A tropical island idyll… in Japan
Philip Hamilton-Grierson discovers the gentle pleasures of Ishigaki in the country’s far south.
Read moreChoose a month to travel and discover the best places to visit at that time of year...
Compass is an online travel magazine, designed to inspire and inform...
Discover some of the unique benefits of choosing to travel with Cox & Kings...
Ishigaki is the second largest of the Yaeyama Islands, the westernmost part of the Okinawa chain of islands. It is the most populated of the Yaeyama Islands and also the main transport and commercial centre. Ishigaki’s climate, white-sand beaches and relaxed island atmosphere makes it the ideal place to relax after a tour of Japan. For the more active, there is kayaking and cycling, or coral reefs, neighbouring islands and a fascinating culture to explore.
Click on your destination of interest
With year-round temperatures of around 20 degrees and some beautiful beaches, Ishigaki is an ideal place to relax after a tour of Japan. Hiring a car is the best way to explore, and the island is small enough to drive around in a day and visit different places of interest. Off the east coast near Shiraho Beach, there are some pristine coral reefs and excellent snorkelling, or head to Kabira bay on the north coast for a glass-bottomed boat ride across the clear waters. The white-sand Sukuji beach nearby is another popular spot. Mount Omoto in the centre of the island offers an adventurous 2-hour hike to the summit for some superb views, or visit Ishigaki City which is home to most of the islands shops and restaurants, and the small Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum which has exhibits on the history and archaeology of the Yaeyama Islands.
Taketomi is a tiny island of just 5.4 square kilometres, located just 4 kilometres south of Ishigaki and accessible via a 10-minute ferry ride from Ishigaki port. The atmosphere is very laid back, with transport on the island either by rental bike or water buffalo taxi, although many areas can be explored on foot. There are a number of fine beaches here, some traditional Ryukyu-style buildings with their distinctive red-roof tiles, and a folk craft museum displaying local textiles.
Philip Hamilton-Grierson discovers the gentle pleasures of Ishigaki in the country’s far south.
Read moreOrder your copy of the brochure to see the world come to life in print.
© Cox & Kings 2021