Located approximately 400 km southwest of Okinawa Island, Ishigaki Island and the surrounding islands are collectively known as the "Yaeyama Islands."
The Yaeyama Islands consist of 10 inhabited islands, including Ishigaki Island, and Ishigaki Island serves as the gateway to them.

From Ishigaki Island, you can travel to the surrounding islands (excluding Yonaguni Island) by high-speed ferry.

Each island has its own unique charm, and I'd love for you to visit them all, but... it's impossible to visit all of them within a limited timeframe!

So, for those of you who are wondering which island to visit, here's a brief introduction to the islands of the Yaeyama archipelago.

Also, to ensure you experience the best of the island in a short amount of time, we'll introduce some must-see spots that you absolutely shouldn't miss!

Please use this as a reference for your island hopping in the Yaeyama Islands!

<Table of Contents>
1. Taketomi Island
2. Kohama Island
3. Kuroshima
4. Iriomote Island and Yubu Island
5. Hatoma Island
6. Hateruma Island
7. Yonaguni Island
8. How to schedule
9. How to get to each island
Summary

1. Taketomi Island

My first island hopping adventure started on Taketomi Island!

Taketomi Island is about a 10-minute boat ride from Ishigaki Island. Boats depart every 30 minutes, so you can easily make a round trip in half a day.

Even if you weren't planning on going to any remote islands, you should definitely visit Taketomi Island!
Although it's the closest island to Ishigaki Island, it has a completely different atmosphere from Ishigaki Island, and retains the traditional townscape of Okinawa.

Transportation options on the island include rental bicycles, shuttle buses, and walking.
It's recommended to take a bus from the port to the village, and then explore the village on foot or by renting a bicycle.

The beach is a bit of a distance from the village, so renting a bicycle is recommended if you want to fully enjoy sightseeing on the island!

Taketomi Island is a must-see!

One of the most popular tourist activities on Taketomi Island is the "water buffalo cart tour."
other,"Nagomi Tower"Kondoi Beach and West Pier are must-see spots!
*Due to deterioration, climbing to and from Nagomi Tower has been prohibited since September 2016.

If you're bringing children, we recommend searching for star-shaped sand at "Star Sand Beach."
"Nagomi Tower" is a photo spot where you can get a panoramic view of the Taketomi Island settlement.

And speaking of Taketomi Island, there's "Kondoi Beach."
Don't miss one of the best beaches in the Yaeyama Islands!

Watching the sunset from the West Pier is a memory to cherish for a lifetime!

Following Kondoi Beach on Taketomi Island, the next most popular spot is "Nishi Pier."

The sunset viewed from the west pier is absolutely stunning, but unfortunately, sunset time is after the last ferry has departed.
If you want to enjoy the sunset from the west pier, you should definitely stay on Taketomi Island.

Taketomi Island is bustling with tourists during the day, but after the last ferry departs, it truly becomes "island time."
As sunset approaches, people naturally gather at the west pier, and it's a moment when you truly feel like you've arrived on the island.

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2. Kohama Island

Visiting the setting of the NHK drama "Churasan"

Kohama Island is about a 30-minute boat ride from Ishigaki Island. It's an island that became famous as a filming location for the TV drama "Churasan," so "Churasan" fans should definitely visit Kohama Island!

Kohama Island is quite hilly, so it's recommended to get around by rental car or motorbike.
There are rental bicycles available, but it's quite physically demanding.

A must-see spot on Kohama Island!

If you come to Kohama Island, the first place you should head to is "Ufudaki," located in the center of the island.
Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view!

Kohama Island is located right in the center of the Yaeyama Islands, and from the summit of Mt. Otake, you can see the islands of the Yaeyama archipelago.
Other recommendations include visiting Sugar Road and the filming locations of the drama "Churasan."

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3. Kuroshima

"Cow Island" has more cows than people! Cycling through the pastures is an irresistible experience!

