Ishigaki

Ishigaki Island is the most populous of the Yaeyama Island chain's islands. Despite the fact that much of the island is covered in dense subtropical vegetation, it has well-established accommodations, a fully developed city, and an airport. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park includes the island.

Ishigaki Island is relatively easy to reach thanks to direct flights from major Japanese cities, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong, and Ishigaki Port serves as a gateway to the other islands in the Yaeyama Island chain. With a circumference of 160 kilometers, visitors exploring the island by car will need a full day to complete the circle. The observatories and lighthouses on Ishigaki Island provide unparalleled views of the ocean and spectacular sunsets. On a tour of the island, you can stop at Tamatorizaki Observatory on the east side or Hirakubozaki Lighthouse on the island's northernmost tip. Panoramas of the island's mountains and turquoise coastal waters can be seen from Nosokodake Observatory.

The most popular water activities on Ishigaki Island are swimming, snorkeling, diving, and glass-bottom boat tours. On boat tours in Kabira Bay, visitors can take in the scenery of white sand beaches, blue waters, pretty islets, spectacular coral, and tropical fish.

• Location: Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
• Best time to visit: June to October