Ishigaki Island - Misaki Park -
Early reservations are recommended as they fill up quickly.
◆Tuk-tuks and electric trikes are also popular!
About Misaki Park
Ishigaki Port TerminalIt's a small, well-maintained park located in front.
Even though the ocean is right next to it, this park—surrounded by greenery—feels like a whole different world!
Plants found on Ishigaki Island—such as “hibiscus,” “bougainvillea,” “getto,” “banyan,” and “akou”—have been beautifully tended and planted.
In the center of the park, there is also a large monument of an eagle that was built more than 40 years ago.
How to Get to Misaki Park
Misaki Park is located right outside the Remote Islands Terminal.
It takes about 25 minutes by car or about 40 minutes by bus to get there from New Ishigaki Airport.
・If you're coming by car
Leave New Ishigaki Airport and head south on National Route 390.
We’ll walk along the coastline for a while, with the ocean on our left.
Cross the Miyara Bridge and head toward the Remote Islands Terminal.
Turn left at the intersection at 730, and at the end of the road, you'll see the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal's Parking Lot No. 1 on your left; park there.
Across from this parking lot is Misaki-cho Park.
・If you're traveling by bus
I'll take the bus from New Ishigaki Airport to the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal.
Two bus companies—Higashi Transport and Curry Kanko Bus—operate routes to the Remote Islands Terminal.
You can get there by taking the Higashi Transport bus bound for the harbor area, which stops at the ANA InterContinental and the JAL Yaeyama Hotel.
If you take the Kari Sightseeing Bus bound for the Remote Islands Terminal, you can get there on a nonstop bus.
・If you're coming on foot
Walk 100 meters south from the bus terminal to get there.
It's about a 2-minute walk from here.
How to Enjoy Misaki Park
Misaki Park isIshigaki Port TerminalSince it's located between Hotel Miyahira and [...], we recommend stopping by before boarding the high-speed ferry.
There are cafes and other places nearby, so you can relax and take your time.
Related columns are here↓.
Details about Misaki Park
Misaki Park is a park located right in front of Parking Lot 1 at the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal.
Misaki Town, home to Misaki Park, is the commercial district of Ishigaki Island. Misaki Town was originally created through the reclamation of shallow waters to allow large ships to dock at Ishigaki Island.
Subsequently, Ishigaki Port was completed.
To commemorate its completion, a statue of the crested goshawk—which is designated as a natural monument—was erected in the center of Misaki Park.
It is a park that locals frequent, and is affectionately known among them as "Owashi Park."
The inscription on the Crested Eagle monument was written by Shinzen Ohama, an educator from Ishigaki Island who served as president of Waseda University.
He is a famous figure who represents Ishigaki Island, and in Yashima Town, a short distance from the park, there is the Ohama Shinsen Memorial Hall, built in his honor.
The museum houses documents from the time of Okinawa’s reversion, as well as famous quotes and mottos.
The lyrics to “Washi no Tori-bushi,” a representative song of Yaeyama folk music, are engraved on the back of the monument.
The opening lines of these lyrics use the word "ayapani," which refers to the beauty of the crested eagle's feathers, likening them to fine twill weave.
Furthermore, since the term "Ayapani" was once used as the name of a shopping district, it holds great sentimental value for the people of Ishigaki Island.
There are also signs throughout the park indicating the distances from Ishigaki Island to neighboring islands and cities such as Tokyo and Taiwan.
The sign states that the island is 1,998 km from Tokyo and 200 km from Taiwan—which makes you realize just how far away Ishigaki Island is, since Taiwan is closer than the Japanese mainland.
Subtropical plants such as hibiscus, bougainvillea, moon lily, banyan, akou, palm, agave, and Ariake vine have been planted around Misaki Park.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Misaki Park
Shin-Ei Park
Shin-Sakae Park is located at the end of the road after heading north from Misaki Park and turning left onto Misaki Center Street.
It is a large green park where the island’s children usually play on the playground equipment and enjoy sports.
Because of its spacious grounds, many outdoor events—such as the Orion Beer Fest and the Tuba-Rama Tournament—are held here.
In addition to playground equipment, the park also features the World Peace Bell, a monument commemorating the City’s Declaration of Peace, and a statue of “Pai-guru,” Ishigaki City’s official mascot.
Since it's close to the city center, it's a great idea to buy some bento boxes or light snacks and have a picnic there.
Address: 4 Shin-ei-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 5 minutes on foot from the remote island terminal
Parking: Available
Dining (Nearby): Available (in the city center area)
Toilet: Yes
Gushiken Youtaka Monument
Since the Yoshitaka Gushiken Monument is located right next to the Remote Islands Terminal, you can visit it by following the same route as for Misaki Park.
This is a statue of Yoshitaka Gushiken located in front of the pier at the Ishigaki Remote Islands Terminal.
Since Mr. Gushiken has been appearing frequently on variety shows lately, many people may think of him as a TV personality, but he is actually a former professional boxer.
What's more, he is a legendary boxer who achieved the remarkable feat of successfully defending his WBA World Junior Flyweight title 13 times in a row.
To honor this achievement, a monument was erected in front of the Remote Islands Terminal, where Mr. Gushiken was born.
The monument depicts him in his champion days and is a gleaming golden statue known as a popular photo spot.
Because the golden statue is strongly backlit in the morning, making it difficult to take photos, we recommend visiting in the afternoon if you’d like to take a commemorative photo.
In addition to the monument, there is also the Yukio Gushiken Memorial Hall, which features exhibits such as the gloves he wore during his championship days, as well as videos of his matches.
You can get there by exiting the Remote Islands Terminal, keeping the ocean on your left, and walking straight west.
Location: 1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture (in front of Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal)
Access: 30 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Southern Gate Bridge
From Misaki-cho, head toward the 780 Intersection on the Southern Gate Bridge, then turn right at the intersection.
Go straight for a while, and you'll come to the Southern Gate entrance intersection; turn right there, and you'll arrive.
The Southern Gate Bridge is a large bridge connecting the reclaimed land area of "Minami-no-Hama-cho," and it is about a 5-minute walk from the Remote Islands Terminal and the city center.
One side of the Southern Gate Bridge has been converted into a sidewalk, so you can walk there.
There's a large parking lot just past the bridge, so it's a good idea to park your car there and walk to the site.
In addition, the Southern Gate Bridge features stairs that lead to the top of the bridge, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of sunrises, sunsets, starry skies, and the city’s nightscape.
Since this is the island’s premier scenic spot, why not spend some romantic time atop the island’s symbol?
Address: 1-chome, Yashima-cho, Ishigaki City
Directions: About a 5-minute drive from the Remote Islands Terminal and about a 30-minute drive from Ishigaki Airport.
Details about Misaki Park
| Location | Misaki Town, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan (in Japanese history)View in MAP) |
| Access | Right next to the Remote Islands Terminal |
| parking lot | ant |
| toilet | ant |
| Business Hours | - |
Related columns are here↓.
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