Ishigaki
Ishigaki is known for clear reef water, boat trips in Kabira Bay and beaches. It suits a beach holiday with a few days of sightseeing.
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Ishigaki is the main hub of the Yaeyama Islands, a chain in the far southwest of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The town of Ishigaki sits on Ishigaki Island and has the ferry port and the airport, so most visitors start here before reaching the beaches and reefs by car, bus or boat. The climate is subtropical, and warm, clear water is what draws visitors.
Kabira Bay on the north coast is the best-known stop, with calm water and boat trips over the reef. Beaches around the island are for swimming, and Ishigaki beef and Yaeyama soba are local dishes worth trying. Plan three or four days for the island and one day trip to a nearby island. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Summer is hot and busy, and typhoons can affect travel from late summer into autumn.
Ishigaki in five
- Set up an eSIM before you landFerry timetables, bus stops and map apps need data as soon as you clear customs at Ishigaki Airport. Buy the eSIM before you leave home so it is active on arrival.Phones and eSIM
- Carry yen in cash for small shopsMany small restaurants and island shops take cash only. Bring enough yen for meals and small purchases.Money and costs
- Get an International Driving Permit before you rent a carJapan drives on the left. Rental counters ask for an International Driving Permit along with your home licence, so get the permit before you leave home.Getting around
- Check that your insurance covers water sportsSnorkeling, diving and reef boat trips can be excluded from basic policies. Read the activity list before you book a boat.Travel insurance
- Build a spare day for typhoon seasonTyphoons from late summer into autumn can cancel flights and ferries, including trips to Taketomi and Iriomote. Keep one open day near the end of your trip.
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check MOFA rules before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance, 118 coast guard
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMild, windy
- FebruaryMild, showery
- MarchClearing, mild
- AprilWarm, clear
- MayRainy season
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, swim season
- AugustHot, typhoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberClear, warm
- NovemberMild, clear
- DecemberMild, quiet
Right now in Ishigaki
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 32 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 59%
Ishigaki
07:39 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today26°24°59%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Wed27°24°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu28°23°11%Thursday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Fri26°24°43%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sat26°24°43%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sun27°24°33%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Mon26°23°70%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 70%.
Updated 04:59 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Taketomi Islandby ferry from Ishigaki PortA village of white sand paths and stone walls, reached by a short ferry.Read the guide
- Iriomote Islandby high-speed ferry from Ishigaki PortSubtropical jungle, mangrove rivers and waterfalls; most visitors add a night.Read the guide
- Kabira Bayby car from Ishigaki townA turquoise bay on the north coast, known for glass-bottom and reef boat trips.
Before you go to Ishigaki
Rules for Ishigaki, checked
- Many nationalities enter Japan visa-free for short stays. Check current entry rules on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page before you book.Source
- Customs and plant quarantine check fresh fruit, plants and meat. Declare them on the arrival form.Source
- Drive on the left. Carry your home licence with an International Driving Permit, and check local driving rules with the Japan Automobile Federation.
- The legal drinking age in Japan is 20, and bars and shops may ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or a valid ID.
Plan around Ishigaki
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Japan trip
Read the guideYaeyama IslandsIshigaki, Taketomi and Iriomote in one island route
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries, buses and rental cars between the islands
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and how to enter Japan
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in town, by the port and on the north coast
Read the guideMoney and costsPrices, cards and cash for a Japan trip
Read the guideIshigaki FAQ
Is Ishigaki worth visiting?
Yes, for beaches, reef snorkeling and Kabira Bay, and it is the usual base for ferries to Taketomi and Iriomote. It suits a trip of several days, especially if you want to explore more than one island.
How many days do you need in Ishigaki?
Three to four days covers Ishigaki itself and one ferry trip to Taketomi. Add a night on Iriomote if you want the jungle and river trips, which take more time than a day allows.
How do you get from Ishigaki Airport to the city?
Take a taxi or the airport bus to town. A rental car is useful if you plan to reach the north coast and Kabira Bay.
Do you need a car on Ishigaki?
Buses reach the main towns and beaches but run less often outside the city. A rental car lets you visit Kabira Bay and the north coast at your own pace, but you need an International Driving Permit.
Is Taketomi Island a day trip from Ishigaki?
Yes. The ferry from Ishigaki Port is a short crossing, so many visitors go for the day. Stay overnight if you want the village after the day trippers leave, and check the last ferry back.
When is the best time to visit Ishigaki?
March to April and October to November are the most comfortable months. Summer is hot and humid, the rainy season runs through May and June, and typhoons are possible from late summer into autumn.