Oritoori - Ishigaki City Official Tourism Information Website
A complete guide to "Shin-no-shima Ishigaki Airport," the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands!
We'll share information to help you fully enjoy your time from the moment you land on the island until you take off.
Shin-Ishigaki Airport, the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands, relocated from its previous location in the city center and reopened in March 2013. It currently serves flights to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa (Naha), Miyako, Yonaguni, Hateruma, and Tarama. International flights are also available adjacent to the airport.
Painushima means "southern island" in the local dialect. The spacious terminal building is packed with services that allow travelers to create lasting memories of their time on the island, not only for those just beginning their Yaeyama trip, but also for those whose trip is about to end.
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Southern Island Ishigaki Airport
1960-104-1 Shiraho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0242
Terminal building operating hours: 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Official website
Rooftop: Observation deck
2nd floor: Departure lobby, observation deck, massage, rest area, game corner, conference room
1st floor: Check-in lobby, arrival lobby, shops, restaurants
"Welcome to Ishigaki Island!" In the arrival lobby, you will be greeted with a welcome in the local dialect and a flagpole, the kind that men carry during the island's traditional harvest festivals.
If you haven't yet decided on your destinations or leisure activities during your stay, it's a good idea to check out the shops on Ishigaki Island at the brochure corner near the general information desk, just to the right after you exit the baggage claim area.
Also, on the wall immediately to the left after exiting the main entrance, you'll find the words "Southern Island Ishigaki Airport." It's a great photo spot where you can stand right under the words and take a picture. You can take a picture as soon as you arrive, or as you leave after your trip. Be sure to capture a memorable photo!
Ishigaki Airport is located in the Shiraho area, in the eastern part of the island, a little distance from the city center. The main ways to get from the airport to the city center are as follows:
If you plan to rent a car immediately after arriving at the airport, you will either need to take a shuttle bus to the "rental car station" next to the airport, or take a rental car company's shuttle bus directly to their office. This will vary depending on the rental car company you choose. Instructions for getting to the rental office after disembarking the plane will be provided when you make your reservation, so be sure to understand them thoroughly to ensure a smooth rental process.
[Rental car shuttle bus stop]
Upon exiting the main entrance, you'll find a pedestrian crossing directly in front of you. Across the crossing, you'll find reception staff waiting, and signs indicating the departure and arrival point for the rental car bus. While some branches have offices near the airport, those located in the city center require a 20-minute shuttle bus ride.
[Shuttle bus stop for rental car station]
Cross the pedestrian crossing and go straight to the left, and you will find a parking lot for large buses. This is the departure point for the shuttle bus to the rental car station. The bus runs approximately every 15 minutes. The bus ride to the rental car station takes 2-3 minutes. From the rental car station to the city center, it takes about 20 minutes by car.
If you exit the main entrance and turn left immediately you will find the bus stop. There is a bus stop for "Higashi Bus," the island's only regular bus service, and a bus stop for the direct bus operated by "Kari Kanko" between Painushima Ishigaki Airport and the Euglena Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal in the city center (one-way fare: 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for children). Reservations are not required for either bus.
If you are using the hotel's shuttle bus, exit the main entrance, cross the pedestrian crossing, and proceed straight ahead to the left. The bus pick-up and drop-off point is in the large bus parking area.
The taxi stand is located immediately to the right after exiting the main entrance. If you plan to use a jumbo taxi or similar, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance. Taxi fares are approximately 3,000 yen.
The airport parking lot is located right in front of the terminal.
- Parking fee is 100 yen per hour for the first 9 hours.
・ 1000 yen per day for 9 to 24 hours
The above amount will be added thereafter. Payment is by cash only.
You've thoroughly enjoyed your trip to Ishigaki Island, and now it's time to leave. For those who want to make the most of their time there until the very last moment, here's what you can do at Ishigaki Airport.
Have you ever felt like you didn't buy a souvenir for someone, or that you couldn't get that item you wanted? At Ishigaki Airport, with its over 15 shops, you can easily find everything you need at the end of your trip. You'll find not only sweets and condiments, but also local specialties like Yaeyama soba noodles, Yaeyama kamaboko (fish cake), and Ishigaki beef. You can also find souvenirs from other islands in the Yaeyama archipelago, local character goods, and handicrafts such as black pearls and Minsa weaving. You might even find souvenirs you couldn't find in town! Be sure to check out the airport-exclusive souvenirs as well.
