Tamatorizaki Observation Viewpoint
Rice Paper Butterfly |
Summary of Ishigaki Island
Located between latitudes 24.2 and 25.55 north, and longitudes 122.56 and
124.34, Ishigaki Island is the main travel hub of the Yaeyama Archipelago.
From there you can take a direct flight to Yonaguni Island (the westernmost
island in Japan) and occasionally to Taiwan (these are special charter
flights, so please check with the airline companies for more details).
Moreover, you could hop on a ferry and go to Hateruma Island (the southernmost
island in Japan) or travel to any of the other surrounding islands that
make up the Town of Taketomi (Please see our section on Beautiful Islands).
There are many things to do on Ishigaki as well. Ishigaki City is the largest
in Yaeyama and it is full of delicious restaurants and taverns (izakaya),
bars, night clubs, and venues for traditional Okinawan and Yaeyama music.
Outside of the city, there are many scenic views and places to enjoy the
nature of this sub-tropical paradise. ?
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Ishigaki Island has a subtropical climate that is warm and humid. The average temperature is 24.0 degrees, and humidity is high at 77%.
Due to the Black Stream Current running around Yaeyama Islands, there is very little variation in temperature.
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Ishigaki City is located 411 km away from Naha City, 1,018km away from Kagoshima, 1,952km away from Tokyo and 278km away from its closest neighbor, Taipei city, Taiwan.?Ishigaki City is about one hour by plane from Naha Airport. There are many rental stores (cars, bikes, and motorcycles) to make travel around the island more convenient. Chartered taxis and bus tours are also available.
Because Ishigaki Island has the sub-tropical sea, mountains and rivers, you can enjoy activities such as sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and trekking all year round. Hotels, shopping malls, banks, harbor facilities and the airport are all located downtown. Even though it is an urbanized district, the city is also full of traditional Okinawan houses, the ones with red tiled roofs and beautiful flower gardens.
In addition, you should not miss Kabira Bay, which received three Stars by Michelin Green Guide Japan.
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| History and Culture |
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Sea God Festival
Kyubon Angama |
Ishigaki Island is found within the Okinawa Island chain and it has its own distinct history and culture. Each year it attracts many visitors with its unique traditional events and cultural heritage sites.
A few of the cultural events that are popular in Ishigaki are the Sea God Festival (Hari Festival) and the Harvest Festival (Honensai). The Hari Festival occurs in May while the Honensai occurs on different dates throughout the year. (These festivals are all regional and the dates differ from island to island). At these events, you can experience all of the mystery and greatness that these islands have to offer.
Other popular attractions are the Yaeyama performing arts. This includes sanshin music (a three stringed instrument similar to a Banjo) and Yaeyama traditional folk dance.
Many people return to the Yaeyama Islands because of this unique culture, which is different from the rest of Japan and Okinawa?s main island. These islands have been a popular travel destination for Japanese people but they were not well known to foreign visitors. Recently Lonely Planet, the largest travel guidebook publisher, has elected the Yaeyama Islands as ?The Third Best Secret Islands? in their guidebook ?BEST IN TRAVEL 2011? (published Oct. 2010).
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| Local Tastes |
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Ishigaki Beef
Yaeyama Soba |
In Ishigaki City, tourists can enjoy many kinds of traditional foods including Ishigaki Beef. Ishigaki Beef is famous all over Japan and many tourists seek out the restaurants that offer this tasty meat.
Another popular dish is Yaeyama Soba (a type of noodle). Yaeyama Soba is traditionally made without buckwheat flour, while Japanese Soba is made with it. Most tourists have tried Yaeyama Soba on Ishigaki Island. The locals love it as well, and many restaurants serve tasty variations.
As for the famous ?Awamori?, also know as Okinawan Sake (rice liquor) you will find many variations that are made in the Yaeyamas only. The people here take pride in Awamori because it is usually served at the local festivals. Be careful not to drink too much because it has high alcohol content. The usual way to drink it is on the rocks with ? Awamori and ? water or juice.
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