Photo & Text: Masumi Sasamoto
Photographer Akito Higashizato
Akito Aizato is the co-representative of empty, which handles planning and photography. He plans and directs a variety of photography and events. He started a band in high school and is still active as a musician. While working as a civil servant, he launched "Reverb," a music event where high school students and adults performed together.
- Rural scenery near Kainan village, Nosoko slope, Ibaruma hill, Tonoshiro fishing port red lighthouse, Hamasaki Marina -
Snack bar owner and singer-songwriter Nagisa Hirata
Nagisa Hirata runs a bar called "Nagisa Ni Matsuwaru Etcetera" where she can perform live music, and is also an active singer herself. She is very busy performing at events and hotel shows. She began learning dance at the age of three under her mother, a Ryukyu dance teacher.
- Juhachiban-gai, Ishigaki Beef Tsukesoba Jigorichiren, Tomizaki Kannon-do, Yaeyama Bullfighting Arena, VOLTS COFFEE 730 -
Nature guide Yukihiro Ohama
Ohama Yukihiro, who guides snorkeling and cave tours, is one of the few island guides. He started the tour shop Big Beach 13 years ago with the desire to "share the charm of the island." This time, he was guided mainly to places that give a sense of the history of his hometown Ohama.
- Oyake Akahachi Statue, Oyake Akahachi Monument, Ohama Beach, Oyake Akahachi Footprints, FARM & CAFE Hikari-Rakuen -
Awamori maker Ako Maedomari
Maedomari Ako is in charge of planning, public relations, and sales at her family business, Yaezumi Shuzo, which was founded in 1955. She strives to spread the word about the deliciousness of awamori. She is also active outside of her day job, participating as a speaker at the annual Ishigaki Island Islander Summit.
- Giving tree home, Maibara Yaeyama palm colony, Observation spot between Sakieda and Kabira, Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas THE STAR BAR, Minamihamacho Green Park -
Sailor Kohei Makuta and his wife Mirai, a housewife
Kohei Makuta is the captain of Yaeyama Tourist Ferry's passenger ferry, Southern Eagle, and travels between the Yaeyama Islands every day. He has been a leader of Shinkawa since he was in high school, and actively participates in local events such as the Harvest Festival. He and his wife, Mirai, introduced us to the places they usually go to with their family on weekends.
- Sakieda Sea, Arakawa Falls, Banna Park Children's Play Area, Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, Shinkawa Park -
Singer-songwriter Azuma Rio
Aizato Rio has been performing with his childhood friend Ishigaki Yu as part of the sanshin and guitar unit "Yanawaraba" for 20 years. Currently, he is based in Osaka while raising his children. During a visit back home, Rio showed us around some memorable places on the island.
- The slope of Yaedaka Uramado Street, Big 1, the banyan tree on the grounds of Tonoshiro Community Center, the old remote island pier, and Mirumiru Honpo.
Starry sky guide, Takarazono Hiroyuki
Returning to the island from the city, Hozono Hiroyuki has once again experienced the splendor of the island's nature and is now spreading the charm of the Yaeyama starry sky. He is officially recognized as a "Churaboshi Meister" by the Ishigaki City Tourism Association and serves as a stargazing guide on Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island. We asked Hozono about his recommended stargazing spots on Ishigaki Island.
- Nagura Bay, the coast near Tamatorizaki, Yashima Coast, Miyara Makinaka, Osato -
Veterinarian Hideto Urasaki
Urasaki Suguto is a veterinarian who mainly treats cows. He runs Urasaki Farm Care Support with his wife, who is also a veterinarian, and travels around the island's ranches. He is one of only a few veterinarians on the island who can perform egg collection on cows.
- The river near the Omoto Tunnel, the beach between Kujira and Hirakubo, Mt. Maese, Kijimuna's Kitchen, and the large tsunami rock at Sakihara Park.
Community Manager: Chika Iwakura
He is one of the co-founders of empty, which handles editing, design, photography, planning, and event management. He also serves as vice president of Yaeyama People University, a community that creates spaces for young people on the island, and supports the modern Kumiodori dance troupe Oyake Akahachi, which he was active in during his junior and senior high school days, and is working to enliven the island through a variety of initiatives.
- Kabira Ishizaki Peninsula, Ishigaki Yaima Village, Nagura Dam, Kannonzaki, DRAPEAU Cafe & Restaurant -
Airport ground staff, Miki Shinjo
Miki Shinjo has worked for many years as a ground staff member at JAL Sky Airport Okinawa, Ishigaki Airport. At the gateway to Yaeyama, she works at the counter and guides passengers at the boarding gate. Miki has been learning Yaeyama dance since she was a child, and is active in the local performing arts club and youth association, carrying on local events and the island's traditional culture.
- Peegoro Slope, Ishigaki Airport Pick-up Deck, Miyara Bridge, Funakura Park, Hamasaki Marina -
Taketomi Town employee Motofumi Shinmori and his wife Harumi Shinmori, a nurse
Motoshi and Harumi Shinmori are a married 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, providing physical and mental care to the island's residents. She took us to the places where she and her three boys usually hang out.
- Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum, Kinjo Kamaboko, Banna Park Emerald Sea Observatory, VERA Ishigaki Island Observatory, Nagura Ampal -
Ishimine Ransa, creator of natural shell ginger cosmetics
Ishimine Ransa is the creator of the skincare and fragrance brand "SUNNYTIME," which offers products such as mists and oils made with shell ginger from the island, and also runs the cafe and bulk shop "Atsuu to Ikou." As someone who loves the forest, we spoke to Ransa about her favorite places to relax and her favorite places nearby.
- Furustohara Ruins, Curry & Spice Tamarind Restaurant, Banna Park Firefly Street, Momozono Botanical Garden, Euglena Mall Ginza Street -
Sisters Kazuna Kawai and Miwako Kaneku, who run a fruit parlor
Kazuna and Miwako run the parlor "FARM & CAFE Kourakuen," where they make juices, frappes, baked goods, and more using the island's tropical fruits. They also own a farm where they cultivate guava and dragon fruit. Where do these outing-loving sisters go on their days off?
- Ishigaki Airport Observation Deck, Banna Park, Parking overlooking Kabira Bay, Mount Yarabe, Stargazing at Sakieda -
Frozen fruit shop owner and cow farmer Kazutaka Une
Kazunari Une runs a product business that specially freezes 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 who raises about 15 beef cattle, making him an active young farmer.
- Tropical House, view from the Tomino bus stop, Ishigaki City Hall, Euglena Mall, Ikkyu Shokudo -
Cowherd, Mr. Miyara Hiroshi
Naka Miyara is a calf-raising and Ishigaki beef farmer, raising around 140 head of cattle. He has a strong love for Shiraho, where he was born and raised, and is actively involved in local activities and the preservation of traditional culture. We asked him to introduce us to some recommended spots in Shiraho and the surrounding area.
- Okinawan and South American cuisine Moromiya, Shiraho Village, Airport access road, Churaimo Benikko soba, Nosoko forest road -
Fisherman Naofumi Tarama
Naofumi Tarama is a fisherman who mainly fishes for tuna, including bluefin tuna (genuine tuna), yellowfin tuna, and bigeye tuna. He can even catch bluefin tuna that are several times his own weight using a line hook. What are the favorite places of this tough man of the sea, Tarama?
- Under the Southern Gate Bridge, Ishigaki Fishing Port, PIZZERIA IL TRECORDE, Futanaga Coast -
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 work on posters and signs can be seen all over the island, demonstrating his wide-ranging activities.
- Torinji Temple, Gongen-do Hall, 730 Memorial Monument, OASIS, Banna Park, Mt. Omoto -
Tanaka Hidenori picks up trash every day
After coming face to face with the problem of marine debris, Tanaka has been "earth cleaning" every day between work since July 2020. He goes to the sea before sunrise, to the harbor in the evening, and picks up trash near his home on rainy days. From all his travels, he shared five of his favorite beaches with us.
- Futanaga Coast, Todoroki Coast, Hoshino Coast, Yashima Coast, Nagura Bay -
Sabani carpenter Tomoatsu Yoshida
Yoshida Tomohiro makes Sabani, a traditional Okinawan wooden boat. In 2015, he established a shipyard in Kuura, in the northern part of Ishigaki Island, and now makes all of his Sabani boats by hand. He told us about his favorite places in the nature-rich northern part where he lives with his family.
- Coral reefs off the coast of Kuura, the observation point near the Ainama Stone, Kuura Beach, Hirakubo Elementary School, and the Barringtonia colony in Hirakubo -
Pineapple farmer Masaya Omine
Masaya, the third generation of a pineapple farmer in the lush green village of Kawahara, sells the pineapples he grows under the name "Ma-bo's Pineapple." He's currently raising three children and is busy with both work and childcare. Here are his favorite places to relax.
- My own pineapple field, the slope from Shiraho to Hoshino village, Cafe Smile Field, Ishigaki City Sports Park No. 2 Baseball Field -
Instagrammer Komi Minori
Minori is an Instagrammer and photographer who shares her beloved Ishigaki Island. She loves the island's nature and lives a sustainable lifestyle. Here are her top recommended spots.
- Baraque, Chulatto, Sakieda's Seascape, Akashi Coast, Yachimun Museum -
Musician Mast from Kiyama Shoten
Mast is a member of the three-person entertainment band "Kiyama Shoten." Until now, he had been touring around the country for live shows and hadn't had much time to spend on the island, but he's been able to spend the past year and a half here and has come to appreciate the island's charms once again.
- Noharazaki, Inoda Campground, Akazaki Sea, Miyara Sashimi Shop, and the sea beyond the Southern Gate Bridge -
Wedding producer Kimiyo Nomura
Kimiyo is a producer of a wide range of weddings, from the very large wedding receptions that are unique to islands to resort weddings. We asked her to tell us about the places she often goes to with her elementary school-aged daughter on her days off.
- Shiraho Ie Cafe, Shiraho Beach, Taira Shoten, KOPPARI, Yashima Sea -