Ishigaki serves as the economic and transportation hub of Okinawa’s Yaeyama Islands, the southernmost archipelago in Japan. Interestingly, it’s closer to Taiwan than mainland Japan, giving this tropical island a distinct blend of cultures and a laid-back charm.
The New Ishigaki Airport hosts airlines with direct flights from Okinawa Main Island, major Japanese cities, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, Ishigaki Port connects it to neighboring islands and welcomes visiting cruise ships.
Known for its pristine beaches, vibrant underwater scenery, and panoramic spots, Ishigaki has become one of the choice ports of call among Asian cruises, offering a relaxed day trip experience. If you are pulling a DIY, note that public transportation is limited, so it’s best to book a tourist taxi in advance. More on this later.
Here are some of the best things to do and a sample itinerary to help you make the most of your quick stop on this tropical island paradise.
Things to Do in Ishigaki
1. Ishigaki Limestone Cave
Formed over hundreds of thousands of years, the Ishigaki Limestone Cave offers a fascinating glimpse into an ancient underwater cave. It’s one of the largest limestone caves on the island, extending more than three kilometers, though only about 600 meters are accessible to the public.
Inside, you’ll find a treasure trove of natural formations — stalactites and stalagmites shaped by time and crystal-clear pools and springs. A specific area features colorful illuminations. The air remains pleasantly cool year-round, making it an ideal stop in the summer. Here’s a map of the cave with its points of interest:
Upon exiting the cave, you’ll come across a branch of the popular homegrown ice cream brand, Blue Seal. You can enjoy a scoop or two (JPY 450-800), or you can head straight to the restaurant for a local meal. Since it was still early for us, we opted for a Shiikwaasa-flavored shaved ice with milk (JPY 500), which — aside from refreshing — was surprisingly good! The establishment also doubles as a souvenir shop.
Address: Ishigaki Limestone Cave, 1666 Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Opening Hours: Cave – Daily 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Restaurant – Daily, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Shop – Daily, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Adult, JPY 1200; Children, JPY 600
How to Get to Ishigaki Limestone Cave: Either book a shore excursion package or charter a tourist taxi. Travel time from the port is approximately 15 minutes.
2. Kabira Bay
Situated on the northwestern coast of Ishigaki, Kabira Bay is among the island’s most scenic and most photographed spots. Designated a Place of Scenic Beauty in 1997, it captivates visitors with its white sand beaches, glass-like cerulean waters, and lush coastal surroundings.
To preserve the area and because of the strong current, swimming is prohibited in most beach areas. But there are still plenty of ways to enjoy here, including strolling along the shore, admiring the vibrant marine life through a glass-bottom boat tour, or soaking in the breathtaking view of the bay from a hilltop observation deck. You’ll also find a small 17th-century temple near the lookout point.
Before moving on to your next stop, you can check out the shops and food stalls near the parking area for local souvenirs and snacks.
Address: Kabira Bay, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Glass-Bottom Boat Tour Rate: Adults, JPY 1300; Children, JPY 650
How to Get to Kabira Bay: Either book a shore excursion package or charter a tourist taxi. Travel time from the port is approximately 35 minutes.
3. Ishigaki Yaima Mura
Perched on a small hill overlooking the Nagura Bay on the island’s southwestern coast, Ishigaki Yaima Mura (Ishigaki Yaima Village) transports you back to the olden days of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This open-air theme park and museum is dotted with several well-preserved traditional Okinawan houses, complete with red-tiled roofs, wooden architecture, and coral stone walls that serve as fences.
Other noteworthy attractions in the park include the Makishi Residence, Toomidai, Mangrove Walking Experience, Nagura Ampal, Ashibi Folk Show, Squirrel Monkey Forest, and Nagura Drive-in, where you can stop for a light snack and pick up some souvenirs.
Address: Ishigaki Yaima Mura, 967-1 Nagura, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0021, Japan
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Last entry, 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Adults, JPY 1200; Children, JPY 600
How to Get to Ishigaki Yaima Mura: Either book a shore excursion package or charter a tourist taxi. Travel time from the port is approximately 20 minutes.
4. Euglena Mall
Located near the port area, Euglena Mall, formerly named Ayapani Mall, is a convenient stop for shopping and food trip on the island. Hailed as Japan’s southernmost arcade mall, the complex consists of two parallel streets — Chuo Street and Ginza Street, with the Ishigaki Public Market situated right at the center.
