8/2/2007

Ishigaki is part of the Yaeyama Islands as I has blogged about previously. Do note that I will be writing about the islands within Yaeyama until I am done with them :)

So, Ishigaki (石垣島 -jima Yaeyama: Shikaitu Okinawan: Ishigachi) is an island west of Okinawa Hontō and the second-largest island of the Yaeyama Island group. It is also the name of the main and only city (石垣市, -shi) on the islands. The city functions as the business and transport center of the archipelago. Ishigaki Airport is the largest airport in the Yaeyamas and Japan’s largest third-class airport.

Ishigaki Island, like the rest of Okinawa, takes cultural influences from both Japan and China due to its location between China and mainland Japan.

As Ishigaki is an Island, its main attraction are of course its beach. Kabira Bay is a very beautiful one to start off with - after that you can even go to Sukuji and Yonehara beach where water activities such as snorkeling is desirable because of the beautiful coral reefs in the surrounding waters. You can even check out the only residence of the samurai that is still left intact on the island at Miyara Dunchi. And a curiously Chinese looking monument, which is actually a lavishly decorated grave for over 300 laborers who were massacred during a mutiny raised by the Chinese laborer for being unfairly treated.

How to get there?

You can get to Ishigiki Island via a boat ride/ferry. But since Ishigiki is part of Yaeyama, check out Yaeyama’s orientation page on how to get started. To get around Ishigiki Island, rent a car. Public buses are also available to take you around.