Kuroshima Island can be reached by boat from Ishigaki Island in about 30 minutes.
Kuroshima is famous as the "Island of Cows," as there are more cows than people on the island.

While it's one of the lesser-known islands in the Yaeyama Islands, it's true that many repeat visitors to Yaeyama are big fans of Kuroshima.
Most of the island is pastureland, and it's a laid-back island reminiscent of the vast natural landscapes of Hokkaido.

Kuroshima has many relatively flat roads, so renting a bicycle is recommended for exploring the island.
I absolutely love the feeling of cycling through the middle of a magnificent pasture!

Kuroshima is a must-see!

The must-see spot on Kuroshima Island is Nakamoto Beach.
This beach is a popular snorkeling spot, and if you go at low tide, the reef becomes a natural pool where you can see colorful tropical fish.

The view of the ranch from Kuroshima Observatory and Iko Pier are also recommended spots.

4. Iriomote Island and Yubu Island

This is the place to go if you want to fully enjoy nature!

Iriomote Island can be reached by boat from Ishigaki Island in about 40 minutes.
It is the second largest island after Okinawa Main Island and has two ports: Ohara Port and Uehara Port.

It's a very large island, so renting a car is essential for getting around.
Buses are infrequent, so be careful when traveling by bus.

Iriomote Island: A must-see!

Image source: Okinawa Monogatari Media Library

The main attraction of Iriomote Island is undoubtedly its "great nature."
There are many hidden gems and plenty of tours available, so to fully enjoy the nature of Iriomote Island, join a tour.

Popular spots include Pinai-sara Falls, Mariyudu Falls, Nakama River and Urauchi River cruises, Hoshizuna Beach, and Yubu Island, which can be reached by water buffalo cart.

You can join a tour after arriving on Iriomote Island, or there are many tours that depart from Ishigaki Island.

We offer a variety of tours, including half-day and full-day options, so please choose a tour that suits your schedule. You'll be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature!

5. Hatoma Island

A hidden gem on one of the Yaeyama Islands! Absolutely recommended if you want to relax!

Hatoma Island can be reached by boat from Ishigaki Island in about 40 minutes.
This is the island where the TV drama "Ruri no Shima" was filmed.

Although it's a small island in the Yaeyama Islands that doesn't get many visitors, the beauty of the sea is exceptional, making it a highly recommended island for those who want to escape from everyday life and relax.

Hatoma Island is a must-see!

Hatoma Island is a really tiny island; you can walk around it in about an hour.

There are small, private beaches scattered around the island, so you can walk around the island, stop by a beach, snorkel, read a book in the shade of a tree, or just relax.

It's a great island for relaxing, with few tourists.

If you go to Hatoma Island, one place you absolutely must visit is the Hatoma Nakamori Lighthouse.
It's a symbol of Hatoma Island, and the view from there is spectacular.

Hatoma Elementary and Junior High School, located along the coast, is also a recommended spot.
Even just strolling through the village on this small island is enjoyable. Day trips are also possible.

6. Hateruma Island

Unsurprisingly, it's the most popular! The "Hateruma Blue" sea is a place you'll want to visit at least once.

Image source: Okinawa Monogatari Media Library

Hateruma Island can be reached by boat from Ishigaki Island in about an hour.
Although it's a distant island from Ishigaki Island, Hateruma Island is the most popular island among repeat visitors in the Yaeyama Islands.

It is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan.
For getting around the island, we recommend renting a bicycle, motorbike, or car.

Hateruma Island is a must-see!

Image source: Okinawa Monogatari Media Library

When it comes to Hateruma Island, the first thing that comes to mind is Nishihama Beach.
From the beauty of the ocean itself to the scenery on the way to the beach and the atmosphere of the beach, this is my number one recommended beach in the Yaeyama Islands.