The covered shopping lanes are lined with restaurants, cafés, general stores, souvenir shops, rest areas, and boutiques. This is the perfect spot to pick up and bring home authentic Ishigaki products or local specialties such as awamori, Okinawa’s signature rice liquor.
Address: Euglena Mall, 203 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan
How to Get to Euglena Mall: During our recent cruise stop, shuttle bus services operated between the cruise port and Euglena Mall. If this is your only destination, you can simply hop on this bus. Don’t forget to take a photo of the return schedule. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. The fare is JPY 200, one way. Travel time from the port is approximately 10 minutes.
5. Ishigaki Food Trip
And while we’re on the subject of food, it’s worth exploring Ishigaki’s local flavors. One standout ingredient is shiikwaasa, a native citrus fruit similar to calamansi, though they are not the same. We tried a shiikwaasa-flavored shaved ice at the Limestone Cave restaurant. Meanwhile, many stores in Euglena Mall sell refreshing shiikwaasa juice. You’ll also find plenty of other food products infused with this zesty fruit.
The island is also known for its fresh seafood and Ishigaki beef, which is a special type of wagyu. We managed to hit two birds with one stone when we stopped for lunch at Sabanisen, a cozy local restaurant just a few blocks from Euglena Mall. We ordered Ishigakijima Kinnkai Sashimori, a sahimi platter featuring seven types of seafood, including tuna, squid, and marlin. Each slice was exceptionally fresh with no fishy smell or taste. Some even had a subtle sweetness.
We also had the Ishigaki Beef Nigiri Sushi Plate, which did not disappoint! The beef was juicy, tender, and beautifully marbled. To cap off our meal, we got Brown Sugar Warabimochi, a chewy dessert reminiscent of Japanese mochi and Turkish delight.
Sabanisen Address: 3 Misakicho, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Price: Ishigaki Beef Nigiri Sushi Plate, JPY 2420; Ishigakijima Kinnkai Sashimori, JPY 2387; Brown Sugar Warabimochi, JPY 420
Sample Ishigaki Day Trip Itinerary
If you’re visiting Ishigaki on a cruise port stop, you can still see some of its top attractions within just a few hours. Just note that public transportation is limited, so if you are going the DIY route, the best option is to book a tourist taxi in advance.
We’ve visited Ishigaki on two separate cruise trips and tried two different companies offering short sightseeing tours. Both provided packages lasting around three hours, priced between ¥13,200 and ¥13,500 per car. This usually covers three tourist spots. If the tour go beyond three hours, an additional fee of about ¥4500 per hour applies. Here are the two companies we booked:
- Mitsuboshi Taxi (Three Star Taxi)
Official Website: 3star-taxi.jp
Contact Number: 0980 82 3755 - Karayama Group (Kawarayama/Ishigakijima Transportation)
Official Website: ishigakijima-kotsu.com
Tourist Taxi Reservation: 0980 88 1777
Regular Dispatch Service: 0980 82 4649
Alright! Assuming you are chartering a tourist taxi for three hours, here’s a sample itinerary you can follow. Feel free to adjust the timings or swap out the destinations. Your driver will let you choose the attractions you want to visit.
09:30 AM – Ishigaki Port Cruise Terminal
10:00 AM – Disembark + Tourist Taxi Pick up
10:15 AM – Ishigaki Limestone Cave, ¥1200
11:00 AM – Kabira Bay, FREE
12:00 PM – Euglena Mall + Sabanisen Lunch
01:00 PM – Head back to Ishigaki Port Cruise Terminal
DIY vs Shorex Tour
We’ve visited Okinawa through three cruise lines — StarCruises, Royal Caribbean, and Costa Serena. Whichever cruise line you are sailing with, you’ll have two ways to explore at every port of call:
- SHOREX TOUR. These are group tours arranged by the cruise companies in partnership with local tour operators. Everything is taken care of — transportation, itinerary, and usually lunch. All you need to do is show up on time. Pre-booking a shore excursion is cheaper than those sold on board. Shorex Desk is on Decks 4 and 5.
- D-I-Y. If you’d rather explore at your own pace, you can go for a D-I-Y trip. This option gives you full control over your itinerary and is often more budget-friendly. Just make sure to manage your time carefully because the ship will leave as scheduled, with or without you. It’s always safer to return to the port early to avoid being left behind.
No matter which option you choose, you’ll receive essential details before getting off, including return instructions, port name, and port address. Don’t forget to bring a photocopy of your passport’s biopage, too.
Updates Log
2025 10 28 – First uploaded
Photos by: Asta Alvarez, Yosh Dimen, and Vins Carlos
