[2025 Ishigaki Attraction] Travel Guide for Kabira Bay (Updated Jul)

I'm glad I actually went. I've compiled a list of recommended spots on Ishigaki Island! Kabira Bay and Tamatorizaki were really beautiful on a clear day, even in winter! 🥹 If you are planning to go this year, please save it and go🙆♀️ ① Kabira Bay ▶︎ Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture ⁡ ② Tamatorizaki Observatory ▶︎ Ibaruma, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture ⁡ ③ Taketomi Island ▶︎ Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture ⁡ ④ Nosokodake ▶︎ Nosoko, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture ⁡ ⑤ Hirakubozaki Lighthouse ▶︎ 234-50 Hirakubo, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture ⁡ ⑥ Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave ▶︎ 1666 Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture ⁡ ⑦ Fusaki Beach ▶︎ Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture ⁡ ⁡ #Ishigaki #Ishigaki Island Hotel #Ishigaki Island #Ishigaki Island Trip #Ishigaki Island Tourism #Okinawa Prefecture #Okinawa Trip #Remote Island #ishigakitrip #okinawatrip #I love traveling #Ishigaki spots #Ishigaki gourmet #Ishigaki island gourmet #Ishigaki island spots #Domestic travel strategy

#0yentrip #Okinawa #Okinawatrip #IshigakiIsland #IshigakiIslandtrip #sea When you ask locals which sea is the most beautiful in Ishigaki Island, many will answer #KabiraBay The sea is so blue and beautiful with excellent transparency that you can't swim in it But #KabiraBayGlassBoat, which you can experience even if you book on the day, is very popular and you can see the extremely transparent waters of Kabira Bay from a close distance from the boat, and it's a wonderful activity where you can meet many fish. And the fruit shakes and open sandwiches at "Theshake" in Kabira Bay are so delicious that you should definitely try them when you go to Kabira Bay!

#0yentrip 🌊Emerald green ocean and white sand beach Kabira Bay, located in the northwest of Ishigaki Island, is one of the most popular tourist spots on the island. The picturesque scenery is worthy of being called the "Jewel of Okinawa." 🚢Take a ride on a glass-bottom boat to see the ocean floor The charm of Kabira Bay is its beautiful ocean. You can get on a glass-bottom boat and observe colorful fish and coral reefs up close. In particular, the small island called "Niraihana" in the bay is called "Love Island" because it looks heart-shaped, and is popular as a romantic spot. 🚢Take a pleasure boat and enjoy the spectacular view It is also recommended to take a pleasure boat and enjoy the view of Kabira Bay from the sea. The view of the bay from the boat is truly spectacular. Access━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Car: About 30 minutes from Ishigaki city Bus: There is a bus to Kabira Bay #Kabira Bay #Ishigaki Island #Okinawa #Amazing view #Okinawa tourism

#Sakura2024 A spectacular spot that you definitely can't miss on Ishigaki Island! Kabira Bay. The sea of ​​Ishigaki Island is beautiful everywhere, but Kabira Bay has the most beautiful emerald green with outstanding transparency! The glass boat here is a recommended activity where you have a high chance of meeting sea turtles 🎵 There are always many glass boats in operation, so it is relatively easy to make a reservation at the last minute 🎵 You can also make a reservation after checking the weather 🎵 Glass board reservation ↓ 📍 Marine House Gurukun Ticket 🎫 Adult: 1,300 yen (reserve from Gurukun's website for a discount!) Recommended: Free parking available for glass board users! 📍Kabira Bay Address: 934 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture Access: Rent a car Cost: Parking is charged, but it's free if you use the glass boat Recommended points: The boat has a roof, so it's safe even on rainy days ⚠ Caution: You'll be facing downwards the whole time, so if you get seasick easily, it's best to take some medicine to avoid seasickness #Ishigaki Island Trip #Kabira Bay #Kabira Bay Glass Boat #Ishigaki Island Tourism #Ishigaki Island

I've put together a list of 7 spots on Ishigaki Island that I actually enjoyed visiting 📝 ① #Milmilhonpo A gelato shop on top of a hill! They recommend flavors unique to Okinawa, such as euglena and brown sugar ② #KabiraBay I recommend the glass-bottom boat ✨ I saw a sea turtle ~ ③ #Tamatorizaki Observatory ④ #IshigakiCityPublicMarket All kinds of Okinawan gourmet food gathered here ♪ ⑤ #FusakiBeachResort ⑥ Genki Ishigaki SakaiShoten ⑦ #ShisaFarm A huge amount of shisa ornaments have appeared!! I rented a car and went around in one day ♪ I hope this will be helpful for your trip to Ishigaki Island!