Other recommended spots include the "Monument to Japan's Southernmost Point" and, at night, the "Stargazing Tower."
Hateruma Island is also famous for being a place where you can see the Southern Cross, so the starry sky is a must-see when you visit. The island is also known for its rare and legendary sake, "Awanami."

While a day trip is possible, Hateruma Island is quite far, taking an hour by high-speed ferry, and ferry cancellations are frequent. Therefore, when planning a trip to Hateruma Island, be sure to allow ample time in your schedule.
It's an island with nothing particularly special about it, but it's strangely comfortable and you could stay there for days.

7. Yonaguni Island

The Yonaguni horses, the vast pastures, and the sunset viewed from Japan's westernmost point are simply amazing!

Image source: Okinawa Monogatari Media Library

There are two ferries a week from Ishigaki Island to Yonaguni Island, but the route is very rough and the ride is quite bumpy, so flying is recommended over the ferry.
The flights are operated by JTA and RAC, and the journey from Ishigaki Island takes approximately 30 minutes.

It's Japan's westernmost island, and the island where the sun sets last in Japan.

Yonaguni Island: A must-see!

Image source: Okinawa Monogatari Media Library

When it comes to Yonaguni, popular attractions include the "Monument to Japan's Westernmost Point," "Diving to Underwater Ruins," and "Yonaguni Horses."
Additionally, the island was used for filming "Dr. Koto's Clinic," and you can see the clinic building itself.

While it's possible to visit the island as a day trip by plane, I recommend staying overnight to fully enjoy the island.
The island is quite large, so it's recommended to get around by rental car or motorbike.

8. How to schedule

The islands listed above are the main Yaeyama Islands that can be reached from Ishigaki Island by boat or plane. All of them can be visited on a day trip.

For first-time visitors to Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island, Iriomote Island, and Kohama Island are highly recommended! If you're new to island hopping, starting with these islands will allow you to fully enjoy your Yaeyama trip!

For those visiting the Yaeyama Islands for the second time or more, and looking for a less-known island destination, Kuroshima and Hatomajima are highly recommended! They're not overcrowded with tourists, making for a truly unique and off-the-beaten-path travel experience.

If you want to fully enjoy nature, you should definitely go to Iriomote Island!
With a wide variety of tours available, you can find one that suits your needs and the length of your stay.

There are also tours from Ishigaki Island, so it's possible to stay for half a day to a full day.
If you want to fully enjoy the nature of Iriomote Island, I recommend staying for about two nights.

And if you have some extra time, be sure to visit Hateruma Island! It's a paradise island that everyone should visit at least once♪

Taketomi Island, Kohama Island, and Kuroshima Island are all close to Ishigaki Island, and there are many ferry services, so if you have half a day to a full day free, you can even visit two islands.
Furthermore, the sea routes to Hateruma Island and Hatoma Island are prone to high waves, so ferry services are often cancelled.

Flight cancellations are especially frequent during the winter months, so we highly recommend booking your stay with plenty of time to spare.

<Reference>
・JTA (Japan Transocean Air)
・RAC Ryukyu Air Commuter

9. How to get to each island

Ferries from Ishigaki Island to the surrounding islands are operated by An'ei Kanko, Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, and Ishigaki Island Dream Kanko.
An'ei Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry are now operating jointly, and passengers can board with a single ticket.
Please check the travel time and operating hours to each island on each company's website.

Additionally, 2-day, 3-day, and 4-day passes are available, making them a cost-effective option for those planning to tour multiple islands.
They are sold by various companies, so please check their websites.

<Reference>
・An'ei Kanko
・Yaeyama Sightseeing Ferry
・Ishigaki Island Dream Tourism

Summary

We've given you a brief overview of the highlights of each island. What did you think?
Many people who visit remote islands just wander around aimlessly and then head home, so I've also included some must-see spots that you should definitely check out.

Enjoy your island hopping adventures however you like, according to the length of your stay. Our goal: to conquer all the islands of the Yaeyama Islands!

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Rakuten Travel
• Jalan net