is also called "overnight flower" or "phantom flower" because it blooms and falls overnight.

It has petals in eye-catching shades of pink, white, and red, and emits a sweet vanilla-like fragrance.

In addition to its ephemeral nature that blooms and falls overnight, the sagaribana has the flower language of bringing good luck.

You will be lucky to see the sagaribana in full bloom for a limited time only!

 

Yaeyama Firefly Appreciation

Yaeyama fireflies are the smallest fireflies in Japan, inhabiting only a few remote islands in the Yaeyama Archipelago.

Because of their low flying ability, they often fly at low altitudes.

They also glow in a blinking manner because they cannot glow for long periods of time like the genji botaru and heike botaru on the mainland.

The Yaeyama firefly season is limited to the spring season, from March to June, so pinpointing your visit is recommended.

When in flight, the sight of thousands or tens of thousands of them gathered and glowing like flashing lights is truly spectacular.

It is also called a carpet of light because of its beauty.

Some people are so moved by the beauty that they are moved to tears.

The Yaeyama Firefly Tour is available only from March to June, so be sure to check it out!

 

Sunset SUP

Watch the sunset on SUP, a new favorite activity on Ishigaki Island!

The sun setting into the beautiful sea of Ishigaki Island is very beautiful.

There is a time called "magic hour" when the sunset shines like gold, green or red.

You can enjoy such a magic hour in the best comfort on a SUP. It is also nice to lay back and relax and watch.

The silhouette on the SUP with the sunset of Ishigaki Island in the background is very photogenic, so please take a commemorative photo with your loved ones.

 

Sunrise Canoeing

Canoeing in Ishigaki Island allows you to experience various fields such as mangroves and the ocean, as well as enjoy rich situations such as sunrise and sunset.

Especially in sunrise canoeing, you can enjoy the fresh morning air, crystal clear rivers and seas, and animal noises in the silence of the morning on Ishigaki Island.

In addition, physical exercise in the morning will wake you up and get your day off to a good start.

The first part of the tour is a leisurely cruise from the river to the sea.

Once out on the open field, we place our paddles in the canner and wait for the Ishigaki Island sun to rise over the horizon.

The colorful orange glow of the sunrise is a sight to behold.

Would you like to experience the excitement of a morning at a tropical resort?

 

Canyoning and shower climbing (Iriomote Island)

Iriomote Island, accessible in 40-60 minutes from Ishigaki Island, has many mountains and rivers, and canyoning and shower climbing are popular.

Canyoning is river rafting, and shower climbing is river climbing, both of which are very popular activities because they allow people to enjoy both mountain and river activities at the same time.

In canyoning, you can slide down naturally created sliders or jump into waterfall pools, and feel the thrill of being surrounded by beautiful clear water.

Shower climbing is more challenging than canyoning because it involves climbing up to higher elevations and waterfalls.

Both are popular activities, so join a tour and challenge yourself safely!

Click here to book canyoning in Iriomote Island.

Click here to book a ferry to Iriomote Island.

 

Iriomote Island Sightseeing Tour

On jungle-covered Iriomote Island, you can enjoy various activities such as playing with waterfalls, mountain climbing, exploring limestone caves, canoeing, and SUP.

world natural heritage siteThe island is also registered as a "World Heritage Island" and is a very popular destination for many tourists every year.

Such Iriomote Island can only be reached by ferry from Ishigaki Island.

Ferry Tickets and ActivitiesCheap Tour (Set Plan)You can enjoy Iriomote Island easily if you book the ferry and the activity separately.economicalIt is!

Click here for popular Iriomote Island tours (set plan)

Check out more details about Iriomote Island tours from Ishigaki Island!

 

summary

We hope you found your favorite course among the three courses we introduced above.

All of the courses introduced here allow you to experience the rich nature of Ishigaki Island.

Please refer to this course and make many wonderful memories in Ishigaki Island.

All the fun of Ishigaki Island is here↓.
Ishigaki Island Tours

Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!
↓Click here for more information.

Enjoy a luxurious and relaxing experience after a day of activities.