Oritoori - Ishigaki City Official Tourism Information Website
White sandy beaches and emerald green seas that sparkle with high clarity,
Small islands floating in the blue sea, surrounded by the Omoto mountain range.
People gather from all over the world, drawn to this ocean.
Here, we introduce Kabira Bay, a famous scenic spot on Ishigaki Island, along with photographs taken by Ishigaki Island photographers!
The emerald-green sea, the lush greenery of Kohama, and the white sandy beaches—these are the quintessential elements of Kabira Bay.
3:00 pm / @kei_ishigaki_okinawa
The seas around Ishigaki Island are home to numerous coral reefs. Coral provides an important habitat for marine life and plays a vital role in maintaining the marine environment. When these corals and seashells are crushed, they become white sand, which is then washed ashore by the waves, creating the sparkling white sandy beaches of Kabira Bay.
The pristine white sand extends to the seabed, reflecting sunlight from above and making the surface of the sea sparkle with an emerald hue. Furthermore, the water depth in Kabira Bay drops sharply. This is one of the reasons for the stunning beauty of Kabira Bay, where the beautiful gradation of vibrant blue and deep blue stands out.
This photo captures the smooth, flowing waves against the backdrop of a white sandy beach and crystal-clear seawater.
3:30 pm / @smile_pii
The blue of the sea is said to change depending on the intensity of the sunlight and the angle of the sun, so the recommended isAround noon on a sunny dayWhen there are no clouds blocking the sunlight and the sun is directly overhead, the surface of the sea becomes even more vibrant. At night, the starry sky shines beautifully, and on windless days, the light of the stars is reflected on the water's surface.
The Milky Way viewing season in Ishigaki Island is from July to October. Kabira Bay is separated from the city by mountains, resulting in less light pollution. 8:00 pm / @ooppiiiiii
Located in the village of Kabira in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island is Kabira Bay, a scenic spot that is one of Japan's 100 most beautiful landscapes and boasts one of the highest visitor numbers in Okinawa Prefecture. The surrounding area has a large parking lot and walking paths, and there are also souvenir shops and restaurants, making it a popular spot where many people can enjoy themselves while admiring the beautiful sea.
Before the typhoon, the glass-bottom boats disappeared, leaving only a bare sandy beach.
3:00 pm / @mi1_moonstagram
It's a 30-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport and Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal.
Kabira Bay is located in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island. It's about a 30-minute drive from the airport and Ishigaki city center, crossing mountains along the way. You can enjoy a scenic drive through the rich natural landscape on your way there. Convenience stores and supermarkets are scarce along the way, and the shops in the Kabira settlement are only open on weekends or have limited stock. Be sure to prepare everything you need before you go.
① Kawadaira Park Parking Lot 1
This is the closest parking lot to Kabira Bay.
[Available hours] 7:00-17:00
[Parking Fees] 200 yen for the first hour after entry, 100 yen for each additional hour thereafter.
[Number of parking spaces] Approximately 50
② Kawadaira Park 2nd Parking Lot
This parking lot is located right next to Parking Lot 1. It may be unavailable if Parking Lot 1 is not full.
[Available hours] 7:00-17:00
[Parking Fees] 200 yen for the first hour after entry, 100 yen for each additional hour thereafter.
[Number of parking spaces] Approximately 30
Tips for traveling by car!
Both parking lots at Kabira Bay do not accept cash payments; only credit cards and electronic money payments are accepted.
~Available payment methods~
[Credit Cards Accepted] Visa / Mastercard / JCB / American Express / Diners Club
[Electronic Money] Rakuten Edy / WAON / iD / nanaco / QUICPay
[Transportation-related electronic money] Suica / PASMO / Kitaca / TOICA / monaca / ICOCA / SUGOCA / nimoca / Hayakaken
[Code Payment] PayPay / d払い / auPAY
Kabira Bay is a popular destination for many visitors. Sometimes, the parking lots are full, making it difficult to find a spot. Even on wide roads, parking on the street can cause problems, such as blocking large tour buses and inconveniencing local residents. To ensure everyone has a pleasant experience, please follow traffic rules and refrain from illegal parking!
The nearest bus stop, "Kawadaira Park," can be reached by buses, mainly the Kawadaira Resort Line (Route 9), as well as buses going towards Kawadaira/Yoshihara (Route 7) and Kawadaira/Yonehara (Routes 2, 8, and 11). There are about 10 round trips of buses per day. The Route 11 Yonehara Campground Line, departing at 12:15 and 15:00, is the only route that goes directly from the airport to Kawadaira.
▽For the latest information, please visit the "Higashi Bus" website.
http://www.azumabus.co.jp/
About 4500 yen from the airport
About 4000 yen from the remote island port terminal
When traveling from Kabira Bay to the city center, there are few taxis waiting, so it might be a good idea to call ahead or request a taxi for a round trip rather than just one way.
Right in front of the second parking lot is a charging station for the electric motorcycle service "GO SHARE".
In the morning, before the sun is directly overhead, the water's surface has a gentle, soft appearance.
10:30 am / photo by @nemu__uizz
When you think of Kabira Park, everyone visits the observation deck that offers a panoramic view of the bay. To the left are the white sandy beach and the glass-bottom boat dock, in front of you are the small islands that are characteristic of Kabira Bay, and to the right you can see the black stone dots of buoyster farming floats where black-lipped oysters are cultivated, the only ones farmed in Kabira Bay. Black-lipped oysters are known for producing beautiful black pearls, and Kabira Bay is the first place in the world to successfully cultivate them.