This time, I will introduce "Kabira Bay" on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture. When you think of Ishigaki Island, this is the place to be! This popular spot has a blue color called "Kabira Blue". The contrast with the red hibiscus is wonderful. You can walk along the sandy beach and promenade, and enjoy the whole view from the observation terrace. You can also take a ride on a boat called a "glass boat" at Kabira Bay. As the name suggests, this boat has a glass floor, so you can easily observe the bottom of the sea. You can see colorful coral, and if you're lucky, you can even see sea turtles swimming. It's a little far from Ishigakijima Bus Terminal, about 40 minutes, but it's worth a visit, so please go♪ ※It is also the only black pearl farm in Japan, and swimming is prohibited in this area. #OkinawaTourism #OkinawaTourism #IshigakiIsland #IshigakiIslandTourism #IshigakiIslandTrip #KabiraBay

Visited in June 2023 *Kabira Bay (SUP) 934-37 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa There are many activities you can enjoy on Ishigaki Island, but this one is also recommended for a relaxing time✨ There are many points you can enjoy, but this time we went to Kabira Bay😊 Even though it is called Kabira Bay, the famous Kabira Bay is not open to swimming, so this place is called Ura-Kabira, even though it is the same Kabira Bay☺️ It is hard to find, so it is best to go with a guide✨ The weather was not so good, but it was still nice~🥰 We enjoyed it at a leisurely pace🙌 #OkinawaTourism#777 #IshigakiIsland #IshigakiIslandTourism #IshigakiIslandTrip #IshigakiIslandActivity #Activity #sup #KabiraBay

Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture is a true tropical resort with one-of-a-kind stunning beaches and unique marine ecology. Kabira Bay is listed as one of the 100 most famous landscapes in Japan. Although you can't swim with the marine life in this world-famous bay, you can take a glass-bottom boat ride to admire the unique corals and colorful fish. Take a stroll along the long stretch of beach and discover the stunning scenery at every step, and for a complete sea view, visit Kabira Park which overlooks the bay. There are nine uninhabited islands around the beach, which can be reached by tour boat. There are also special plants unique to Okinawa. If you want to appreciate the natural ecology of the island, the best way is to spend an afternoon traveling between the islands. However, be aware that the tides change rapidly, and if you put your backpack down for photography, the tide may wash it away. In addition, there are boutiques selling black pearls, providing a wide range of choices for you to find the most suitable souvenir. Attraction Information Address: Kabaira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture Tickets - Business Hours: Glass Boat 9:00-17:00 Closed - Official Website - Best Season: All Year Round Tips: The sea is clear and transparent, but swimming is prohibited here. Winter to early spring is the best time to avoid the cold or typhoons. Other beaches are open for swimming, so if you want to play in the water, it is recommended to go there in summer.

* Ishigaki Island/ Kabira Bay. Amazing view. Storm. Bad weather!! 🤣 It's cloudy but so pretty. If it was sunny, it would definitely be amazing. After taking lots of commemorative photos, we went to Tropical Cafe Masu, which is near the parking lot. Marija soft serve and freshly fried salted sata andagi were delicious♡ #Kabira Bay #Kabira Bay Beach #Kabira Bay Cafe #Beach #Ishigaki Island #Ishigaki Island Gourmet #Ishigaki Island Trip #Ishigaki Island Tourism #Ishigaki Island Cafe #Trip#Travel#Okinawa Tourism#Okinawa Trip

It takes about an hour to drive from "Seven Colors Ishigaki Island" to "Kabira Bay". I found that the buildings on Ishigaki Island have no Japanese style at all. Most of them are square bungalows, and there is no Japanese main house like in "Doraemon". Some say it looks like Chinese architecture, but I think it looks more like Korean architecture. We arrived at Kabira Bay, a bay with clear water and fine sand, and calm winds. Here you can take a glass boat to see the corals and sea sheep in Kabira Bay. We randomly chose a glass boat company, bought the tickets, and walked to the beach to wait for boarding. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes. We first watch from the nearshore position, and then slowly sail out to a deeper position, watching the seabed from shallow to deep, and also see the fish gradually getting bigger, and we also see sea turtles. The 30-minute boat ride was over in a blink of an eye, but it was still worth the visit. #Kabira Bay Kabira Bay

