Photo & Text: Masumi Sasamoto
Photographer Akito Higashisato
Akito Aizato is the co-representative of empty, a company that handles planning and photography. He is involved in planning and directing various photography and event projects. He started playing in a band in high school and continues to work as a musician. While working as a civil servant, he launched "Reverb," a music event featuring collaborations between high school students and adults.
- Rural landscape near Kainan settlement, Nosoko slope, Iharama hill, Tonoshiro fishing port red lighthouse, Hamasaki Marina -
Nagisa Hirata, snack bar owner and singer-songwriter
Nagisa Hirata runs a snack bar called "Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Etcetera" where live music is played, and she is also active as a singer herself. She is very busy performing on stage at events and hotel concerts. She has been learning Ryukyu dance since she was three years old, under the guidance of her mother, who is a Ryukyu dance teacher.
- Juhachiban-gai, Tomizaki Kannon-do, Yaeyama Bullfighting Arena, VOLTS COFFEE 730 -
Nature guide, Yukihiro Ohama
Yukihiro Ohama, who guides snorkeling and cave tours, is one of the few island guides. He started his tour shop, Big Beach, 13 years ago with the desire to "share the charm of the island." This time, he guided us to places that reflect the history of his hometown, Ohama.
- Statue of Oyake Akahachi, Monument to Oyake Akahachi, Ohama Beach, Footprints of Oyake Akahachi, FARM&CAFE Kourakuen -
Ako Maedomari, Awamori brewer
Akiko Maedomari is in charge of planning, public relations, and sales for Yaesen Shuzo, a family business founded in 1955. She is working hard to spread the deliciousness of awamori to a wider audience. In addition to her main job, she is also active as a speaker at the annual Ishigaki Islander Summit.
- Giving Tree Home, Yonehara Yaeyama Palm Grove, Observation Spot between Sakieda and Kawadaira, Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas THE STAR BAR, Minami-no-Hama Town Green Park -
Sailor Kohei Makuta and housewife Mirai
Kohei Makuta, captain of the passenger ferry "Southern Eagle" operated by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, travels back and forth between the Yaeyama Islands every day. He has been a flag bearer in Shinkawa since high school and actively participates in local events such as the Harvest Festival. He introduced us to the places he and his wife, Mirai, always go to with their family on their days off.
- Sakieda Sea, Arakawa Falls, Banna Park Children's Play Area, Euglena Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal, Shinkawa Park -
Singer-songwriter Rio Higashisato
Rio Aizato, who has been active for 20 years as part of the sanshin and guitar unit "Yanawaraba" with her childhood friend Yu Ishigaki, is currently based in Osaka while raising her children. During her visit home, Rio showed us some of her favorite places on the island.
- The slope on the street behind Yaeyama High School, Big 1, the banyan tree on the grounds of Tonoshiro Community Center, the former island pier, Mirumiru Honpo -
Stargazing guide, Hiroyuki Takazono
Hiroyuki Hozono, who returned to the island from the city and rediscovered the wonders of its nature, is now sharing the allure of the Yaeyama starry skies. He is a certified "Chura Hoshi Meister" by the Ishigaki City Tourism Exchange Association and works as a stargazing guide on Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island. We asked Mr. Hozono to tell us about his recommended stargazing spots on Ishigaki Island.
- Nagura Bay, the coast near Tamatori Cape, Yashima Coast, Miyara Makinaka, Osato -
Veterinarian Hideto Urasaki
Suguto Urasaki is a veterinarian who primarily treats cattle. He and his wife, who is also a veterinarian, run Urasaki Farm Care Support and travel all over the island's ranches. He is one of only a few veterinarians on the island who can perform egg collection from cows.
- The river near Omoto Tunnel, the beach between Kujira and Hirakubo, Maesedake, and the tsunami boulders in Sakihara Park -
Community Manager, Chika Hashizume
He is one of the co-representatives of empty, a company that handles editing, design, photography, planning, and event management. He serves as the vice president of "Yaeyama Hito University," a community that "creates spaces for young people on the island," and is involved in various initiatives to revitalize the island, such as supporting "Oyake Akahachi," a modern version of Kumiodori (Okinawan traditional dance) that he himself was involved in during his junior and senior high school years.
- Kawadaira Ishizaki Peninsula, Ishigaki Yaima Village, Nagura Dam, Kannonzaki, DRAPEAU Cafe & Restaurant -
Airport ground staff member, Miki Shinjo
Miki Shinjo has worked for JAL Sky Airport Okinawa for many years as a ground staff member at Ishigaki Airport. At the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands, she handles counter duties and provides guidance at the boarding gates. Miki has been learning Yaeyama dance since she was a child, and has also been active in the local performing arts club and youth association, carrying on local events and the island's traditional culture.
- Pigoro Hill, Ishigaki Airport Observation Deck, Miyara Bridge, Funakura Park, Hamasaki Marina -
Mr. Motofumi Shinmori, a town employee of Taketomi Town, and his wife, Harumi Shinmori, a nurse.
Motoshi and Harumi Shinmori are a couple who were classmates on the island. Motoshi's life's work is to delve into the island's nature, history, and culture. Harumi works as a freelance nurse, caring for the minds and bodies of the islanders. They showed me the places they always go to play with their three boys.
- Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum, Kinjo Kamaboko, Banna Park Emerald Sea Observation Deck, VERA Ishigaki Island Observation Station, Nagura Anpal -
Ransa Ishimine, who creates natural cosmetics using ginger lily.
Ransa Ishimine, who runs the skincare and fragrance brand "SUNNYTIME," which uses island ginger lily to create mists and oils, and also operates the cafe and bulk-selling shop "Gathering and Relaxing," shared her favorite relaxing spots and places close to home, as she loves forests.
- Furustohara Ruins, Banna Park, Firefly Road, Euglena Mall, Ginza Street -
Sisters Kazuna Kawai and Miwako Kaneku run a fruit parlor.
Kazuna and Miwako run the parlor "FARM&CAFE Kourakuen," where they make juices, frappés, and baked goods using tropical fruits from the island. They also own a field where they cultivate guava and dragon fruit. Where do these close sisters, who love to go out, go on their days off?
- Stargazing at Ishigaki Airport observation deck, Banna Park, parking area overlooking Kabira Bay, Yarabu-dake, and Sakieda -
Frozen fruit shop owner and cattle farmer, Kazutaka Une
Kazunari Une runs a product business that uses special freezing techniques to freeze island fruits such as pineapples and mangoes. In addition to manufacturing and selling the products and running a stand that serves them as smoothies, he is also a livestock farmer raising about 15 beef cattle, making him an active young farmer.
- View from near Tropical House and Tomino bus stop, Ishigaki City Hall, Euglena Mall, and Ikkyu Shokudo -
Cattle farmer, Hiroshi Miyara
Naka Miyara is a calf farmer and Ishigaki beef fattener, raising around 140 cattle. He is also very active in community activities in Shiraho, where he was born and raised, and in preserving traditional culture. We asked Mr. Miyara, who has a strong love for Shiraho, to introduce us to his recommended spots in and around Shiraho.
- Okinawan & South American Cuisine Moromiya, Shiraho Village, Access Road to the Airport, Churaimo Benikko Soba, Nosoko Forest Road -
Naofumi Tarama, a fisherman
Naofumi Tarama is a fisherman who mainly fishes for tuna, including bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and bigeye tuna. He can even catch bluefin tuna weighing several times his own weight using the single-line fishing method. What is the favorite fishing spot of this strong man of the sea, Mr. Tarama?
- Under the Southern Gate Bridge, Ishigaki Fishing Port, PIZZERIA IL TRECORDE, Futanaga Beach -
Designer Yasutake Ikeshiro
Yasutake Ikeshiro, the representative of Ichigusuku Mode, creates clothing inspired by the island's nature and culture. The OORITOORI website logo was also designed by Ikeshiro, and his posters and signs can be seen all over the island, demonstrating his wide range of activities.
- Torinji Temple, Gongendo Hall, 730 Memorial Monument, OASIS, Banna Park, Omotodake Mountain -
Hidenori Tanaka picks up trash every day.
Inspired by the problem of marine debris, Ms. Tanaka has been doing "earth cleaning" every day in between work since July 2020. She goes to the sea before sunrise, visits the harbor in the evening, and picks up trash near her home on rainy days. Of all the places she goes, she shared five of her favorite beaches with us.
- Futanaga Coast, Todoroki Coast, Hoshino Coast, Yashima Coast, Nagura Bay -
Sabani boat carpenter, Tomoatsu Yoshida
Tomohiro Yoshida builds sabani, traditional Okinawan wooden boats. In 2015, he established a shipyard in Kuura, in the northern part of Ishigaki Island, and has been making sabani entirely by hand. He shared his favorite spot in the nature-rich northern part of the island where he lives with his family.
- Coral reef off Kuura, viewpoint near Ainama rock, Kuura coast, Hirakubo Elementary School, Hirakubo Barringtonia racemosa colony -
Pineapple farmer Masaya Omine
In the lush green village of Kawahara, Masaya, the third-generation pineapple farmer, sells his pineapples under the name "Ma-bo's Pineapples." A busy working father of three, Masaya's favorite place to relax is here.
- My own pineapple orchard, the slope leading from Shiraho to Hoshino village, Cafe Egao no Hatake (Smiling Field), Ishigaki City Sports Park 2nd Baseball Field -
Instagrammer Minori Komi
Minori, who loves Ishigaki Island, is an Instagrammer and photographer who shares her favorite places there. She loves the island's nature and lives a sustainable lifestyle, and here are some of her top recommended spots.
- Churatto, Sakieda's Seascape, Akashi Coast, Yachimun Museum -
Musician, Kiyama Shoten Masuto
Masuto, a member of the three-person entertainment band "Kiiyama Shoten," used to spend most of his time on the island, touring the country for live performances and such. However, he's been able to stay on the island for the past year and a half, and he says he's come to appreciate its charm all over again.
- Noharazaki, Inoda Campground, Akasaki Beach, Miyara Sashimi Shop, the sea beyond the Southern Gate Bridge -
Wedding producer Kimiyo Nomura
Kimiyo works as a wedding producer, handling a wide range of events from large, unique island-style receptions to resort weddings. We asked her about a place she often goes to with her elementary school-aged daughter on her days off.
- Shiraho House Cafe, Shiraho Beach, Taira Store, Yashima Sea -