Kabira Village is considered one of the oldest historical areas on Ishigaki Island. Nakama Mitsukeima is a hero said to have once lived in this village. His descendants erected a monument to his birthplace in a park overlooking Kabira Bay. On the back of the monument are the lyrics to an old folk song called "Washi nu Yunta," which was composed by Nakama Sakai, who is believed to be his mother.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of people, Kawadaira Kannon-do Temple possesses a tranquility that feels like another world.
9:30 am / @akito_aizato
This Kannon Hall, a wooden building situated at the top of a stone staircase, is an ancient temple said to have been built in the 17th century.
~The beginning of the Kannon Hall~
It is said that in the past, ships from various countries across the sea would dock at Kabira Bay. One day, a monk from a temple on Okinawa Island disembarked from a ship anchored in Kabira Bay, but unfortunately missed his ship's departure. As he watched the ship recede into the distance, he prayed for a headwind to urge the ship back to Kabira Bay. Immediately, the wind changed direction, and the ship returned just as he had prayed, allowing the monk to safely board the ship and return to his temple. Several years later, the monk, now even more accomplished, remembered that time and returned to the island with an incense burner and a vase, and it is said that he built a Kannon Hall at the very spot where he had prayed to the sea.
Anyone can enter the Kannon Hall and offer prayers. Why not pray for a safe journey at the Kawadaira Kannon Hall, which overlooks Kawadaira Bay?
There are two restrooms in the park and three restrooms in the community facility near Kabira Bay.
There are two restrooms in the park and three restrooms in the community facility near Kabira Bay.
There are restaurants and shops scattered throughout Kabira Park. Many locals have routines, such as "Whenever I go to Kabira Bay, I always eat this!" Here are some of the delicious foods you can enjoy in Kabira Park.
Yaeyama soba is the soul food of the Yaeyama Islands. There are several restaurants serving Yaeyama soba scattered around Kabira Bay. The soup and ingredients vary slightly from restaurant to restaurant, so be sure to find your favorite.
If you're strolling around Kawadaira Park and feeling a little hungry, we recommend sata andagi (Okinawan doughnuts). The salted sata andagi, in particular, is so popular that they sometimes sell 1500 a day! You can enjoy them fresh and hot right there. They also make great souvenirs.
In addition, you can enjoy Ishigaki beef kebab sandwiches and various foods from food trucks that visit on a rotating basis.
For dessert after your meal, you can enjoy delicious shaved ice, ice cream, and other sweets. You can also enjoy Blue Seal ice cream, a famous Okinawan ice cream brand, while overlooking Kabira Bay.
*There are no trash cans in Kabira Bay, so please be sure to dispose of your trash at the shop you used.
Shops, restaurants, and glass-bottom boat ticket offices within Kabira Scenic Park sell island sandals, perfect for enjoying the sea, as well as island souvenirs. Some items are exclusive to Kabira Bay, so be sure to check everything out.
If you go down to the beach, you can take pictures with the beautiful ocean as a backdrop.
3:00 pm / @kei_ishigaki_okinawa
Kabira Bay, where the water depth suddenly increases and the currents are strong, allows you to walk along the shoreline, howeverSwimming prohibitedIt is said that stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking are prohibited within Kabira Park. But you must be curious about what kind of world lies beneath this beautiful ocean, right? If so, then we highly recommend taking a glass-bottom boat tour.
Glass-bottom boats have a glass bottom, allowing you to see the underwater world as if you were swimming. You won't get wet, so you don't need a swimsuit or towel. Anyone from small children to adults can enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride.
Board a boat anchored on the beach and set sail for Kabira Bay! You might encounter large corals that have grown over hundreds of years, colorful fish, sea snakes, and sea turtles.
Several companies offer glass-bottom boat tours in Kabira Bay, all priced at 1,300 yen for adults and 650 yen for children. The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes. Boats depart every 15-20 minutes, and tickets can be purchased without reservation at the boarding information center located in the Kabira Community Center, right next to the parking lot. It's best to complete the boarding procedures before disembarking onto the beach for a smoother experience.
The greenery acts as a frame, making even a cloudy sky look like a painting.
11:30 am / @chikasooooon.photo
Kabira Scenic Park features a variety of nature-rich walking trails, perfect for a leisurely stroll in the shade of the trees. Depending on the spot, the view of Kabira Bay sparkling beyond the trees changes, adding to the park's charm.
Here's a slightly unusual sight within Kawadaira Scenic Park. Please try to find it!
In one location, there is a manta ray made from a banyan tree. The manta ray is always beautifully shaped and has become a very popular photo spot for children.
The wave patterns are clearly visible.
@fill.toyo
Because the seawater is so clear, you can photograph the unique patterns created by the shadows of the waves. Swimming is prohibited, but if you watch the shoreline, you can see fish.
In one area of the park, there are several Shisa statues that can be used as chairs. They have been there for decades, watching over Kabira Bay for a long time.
There are several roads leading to Kabira Bay. There's a tunnel that makes you want to run out onto the sandy beach.
Kabira Bay, like a scene from a movie. A prime spot.
@ryo0913
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