Tips · Japan
Ishigaki island hopping: ferries to Taketomi and Iriomote
The JPY 550 airport bus, ferry times and fares to Taketomi and Iriomote, how to pay at each port, Kabira Bay, typhoon season and the 2027 lodging tax.
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Island hopping starts at the Ishigaki Port island terminal
Ishigaki is the main island of the Yaeyama Islands. High-speed boats to Taketomi and Iriomote leave from the Ishigaki Port island terminal in town, and route buses start from the bus terminal in town, so staying in the town center makes getting around easy.
The guide suggests 3 to 4 days, including island day trips. Spend one day on Ishigaki itself (Kabira Bay), one on Taketomi and one on Iriomote.
Sailings are cancelled in rough seas, so keep your island plans flexible.
- Departure: Ishigaki Port island terminal (town center)
- Taketomi: 10-15 min by high-speed boat
- Iriomote: 35-40 min to Ohara Port, 40-50 min to Uehara Port
- Cancelled in rough seas; keep plans flexible
Airport to the port terminal: JPY 550 by bus
From the airport bus stop, take a bus toward the Ishigaki Port island terminal and the bus terminal in town. It takes about 45 minutes (varies by route) and costs JPY 550 one way, or JPY 1,000 for an airport-port terminal return ticket. The direct bus runs roughly every 30 minutes during the day.
Pay in cash or with a contactless credit card; transport IC cards are not accepted. Direct route 14, still listed on the airport site, is suspended from 1 October 2026.
The taxi stand is in front of the arrivals lobby. The airport estimates about 25 minutes and about JPY 3,500 to the port terminal (varies with route and traffic).
- Bus: JPY 550 one way, JPY 1,000 return ticket, about 45 min
- Payment: cash or contactless credit card (no transport IC cards)
- Direct route 14: suspended from 1 October 2026
- Taxi: about 25 min and about JPY 3,500 to the port terminal
Ferry fares and payment: small ports take cash only
The high-speed boats from the port terminal are run by two ferry operators. Return fares include the fuel surcharge and may change.
The Ishigaki counters take cash, cards, e-money, transport IC cards and QR payments, but counters at small island ports such as Taketomi take cash only. Carry some cash.
- Taketomi: 10-15 min, JPY 970 one way, JPY 1,880 return
- Iriomote, Ohara Port: 35-40 min, JPY 2,520 one way, JPY 4,880 return
- Iriomote, Uehara Port: 40-50 min, JPY 3,290 one way, JPY 6,370 return
- Return fares: fuel surcharge included, may change
- Payment: Ishigaki takes cash, cards, e-money, IC cards and QR; small ports cash only
Taketomi: bikes, buffalo carts and Kondoi Beach
Taketomi is 10-15 minutes by high-speed boat from the port terminal. The village of red-tiled roofs, coral stone walls and white sand lanes is a national Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Cycling is the main way around, and the island has several bicycle rental shops. Buffalo-cart tour operators and bike rental shops run free shuttles between the port and the village. Try a 30-minute buffalo-cart tour, then Kondoi Beach, a 15-minute walk from the village, or sunset at the West Pier.
Don't walk around the village in swimwear.
- High-speed boat 10-15 min, JPY 970 one way
- Port to village: free shuttles from buffalo-cart tour operators and bike rental shops
- Buffalo-cart tour: about 30 min
- Kondoi Beach: 15 min on foot from the village
- Sunset at the West Pier
Iriomote: allow a full day for the jungle
Iriomote is the largest of the Yaeyama Islands; over 90% of it is jungle and about 70% is a World Natural Heritage site. High-speed boats take 35-40 minutes to Ohara Port and 40-50 minutes to Uehara Port.
Allow 1-2 hours for a river cruise and a full day for trekking or kayaking tours. Beaches have no lifeguards or jellyfish nets, so take care.
- Ohara Port: 35-40 min, JPY 2,520 one way
- Uehara Port: 40-50 min, JPY 3,290 one way
- River cruise 1-2 hours; trekking or kayaking a full day
- Beaches: no lifeguards or jellyfish nets
On Ishigaki itself: Kabira Bay, where swimming is not allowed
Kabira Bay is Ishigaki's signature view, a national Place of Scenic Beauty with three stars in the Michelin Green Guide. Swimming is not allowed because of black pearl farming.
Instead, glass-bottom boats leave every 15 or 30 minutes without reservations, and the lookout at Kabira Park shows the whole bay. The car park gets busy, so check the city's YouTube live camera first.
Only two buses a day go straight from the airport toward Kabira Park (leaving at 12:15 and 15:00, about 40 minutes); at other times, change at the bus terminal in town. By rental car it is about 30 minutes from the airport.
- No swimming (black pearl farming)
- Glass-bottom boats: every 15 or 30 min, no reservation
- Kabira Park lookout for the whole bay
- Airport to Kabira Park bus: two a day, 12:15 and 15:00, about 40 min
Typhoon season, weather and the accommodation tax
Typhoons often approach from late June to October, peaking in September-October. Flights and ferries to the islands are cancelled, and high waves can extend cancellations after a typhoon passes, so be careful with island trips just before your flight home. Route buses stop when a storm warning is issued for the Yaeyama area, and shops and restaurants may close, so stock up on water and food in advance.
Japan Meteorological Agency normals for Ishigakijima station (1991–2020) show July as the hottest month, with an average high of 32.2°C, and September (259.7 mm) and August (249.8 mm) as the wettest. January is mild with an average low of 16.7°C, but in January-February the north wind makes it feel cooler, so bring a jacket.
From stays on 1 February 2027, an accommodation tax applies at all lodgings in Okinawa Prefecture (2% of the room rate per person per night, up to JPY 2,000). It may be included in booking site payments, so check.
- January: average high 21.5°C / low 16.7°C, rainfall 135 mm
- July: average high 32.2°C / low 27.7°C, rainfall 142.3 mm
- August: average high 32°C / low 27.3°C, rainfall 249.8 mm
- September: average high 31°C / low 26°C, rainfall 259.7 mm
- October: average high 28.8°C / low 23.9°C, rainfall 211.2 mm
- Accommodation tax: stays from 1 February 2027, 2% per person per night, up to JPY 2,000
Plan your Ishigaki trip
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FAQ
How much is the ferry from Ishigaki to Taketomi?
10-15 minutes by high-speed boat from the port terminal, JPY 970 one way, or JPY 1,880 return (fuel surcharge included, may change). The Taketomi port counter takes cash only.
Can I use a transport IC card on the airport bus?
No. Pay in cash or with a contactless credit card. It is JPY 550 one way to the port terminal, or JPY 1,000 for a return ticket. Direct route 14 is suspended from 1 October 2026.
Can I swim at Kabira Bay?
No. Swimming is not allowed because of black pearl farming. Glass-bottom boats leave every 15 or 30 minutes without reservations instead.
Is island hopping OK in typhoon season?
Typhoons often approach from late June to October, peaking in September-October. Ferries are cancelled and cancellations can last after a typhoon passes, so avoid island trips just before your flight home and keep your plans flexible.
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