Furthermore, in 2022, a FamilyMart convenience store opened between the airport and the international terminal, making it even more convenient as you can now purchase not only everyday necessities and souvenirs, but also drinks, snacks, and bento boxes.
In addition to shops, the airport houses five restaurants. You can enjoy hearty local cuisine such as Yaeyama soba, seafood, and Ishigaki beef, as well as drinks, gelato, and hamburgers, making it perfect for grabbing a bite to eat while waiting for your flight or arrival. The gelato selection includes items exclusive to the airport location, attracting many locals who visit the airport specifically for these treats. Furthermore, some seats in the lobby are equipped for charging laptops and smartphones!
After all that walking and swimming, why not unwind at the airport to soothe away the fatigue of your journey? Just inside Ishigaki Airport, take the stairs or elevator to the second floor, and you'll find a Ryukyu massage shop. They offer foot reflexology, head massages, hand care, and more. You can relax and rejuvenate while waiting for your flight, reminiscing about your travel memories.
Ishigaki Airport is a two-story building, with the first floor housing check-in and arrival lobbies, and the second floor featuring departure lobbies and an observation deck. It has a clear and easy-to-navigate layout, but there are some hidden gems that even locals say they didn't know about.
You can observe the large white butterfly, also designated as the city butterfly of Ishigaki, fluttering about up close. If you're lucky, you might even see its characteristic golden chrysalis.
Upon entering the airport, take the stairs or elevator on your right to the second floor where you'll find a spacious rest area. With chairs and tables arranged in a glass-enclosed space, it's an ideal spot to spend time waiting for your flight. It's also recommended for those who want to spread out their luggage in a large area or simply want a quiet place to relax. Further inside, you'll find a game corner (with a dedicated currency exchange machine) and a PC corner. *Note: You will need to go down to the first floor to reach the departure lobby.
You can access decks from both sides of the second-floor rest area. It's perfect for those who want to get some fresh air and enjoy a cool breeze. On a clear day, you can see the blue ocean beyond the parking lot. (Open 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM)
If you go straight past the baggage claim area, you'll find restrooms, vending machines, and coin lockers. At the end of the corridor, there's a bench where you can enjoy the view of the tarmac. It's a secretly popular spot for children, as they can see airplane-related jobs right before their eyes, as if they were visiting an airport to observe the work of airport staff.
If you go up to the second floor using the stairs or elevator located past the baggage claim area, you will reach a glass-enclosed observation deck where you can see people heading to their planes from the security checkpoint. Many people see off passengers in front of the security checkpoint, but if you come to the observation deck, you can see them off right up until they board their planes. (Open from 7:30 to 20:30).
Going further up from the observation deck will take you to the rooftop observation deck. (Only accessible from the left side facing the baggage claim area) From the observation deck, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the airport's surrounding scenery, including the runway, sea, and mountains. (Open 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM)
Upon entering through the main entrance, you will find Aeon Bank ATMs on the left and Okinawa Bank/Ryukyu Bank ATMs on the right.
This is a lifesaver when you have trouble with your smartphone charger. It's located right next to the general information desk.
It's located to the right after entering through the main entrance, behind the ATM. There's also a kettle, so you can boil water for making milk.
There is a mailbox right in front of the main entrance.
The lobby on the first floor is equipped with chairs for children.
If you have a lot of large luggage, use a cart to move around easily!
It's located to the right after leaving the airport, heading towards the control tower.
You can freely use the air pump located to the left after exiting the airport, just before the international departures entrance.
There are two smoking areas located in front of the terminal.
There are three sizes available: large (500 yen), medium (300 yen), and small (100 yen).
Ishigaki Airport is packed with shopping, dining, relaxation, and entertainment. With power outlets and Wi-Fi available, and even rental meeting rooms within the terminal, it's not uncommon for people living on Ishigaki Island to visit the airport specifically for work.
Nankai Ishigaki Airport is open as the gateway to the island by air. While we simply call it an "airport," the time you can spend there is incredibly diverse. We encourage everyone to fully enjoy this southern island airport for their own individual purposes.
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