This time, we will introduce you to Kabira Bay, a spectacular spot on Ishigaki Island! ︎🏖☀️ The clear blue sea and white sandy beach are incredibly beautiful, and the green islands further enhance the tropical feel☺️✨ Swimming is prohibited in Kabira Bay, but you can enjoy the underwater scenery from a glass boat🐠‼︎ Just walking along the beach while looking at the beautiful scenery was enjoyable😆✨ Please be sure to relax with the beautiful scenery of Kabira Bay Beach🌟✨The scenery is sure to make you want to visit again and again☺️✨ Address: 934 Kabira, Ishigaki City, 907-0453 #OkinawaTourism #KabiraBay #IshigakiIsland

Address: Kabira Garden, 917-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture Atmosphere/Facilities: A restaurant where you can enjoy kebabs, taco rice, shaved ice, etc. on the terrace seats near Kabira Bay🌟✨ A cute little restaurant with umbrellas that are typical of Okinawa😊✨ Recommended points: The kebabs made with Ishigaki beef were very delicious and the seasoning was excellent☺️✨ And no wonder, they even won a takeout contest😆✨ And the meat in the taco rice was delicious, but the vegetables were also very good🤭‼︎ Average price: 1000 yen to 1999 yen Budget per person: 1300 yen Rating: 3.7 #OkinawaTourism #IshigakiIsland #KabiraBay

🍁🍁Autumn Okinawa Trip 10/6🍁🍁 Address: Kabira Garden, 917-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Atmosphere/Facilities: There is terrace seating, and each table has a sunshade umbrella and electric fan, so it's cool✨ Recommended points: Kebabs made with generous amounts of Ishigaki beef, taco rice made with plenty of Ishigaki Island vegetables, grilled Ishigaki beef skewers, etc. are all delicious and recommended✨ Average price: 1,000 yen to 1,999 yen Budget per person: 1,300 yen Rating: Overall rating ⭐3.9 🍁✨Of course, the townscape of Ishigaki at night under the autumn sky is also beautiful✨🍁 #AutumnTrip #Gourmet

🍁🍁Autumn Okinawa Trip 10/6🍁🍁 Here is what I recommend this time✨ Here is the view of Kabira Bay from above✨ Address 934 Kabira, Ishigaki City, 907-0453 The floating boat is a tour boat, and if you go down to the basement inside the boat, the bottom is a skeleton, and the system is set up so that you can see the fish all at once✨ There are many tour companies, and the average budget was about 3500 yen✨ The sea that you can see up close is also clear and beautiful, so I recommend it✨ There are paid parking lots nearby and free parking lots a little further away✨ 🍁✨Of course, the townscape of Ishigaki at night under the autumn sky is also beautiful✨🍁 #AutumnTrip #BreathtakingView

🍁🍁Autumn Okinawa Trip 10/6🍁🍁 Address: 917-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Atmosphere/Facilities: Located in a section of the street stalls near Kabira Bay✨ Recommended points: The freshly fried sata andagi are bite-sized, and you can enjoy them at a great price if you order them with a drink✨ The salted sata andagi are moist and chewy, and the drink with tropical fruits is refreshing and recommended✨ Average price: ~999 yen Budget per person: 600 yen Rating: Overall rating ⭐3.5 🍁✨Of course, the Okinawan townscape at night under the autumn sky is also beautiful✨🍁 #AutumnTrip #Gourmet

Kabira Bay, located in the northwest of Ishigaki Island, is a famous tourist attraction on Ishigaki Island and is also one of the 100 most scenic views in Japan. Kabira has white sandy beaches and clear waters. The stunning scenery is breathtaking. When you come to Kabira Bay, you can take a glass boat out to sea to feel the clearness and transparency of the ocean and see various tropical fish and coral reefs. Although Kabira Bay has a snow-white sand beach, swimming is prohibited in Kabira Bay. #See the Earth in an instant

