Ishigaki Island is located some 1,600 km from Tokyo and 270 km from Taiwan. It’s a subtropical island with a warm climate all year round, blessed with a rich natural landscape. It takes about three hours to drive around the island by car. It also is the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands, with boat access to nearby islands.
Rich subtropical nature
- Beautiful sea surrounds the island
- Mountains and forests lush with tropical plants
- Nature filled with diverse wildlife
Majestic nature unfolds in the sea dotted with coral reefs and mountains covered by subtropical plants. This natural landscape is inhabited by diverse wildlife, including the endangered crested serpent eagle. It’s also known as one of the best places for stargazing in Japan. You’ll also find all kinds of activities that let you really enjoy the nature.
Ishigaki Island food culture
- Yaeyama soba noodles, the island-dwellers’ soul food
- Ishigaki beef raised in a serene environment
- Fresh tuna, skipjack tuna, and other fish from the nearby sea
Ishigaki Island’s food culture is unique and has many aspects different from that of mainland Japan. Also Yaeyama soba noodles, which is a common meal for locals, doesn’t use buckwheat flour but wheat flour. In the summer, you’ll find a wealth of pineapples, mangoes, and other fresh tropical fruits. Traditional Okinawan awamori is made at six island distilleries, each offering its own distinct flavor. Another popular food is Ishigaki beef that is fattened on the island.
Unique culture and customs
- Called the “island of song and dance” for its flourishing performing arts
- Annual events held according to the old lunar calendar
- Lion talismans warding off evil on rooftops and gateposts
There is a lot of culture and customes unique to Okinawa. Music and dance are popular, with traditional and other events featuring abundant music and dance as well. Annual events are held according to the old lunar calendar, including the dragon boat race (haarii) that prays for bountiful hauls and safety at sea and the harvest festival that wishes for abundant crops. Traditional handicrafts for textiles, dyeing, local everyday articles, and pottery are still practiced.
From Ishigaki Island to the other Yaeyama Islands
- Regular ferries to seven inhabited islands
- Island hopping is recommended too
- Iriomote Island, known as the “Galapagos of the East”
Boats depart for the other islands from the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal every day. Almost all islands are suitable for day trips, so island hopping is recommended too. All the islands have their own unique charms and are full of highlights.
