Yaeyama Islands
Coral reefs, manta rays and mangrove forest in the far southwest of Japan, with Ishigaki as the main gateway.
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The Yaeyama Islands are an archipelago in the southwest of Okinawa Prefecture, part of the Ryukyu Islands. Ishigaki city is the group's political, cultural and economic center and the main gateway for travelers. Ishigaki and Iriomote are the high islands, with mountains of about 500 meters. Most other islands are low coral islands under 100 meters. Hateruma is Japan's southernmost inhabited island and Yonaguni its westernmost, so the group is the most remote part of Japan from the main islands.
Visitors come for the reefs and the forest. Coral reefs around the islands are good places to see dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays and whale sharks. Iriomote has mangrove forest and the Iriomote wild cat, which lives only on that island. The Yaeyama palm grows only on Ishigaki and Iriomote. There are no bridges between the islands, so you reach each one by ferry or plane. Ishigaki Port is the ferry hub, and Ishigaki, Yonaguni and Hateruma have airports. Typhoons can reach the islands from summer into autumn and disrupt sailings and flights, so leave a few spare days.
Yaeyama Islands in five
- Base yourself on IshigakiThe main airport, the biggest choice of hotels and restaurants, and ferry terminals for every other island are in Ishigaki town.Ishigaki or Iriomote
- Go to Iriomote for one or two nightsIt is wilder and quieter, with mangrove kayaking and waterfall hikes. Ferries from Ishigaki take about 35–50 minutes depending on the port.
- Add Taketomi as a half-dayThe ferry from Ishigaki takes about 15 minutes, with many departures. Kohama is about 30 minutes and works for a day of cycling and beaches.
- Book snorkel and manta trips aheadKabira Bay is the main manta hotspot from May to November, with the best odds reported from July to October. Book early in summer and keep a weather day free.Compare snorkel trips
- Leave a buffer for typhoonsTyphoon risk peaks from August to September and can ground flights and cancel ferries. Choose flexible fares and do not tie the last day to an international flight.
Things to do in Yaeyama Islands
See all attractions in Yaeyama Islands
Need to know
- Getting there
- About 1 hour by plane from Naha; 2 h 45 min–3 h 40 min from Tokyo
- Getting around
- Rental car on Ishigaki and Iriomote; buses are limited
- Best base
- Ishigaki town, with ferries to the other islands
- Time needed
- 3–5 nights; add one for Iriomote
- Ferries
- Two companies, same fares; tickets sold at the terminal
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryCool, windy
- FebruaryCool, cloudy
- MarchMild, calm
- AprilSea opens
- MayRainy season
- JuneRain ends
- JulyManta, hot
- AugustTyphoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberManta, clear
- NovemberMild, dry
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Yaeyama Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 24 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Yaeyama Islands
09:20 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today26°24°27%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed27°23°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu28°23°4%Thursday: Clear. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri25°23°41%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Sat26°24°37%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sun27°23°20%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Mon26°22°48%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 48%.
Updated 06:29 AM local time · 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
Day trips from Yaeyama Islands, the full guide- TaketomiAbout 15 min by ferryOld Ryukyu-style village lanes, cycling and beaches; easy half-day.
- KohamaAbout 30 min by ferrySlow island for cycling, beaches and snorkeling.
- Iriomote35–50 min by ferryMangrove kayaking, waterfalls and jungle; better with a night on the island.Read the guide
- NahaAbout 1 hour by planeThe gateway to Okinawa, Shuri Castle and the Kerama ferries.Read the guide
Before you go to Yaeyama Islands
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Rules for Yaeyama Islands, checked
- Entry rules depend on your passport. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before you fly to Ishigaki Airport.Source
- Declare plants, food and animal products on the Japanese customs form. Officers may inspect bags on arrival.Source
- Do not enter utaki sacred sites without permission. On Aragusuku, non-residents need permission from residents first.
- There are no bridges between the islands. Confirm ferry and flight times before each hop. Hateruma has had no scheduled flights since 2008.
- Iriomote wild cats live only on Iriomote. Do not touch coral or feed wildlife on reef tours, and follow park rules.
All Yaeyama Islands guides
Plan around Yaeyama Islands
The main island: rainy season, typhoons and driving.
Read the guideWhere to stay in NahaOne night in Naha before or after the islands.
Read the guideBest time to visit JapanRainy season, typhoons and the best months for the sea.
Read the guideMoney in JapanCash matters at small island shops and rentals.
Read the guideeSIM for JapanData for maps and ferry updates on the islands.
Read the guideYaeyama Islands FAQ
Is Ishigaki or Iriomote better to stay on?
Ishigaki for most trips: more hotels, restaurants and flights, with ferries to everything else. Iriomote suits a night or two for jungle and kayaking, not a first base.
How many days do you need in the Yaeyama Islands?
Three nights covers Ishigaki with one island trip. Five gives you a manta or snorkel day, an Iriomote trip and a spare weather day. The islands reward slack in the plan.
How do you get to Ishigaki from Naha or Tokyo?
Fly. Naha to Ishigaki takes about one hour, and Tokyo Haneda has direct flights taking roughly 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes.
When can you see manta rays in Ishigaki?
Tour operators report Kabira Bay as the main site from May to November, with the best odds from July to October. Other sites operate in the cooler months, and no trip guarantees a sighting.
Do you need to reserve Ishigaki ferries?
For scheduled boats to Taketomi, Kohama and Iriomote you usually buy tickets at the terminal on the day, with two companies and identical fares. Rough seas can cancel sailings.
What is the best time to visit the Yaeyama Islands?
April, plus October to November, give warm sea with less rain and lower typhoon risk. July is prime snorkel and manta time but hot. Rainy season usually runs May to mid June.