This is an introduction to Kabira Bay, the beach that is synonymous with Ishigaki Island. The emerald green sea is beautiful, and the color of this sea is called "Kabira Blue". You can also ride a boat called a "glass boat" at Kabira Bay. As the name suggests, the boat has a glass floor, allowing you to easily observe the bottom of the sea. I was the first to board, but if you board first, you end up at the very back, making it difficult to see through the glass. I recommend boarding a boat a few steps from the front. I was lucky enough to see some sea turtles swimming. #OkinawaTrip #KabiraBay #KabiraBayGlassBoat #AmazingViewOfKabiraBay #IshigakiIsland

#OverseasTravel #JapanTravel #Okinawa The sea of ​​​​blue-green gradient formed by different shades of blue and green is endless ➡️➡️ is "Kawahira Bay" located on Ishigaki Island ✅ Kawahira Bay is located on the northwest edge of Ishigaki Island ✅ About 40 minutes drive from the city center ✅ Selected as one of the 100 scenic spots in Japan ✅ Okinawa's most representative scenic spots ✅ Has world-renowned, extremely transparent sea water Nearby activities ➡️ Enjoy the colorful coral reef and tropical fish swimming glass boat 😍😍

What are the recommended tourist spots in Ishigaki Island? When you search for this, Kabira Bay almost always comes up. This is a spot you should definitely visit on a sunny day. The blue sky and beautiful sea are exquisitely beautiful. Swimming is prohibited in this bay, but you can see the ocean from a glass-bottom boat. *Kabira Bay 907-0453 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture #Breathtaking views #Okinawa trip #Okinawa sightseeing #Remote island trip #Recommended list #Ishigaki Island #Ishigaki Island sightseeing

"Kabira Bay" in Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture Kabira Bay is the most famous spot on Ishigaki Island🏖 Glass-top tour boats are moored here, and the blue sea, sky, and nature match up to create a beautiful spot✨ Swimming is prohibited, but it's worth visiting just to see, so please do. #SummerShortTrip #JapanGenkiProject2021 #IshigakiIsland #Okinawa #RemoteIslandTrip #SeasideScenery #SummerShortTrip#BreathtakingView

Kawahira Bay, one of the 100 scenic spots in Japan #Local Tour If you go to Ishigaki Island, you must not miss Kabira Bay, known by the Japanese as the representative husband of Little Mal. As soon as you get off the bus, the blue sky and white clouds and the clear sea are right in front of you. Schools of fish swim back and forth on the bottom of the sea. The beautiful scenery like a painting is right in front of you. I hope the epidemic will end soon, so I can visit Ishigaki Island again with my family soon. I miss being able to drink Okinawa pineapple🍍 ice while slow walking on the beach in Kawahira Bay. Although you can't get into the water in Chuanping Bay, you can sit Glass boat admiring corals and capturing free-spirited sea turtle figures. There are also souvenirs and snack shops near the beach after going to the beach for easy resupply. Address: Kawahira, Ishigaki, Okinawa Facilities: Glass boat 0900-1700 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #I miss #Japan Travel #Sea Island Vacation #Ishigaki Island #Kawahira Bay #photography hotspots

More impressive than a guidebook. Kabira Bay. Kabira Bay often appears on the cover of guidebooks for Ishigaki Island. I had always thought it was a heavily edited, fabricated view, like the ones you often see in photos. When I actually saw it in front of me, it was truly blue and beautiful. The color of the blue changes depending on the time of day, so it's a view I want to look at forever. If you ride a glass-bottom boat, you can see the underwater creatures. You can also view it from a nearby cafe. #KabiraBay #Kabira #IshigakiIsland #AmazingView #RemoteIslandTrip #Okinawa #AmazingNature #AmazingView

China Airlines and Tiger Airways both have direct flights to Ishigaki Island. In addition to the main island, it is highly recommended to fly to Ishigaki Island when traveling to Okinawa! ! Kabira Bay is famous for its glass-bottomed boats and transparent SUPs. You can see the marine ecology under the clear water. You can buy tickets for the glass-bottomed boat at any shipping company in the parking lot. It is recommended to make an online reservation for SUP first. If you are just here to take pictures like us, it is also possible~ No entrance fee is required. It is about 30 minutes drive from Ishigaki City and 30 minutes from the airport. 📍Address: 827-8 Kawaihiranchihara, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 🚗MAP CODE: 366 422 759 💰Per capita consumption: Parking fee 200 yen #Kabira Bay #Okinawa #Ishigaki Island #July Good Place 2025

#summervacay Ishigaki Island is in the southern part of Japan, known for its clear blue waters and peaceful surroundings. We visited some quiet beaches, enjoyed the ocean view, and tried fresh local food by the shore. Kabira Bay was one of the highlightscalm, beautiful, and relaxing. It’s a simple island with a warm, friendly vibe. If you want a calm place in Japan to enjoy nature and good food, Ishigaki is worth a visit.

