If I needed to describe paradise, it might be a spot the place the steel-blue sky kisses the turquoise-blue sea, framed by white sand, the plush inexperienced of nature, and distinctive rock formations.
Welcome to Ishigaki in Japan!
Right here’s an outline:
What strikes me about Ishigaki Island is its purity and unspoiled magnificence. Nowadays, there are only some locations on this planet that also provide such a factor.
Ishigaki is just not but overrun by vacationers and is extra ceaselessly visited by Japanese and vacationers from different Asian nations. For us Europeans, it’s nonetheless extra of an undiscovered nook of the world. The folks of Ishigaki are completely satisfied and contented, modest and pleasant, and do their finest to share the enjoyment of the paradise wherein they reside with guests to their island.
Attending to Ishigaki
Ishigaki is the southernmost metropolis in Japan, about 2,000 km from Tokyo and belongs to the island group of Okinawa. Nearly 50,000 folks reside right here on the island of the identical title, Ishigaki.
There are direct flights from Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports to New Ishigaki airport. The flight takes about three hours and beneficial airways are ANA or Peach.
If you wish to add a number of enjoyable days on Ishigaki to your Japanese trip, you may fly instantly from there by way of Hong Kong or Taipei again residence.
Price Figuring out
The right occasions to journey are in spring, between the top of March and Could, and fall, from the top of September to the start of December—it’s splendidly heat then, however not too scorching.
On Ishigaki Island, as on the Japanese mainland, you pay with yen. 1,000 yen is about 7 USD. Though you may pay by bank card right here and there, a small provide of money is beneficial.
Left-hand site visitors prevails right here on the island. If you wish to drive a automobile in Japan, it’s good to have your international driver’s license translated into Japanese. This may be carried out on-line on the Japan Vehicle Federation.
Pure Nature
The island is various and provides mangrove forests for kayaking, small waterfalls, and plenty of magical diving and snorkeling spots.
The underwater world is colourful and various, too. Simply don’t be alarmed if a yellow-lipped sea snake crosses your path whereas snorkeling. These venomous sea snakes don’t wish to assault after they swim up from the darkish crevices however simply wish to get some air. So keep calm and don’t be alarmed, and every part can be nice.
Mountains and Sea
The corals on Ishigaki Island are much more colourful than these within the Seychelles and the Maldives.
Large manta rays additionally swim in circles right here between the Pacific and the East China Sea, leaving each divers and snorkelers amazed and fascinated.
Significantly in the summertime months, it is vitally more likely to see these particular sea creatures throughout dives and snorkeling journeys round Kabira Bay and Sukuji Seashore.
Two tall mountains rise in the midst of the island and their peaks are straightforward to climb. From the 500-meter-high Mount Omoto, you may see on to Yonehara Seashore within the north of the island. The ascent takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours and is worth it as a result of, from up right here, you’ve a panoramic view of the island, the ocean with the coral reefs, and the opposite islands.
Mount Nosoko, one other, barely smaller mountain, is situated on the Hirakubo peninsula within the northeast. From its summit, you may see the Hirakubo peninsula and the west coast—actually spectacular!
The enchanting Hirakubo Peninsula within the northeast can be fantastic. There are magnificent seashores and spectacular climbing trails right here. One seashore on Ishigaki is extra stunning than the following and extends for a lot of kilometers.
Seashore Time
Fusaki Seashore, west of Ishigaki City, is especially enchanting and well-known for its sunsets.
Sukuji Seashore can be extremely popular, particularly due to its shallow water. It’s situated within the northwest of the island, in a big bay surrounded by timber. As at Fusaki Seashore, a web is used to maintain away the jellyfish in summer season.
Yonehara Seashore is situated on the north coast of the island. There’s a campsite close to the seashore, which is stuffed with life and exercise. Additionally it is a wonderful place for snorkeling and diving. Nonetheless, in contrast to the opposite seashores, there are not any jellyfish nets and no lifeguards, and there are occasional robust currents.
For those who additionally wish to uncover the island world round Ishigaki, ferries depart from Ishigaki Metropolis to Taketomi and Iriomote.
Taketomi enchants with seashores and an open-air museum of conventional structure fabricated from stone partitions and brick-roofed homes. On Iriomote, you may marvel at lush nature and a waterfall.
Lodging
Membership Med Kabira Ishigaki provides the proper setting to actually chill out.
The Membership can be the proper start line for excursions. From right here, you may attain the mangrove forests in simply half-hour, the well-known Blue Cave snorkeling paradise in quarter-hour, and the manta ray spot in only a few minutes by diving boat. Different water sports activities similar to stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and windsurfing are additionally provided right here, and the calm, turquoise sea in entrance of the resort is ideal for them.
Associated learn: Prime Meals to Strive in Okinawa
Price Seeing
The island’s vacationer middle is situated in and round Kabira-Wan Bay.
Many glass-bottom boats begin their excursions right here, giving younger youngsters or older vacationers who aren’t followers of diving or snorkeling the chance to marvel at sea turtles, corals, shells, and colourful fish.
There may be additionally a big pearl store the place you should buy native jewellery, in addition to quite a few memento outlets. A small park with an statement deck can be situated right here.
Bluezone Okinawa
The Japanese prefecture of Okinawa consists of greater than 160 islands between Taiwan and the Japanese mainland. It’s recognized for its heat local weather, white seashores, distinctive rock formations, and colourful coral reefs.
Not the entire islands are inhabited, and a few of them don’t welcome guests or vacationers.
What’s particular about Okinawa, nevertheless, is that it is without doubt one of the 5 blue zones on the planet. Most cancers, coronary heart illness, and dementia are much less prevalent right here, and ladies reside longer right here than wherever else on this planet.
And as a buddy of mine stated: these ladies definitely don’t go diving and snorkeling with toxic water snakes. 😉
