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FEB 22 2018

A remote island writer's guide. The tropical paradise of Ishigaki Island: its spectacular views, gourmet food, and souvenirs.

Ishigaki Island is one of the Yaeyama Islands, located about 2,000 km from Tokyo and 400 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa. It is a scenic island surrounded by mountains covered in subtropical greenery and some of the world's best reefs, including Kabira Bay and Shiraho Beach.
This time, Masayuki Sesoko, a writer living in Okinawa and known for his books such as "New Okinawa Travel," will guide us around Ishigaki Island. What does Sesoko, who has visited many remote islands, think is the charm of Ishigaki Island? We will also introduce the best areas to find souvenirs, as well as recommended scenic spots and gourmet food.
Photo and text: Sesoko Masayuki

The center of Ishigaki Island is surprisingly urban

What kind of image comes to your mind when you hear "Ishigaki Island"? Many people may think of a "southern island," "resort," "blue sea," or other images of a tropical country rich in nature. However, the image I have is a little different.

It is the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands, a collection of islands at the southwestern tip of Japan. The island's center has been developed, and there are many shops and hotels, making it highly convenient. To me, Ishigaki Island is a bit more "urban" than the simple image of a "remote island" would suggest. Also, when talking to people on Ishigaki Island, I realize that they don't think of themselves as living on a "remote island." To them, the islands they reach from the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal are the islands they consider remote. That feeling was quite interesting for us from the outside.

画像1: 機内から眺める石垣島

Ishigaki Island seen from the plane

画像2: 機内から眺める石垣島

Ishigaki Island seen from the plane

Enjoy the spectacular view of Ishigaki Island from Hirakubozaki Lighthouse

One of the pleasures of "remote islands" is seeing "breathtaking views" that can't be seen in the city. My favorite place on Ishigaki Island is Hirakubozaki Lighthouse. It's about a 40-minute drive north from New Ishigaki Airport. Hirakubozaki is at the northern end of the island. You park the car and climb a small hill, but it's windy so make sure you keep your eyes on your feet as you climb. When you reach the top of the hill and look back, you can see the panoramic view of the East China Sea. The view here is truly majestic and is moving no matter how many times you see it. Plus, lighthouses are somehow very photogenic. I find myself taking countless photos with the sea in the background.

画像: 平久保崎灯台

Hirakubozaki Lighthouse

Hirakubozaki Lighthouse

addressHirakubo, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
webhttp://www.ishigaki-navi.net/si_hirakubozaki.html

View the starry sky at night at Kabira Bay

Another spectacular sight on the remote islands is the starry sky. Hateruma Island is particularly famous for its starry skies, but Ishigaki Island is also hard to beat. You can get a beautiful view from Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory and Banna Park, both of which are just a short drive from the city, but if you come to the northern part of the island, the city lights are much less noticeable, so you can see the starry sky anywhere. You'll surely be captivated by the dazzling, jewel-like stars that fill the sky.

Speaking of popular spots on Ishigaki Island, there's Kabira Bay in the northwest of the island. The waters boast some of the clearest waters in the world, with a beautiful gradation from blue to green. It's famous as a popular scenic spot bustling with tourists, and in the best season (August to October) it gets pretty crowded, but I think the reason so many people gather here is because of the beautiful scenery. You can also see a beautiful starry sky here, so it's a spot worth remembering as well, as it's a place you can enjoy even after the sun goes down.

画像: 川平湾

Kabira Bay

Kabira Bay

address1054 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
webhttp://www.ishigaki-navi.net/si_kabirawan.html

"Pina Colada" and "Takeda Coffee" are delicacies unique to the island

If you come to Kabira Bay, you should definitely stop by Pina Colada, a small bakery located in a corner of an alley in the village. There are many types of bread, from melon bread to baguettes and simple white bread, so it's fun to choose. The other day I visited, I had sausage bread. It was delicious. About 20 minutes by car west from there, in the Sakieda district, there is Takeda Coffee, a specialty store that grows coffee beans from the trees, where you can drink delicious coffee that is 100% made in Ishigaki Island. I think it's a happy thing to be on a remote island and be able to enjoy delicious bread and coffee that is unique to this island. Recently, many people have become coffee lovers, so coffee beans are a great souvenir.

画像: ピナコラーダの店内

Inside the Pina Colada shop

画像: 武田珈琲

Takeda Coffee

pina colada

business hours9:00~18:00
Closed DayMonday, Tuesday
address836-4 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
webhttp://pclkabira.exblog.jp/

Enjoy a trip at Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal

It's not a tourist spot or anything, but if you ask me what my favorite place on Ishigaki Island is, I would say "Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal" along with a few other candidates. There's nothing in particular there, but I love the atmosphere of this space where travelers wait for the ferry in anticipation of their remote island trip, which makes me feel like I'm on a journey. Immerse yourself in the bustling sounds of the crowd without even listening, and watch the people and ferries coming and going.

画像: 石垣港離島ターミナル(船着場)

Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal (pier)

画像: 石垣港離島ターミナル内

Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal

Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal

address1 Misakicho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture

Watch the sunset at the Southern Gate Bridge

Also, when traveling to Ishigaki Island, you will likely visit other islands, so you will usually end up staying near the remote island terminal. A great spot to visit is the Southern Gate Bridge, a great spot near the terminal. You can see a beautiful sunset, and there is a park just beyond the bridge. Watching a parent and child fishing and spending the evening lazily with the carefree cats, you will feel like you have blended into the daily life of the island, which makes you feel a little happy.

Image: Southern Gate Bridge

Southern Gate Bridge

Image: Southern Gate Park

Southern Gate Park

Find souvenirs at Euglena Mall, the southernmost arcade in Japan

Image: Ishigaki Island city center

Ishigaki Island city center

Ishigaki Island's downtown area is lined with convenience stores, hotels, shops, and other amenities, making it a very convenient place to live compared to other remote islands. There are also large supermarkets and electronics retailers, making it very convenient.

If you're looking for souvenirs, we recommend the area around Euglena Mall, the southernmost arcade in Japan. There are various souvenir shops, including the Ishigaki City Public Market. Other shops include Ishigaki Penguin, which sells everyday items made by craftsmen on and off the island; Shimaai, which does everything by hand, from harvesting, fermenting, dyeing, and dyeing to product development; and Yachimunkan, which has a wide selection of yachimun and folk crafts. There are many unique shops within walking distance, so you can spend the whole day shopping.

Ishigaki Island is rich in nature, but you can also enjoy shopping in the city and it can also be used as a base for touring remote islands. You are free to spend your time however you like. We hope you will find a way to enjoy it that suits you.

Masayuki Sesoko

Editor and writer living in Okinawa. After working as a magazine editor, she worked in print media editing and event planning and management at Tegamisha, before moving to Okinawa in 2012 to become independent. She conveys the charms of Okinawa from her own perspective through editing, writing and photography in various media. She is the editor-in-chief of the tourist information site "Okinawa CLIP". Her books include "New Okinawa Travel", "New Remote Island Travel", "New Hokkaido Travel" (all published by WAVE Publishing), "New Forms of Migration" (Mynavi Publishing), and she has planned and produced "Minna no Okinawa" (Shufunotomosha). Her new book "Ishigaki Miyako Island Travel Guide with Stories" (JTB Publishing) is scheduled to be released on March 16th.
http://masayukisesoko.com

Travel to Okinawa and remote islands with JAL

*Some content was updated on August 9, 2019.

The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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