Sharing the “photogenic × reward” route that impressed me on Ishigaki Island✨ Perfect for those who want to enjoy photography, gourmet food, and nature🌞 ① Kabira Bay Swing🌊 Paddle the swing toward the sea, and see a movie-like view right in front of you...💭 ② Kabira Bay Observatory × Ishigaki Beef Croquette🥔 Eat local gourmet food while looking at the spectacular view, this is the luxury of an island trip! ③ Gelato from Mirumiru Honpo🍦 Limited flavors that can only be eaten here! Gelato while looking at the sea is the best combination🌴 ④ Hiking and spectacular views at Nosoko Marape⛰️ A gentle climb of 20 to 30 minutes each way. The view from the top is impressive... it's so refreshing🌿✨ ⸻ Every spot is not only photogenic, but also an experience that can be enjoyed with all five senses🫶 The best way to relax and explore the area is to rent a car and spend the whole day there! The charm of Ishigaki Island is truly limitless...🏝️ 🗺️Ishigaki Island Photogenic Route Map (1-day model) 1. Depart: Ishigaki City If you leave early in the morning, you can take your time taking photos at every spot📸 2. Kabira Bay Swing (about 30 minutes) A great spot for photos first thing in the morning! It's empty, so it's a great spot to aim for. 3. Kabira Bay Observatory (10-minute drive) After the breathtaking view, warm up with some Ishigaki beef croquettes🐂 4. Milmil Honpo (10 minutes from Kabira Bay) Slowly enjoy limited-edition flavored gelato while looking at the cape🍦 5. Nosoko Mape (30 minutes by car) Enjoy the impressive panoramic view with a light hike (20-30 minutes round trip)⛰️ 6. Return: Return to the city (about 40 minutes by car) It is also recommended to buy souvenirs around Ishigaki Port🛍️ ⸻ ✔️Summary of points • Start early in the morning to avoid the crowds⏰ • Enjoy a variety of "photogenic experiences" at random, including swings, observation decks, gelato, and hiking! • Traveling by car is recommended: each spot takes about 15-30 minutes, so you have plenty of flexibility ◎ • If necessary, we can also create a time-saving route or add night view spots, so please feel free to do so 🌙✨

A recommended plan for island lovers who visit Ishigaki Island three times a year ✨️ Mainly featuring shops that you visit repeatedly 🔁‼️ ✅Day 1 Feel the Okinawan vibe with rare fruits 🍍✨️ 📍Parlor Papaya 491 Fukai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0451 8:30-17:00 (closed Wednesdays) You can taste seasonal handmade fruit juice 🍹 Try a tropical fruit you've never heard of! A spectacular spot you can't miss if you come here 👑 📍Kabira Bay Ride a glass boat and take some cool photos 📸 The gradation of the sky, sea, and sand is too beautiful 🏝 A popular shop known only to those in the know 📍Ishigakijima Salt Sata Andagi Tropical Cafe Mas 917-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0543 Tropical Cafe Mas next to Kabira Garden 9:00-18:00 Right near the parking lot of Kabira Bay 🅿️ Make sure to take it with you on your drive ☕️ Feel the cute squirrel monkeys and Ryukyu culture 🌺 📍Ishigaki Yaima Village 907-0021 967-1 Nagura, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 9:00-17:30 Must see the squirrel monkeys, so cute you'll want to come back again and again🐒 Must check out the feeding time⏱ My personal Michelin star✨️It's so delicious that I go here just for this 📍Arakawa Shokudo 2376-16 Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0024 11:00-15:30 (closed Sundays) The beef soba, which won the Grand Prix, is an exquisite gourmet dish that can only be enjoyed here🍜 Don't forget to top it with mugwort and raw garlic! The fried chicken is also popular, and it's huge! Crunchy! Juicy! It's hard to make a reservation, but don't give up!! ️ 📍Hitoshi Ishiganto Store 197-1 Okawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, 907-0022 16:30-23:00 A popular store that is said to be out of reach when it's hard to get through on the phone, but in fact, if you go right after opening on the day, you can often get in, so give it a try👍 🏨If you want to enjoy the resort atmosphere, there are prestigious hotels, but if you don't have any particular preferences, I recommend the Misakicho area💡 A city area with plenty of bars and izakayas that are open until the morning🍹 ✅Day 2 A must-see is the popular🐮🥛limited goods that let you feel the sweetness of milk🫶 📍Genki Shop Ishigaki Misakicho Main Store 907-0012 9-1 Misakicho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 10:00-21:30 Orion T-shirts are very popular on the main island of Okinawa, and Genki-kun T-shirts are very popular on Ishigaki Island👕👚 You can get matching ones, different colors, or souvenirs, so please buy them✨ You can also buy cute stickers♡ Ishigaki Island's soul food, delicious no matter how many times you eat it 📍Chinen Shokai 1249-18 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 907-0004 7:00-19:00 Combine crispy and fluffy chicken fillet fries with your choice of furikake rice balls and pour sauce over them to finish🍙 It's so delicious you'll want to eat it every day🤤 Tabelog's top 100 restaurants, a fizzy and melt-in-your-mouth omelet 📍Shunko Banchan 907-0242 13-1 Shiraho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture 8:30-13:30 (closed Wednesdays and Thursdays) 🈁Reservation required Online reservation required in advance📱 Delicious tamagoyaki that many celebrities visit🥚 You can choose meat or fish as your main dish, and it's so filling that you can take it home🙆♀️ A hidden beach with a beautiful contrast of blue and white 📍Shiraho Beach A scenic spot within walking distance from Shunko Banchan✍️ You might want to stop by before going to Banchan◎ #domestictravel #trip #Okinawa #Ishigakijima

