City or countryside?
Stay outside the city if you are coming for Ishigaki's sea, mountains and countryside. We recommend hiring a car so you can explore freely.
Choose Ishigaki City if food, music and everyday Yaeyama culture are more important to you. You do not need a car for your whole stay. Hire one for a day, take a taxi or hire a scooter when you want to explore farther.
The city is also an excellent base for ferry day trips. For easy departures, stay within walking distance of the ferry terminal.
Areas outside the city.
Kabira
A good choice if you want nature with a few facilities nearby. Kabira has small visitor-oriented shops, several restaurants and a small supermarket near the bay. Its opening days are limited, so check before relying on it. Allow about 30 minutes to drive to Ishigaki City.
Shiraho
A village setting close to the city, with traditional Yaeyama culture, small neighbourhood shops and several places to eat. It suits travellers who want local life without staying in the centre.
The west coast
Choose the west coast for beautiful beaches and small, quiet coves. Many places are about 25 to 30 minutes from the city, making an occasional visit or ferry trip practical.
Northern Ishigaki
Our choice for unspoilt beaches and real quiet. Facilities and evening restaurants are limited. A resort with its own facilities works well, but so does a self-catering stay with a kitchen if you plan your shopping in advance.
Plan transport and dinner together.
We personally do not recommend staying outside the city without a rental car. Buses are infrequent and do not reach every area. Ishigaki is also hillier and hotter than many cyclists expect, so an ordinary bicycle is not a practical replacement for a car.
Outside the city, small produce stalls and neighbourhood shops may cover basic needs, but their choice and supply are limited, especially in the north. An apartment with a kitchen gives you the option to prepare your own meals.
For more restaurant choice, drive into the city and reserve when there is somewhere you particularly want to eat. If you drink alcohol, take a taxi or let someone who has not been drinking drive.
Day trip or overnight stay?
A day trip is enough for one tour or activity. Stay overnight if you want to explore more of Iriomote or enjoy a quieter, more luxurious stay on Taketomi or Kohama.
Restaurants are limited on the smaller islands, so consider including some meals with your accommodation. There are usually one or two good local restaurants, which we often prefer to hotel dining, so a combination can work well.
Book early during busy holidays.
Accommodation fills quickly and prices rise during the summer holidays, Obon and New Year. Outside these periods, prices are generally more reasonable and there is usually more choice.