Ishigaki Island was too good 🌞💙 The sea was so beautiful that I wondered if it was even a sea 👀❤️ 📍Kabira Bay The emerald green was amazing! I was able to see a lot of fish from the glass boat, and all I could say was "wow" and "beautiful" 😂 📍Taketomi Island I was rocked leisurely in a water buffalo cart, I raced down a white sand road on a bike, and was completely soothed by the traditional Okinawan scenery 🌺 Everything was so amazing that it can't be conveyed in a photo ✨ I was thinking "I'll definitely come again" even before I left. lol Anyway, if you want to be soothed I highly recommend Ishigaki Island 🙏 One of the reasons I recommend it is that you can easily go to remote islands ☺️ #Domestic Travel Strategy

#cityplaybook #familytrip #localguides #stunningview Post: Closer to Taiwan than Tokyo, Ishigaki Island is where Japan reveals its tropical soul. As the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki is alive with coral reefs, jungle trails, and a deep-rooted Ryukyuan culture that sets it apart from the mainland. I began my journey with a visit to Kabira Bay, arguably one of Japan’s most breathtaking sights. With emerald-green waters, white-sand coves, and traditional glass-bottom boats drifting quietly, it felt like a watercolor come to life. Swimming isn’t allowed here, but just standing and taking it in was enough to stir the soul. For snorkeling and diving, Yonehara Beach was a dream. The reefs were close to shore, teeming with tropical fish and vibrant coral. Even with minimal gear, I was immersed in an underwater wonderland. If you're a diver, manta ray encounters at nearby Manta Scramble are legendary. Inland, I trekked to the top of Mount Nosoko, a relatively short but rewarding hike with sweeping views of the island’s rugged coastline and sugarcane plains. The landscape is wild, green, and peaceful—perfect for resetting the mind. Back in town, Ishigaki City buzzed with local life. I sampled Ishigaki beef—rich, tender, and unforgettable—at a family-run izakaya, then strolled through the Euglena Mall, where artisans sold everything from shisa lions to handmade textiles. The vibe here is friendly and proudly local. Best Time to Visit: March to May or October to early December—pleasant, warm, and outside the summer typhoon season. July to September is best for diving, but comes with more heat and humidity. Helpful Tips: Rent a car or scooter to explore the island at your own pace. Consider day trips to Taketomi, Iriomote, or Hateruma—each has its own character. Sunscreen, bug spray, and reef-safe swimwear are musts for comfort and preservation. Location: Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan Hashtags: #IshigakiIslandVibes #KabiraBayViews #TropicalJapan #YaeyamaAdventure #IshigakiBeef #SnorkelParadise #IslandTimeJapan #OkinawaEscape #HiddenJapan #RyukyuSpirit

Small island south of Okinawa