Ishigaki Island is very popular these days. Many people visit us. We hope you will find this information useful for sightseeing. We will sell fragrance souvenirs of Ishigaki Island to those who visit this page (reservation required)! We also recommend our perfume making workshop to make memories of Ishigaki Island. Please contact us.
Ishigaki Island is a place of work for me, where I have lived for more than 10 years, so I am familiar with supermarkets and DIY, but you may know more about tourist information than me…. In this day and age, there is a lot of information on the Internet, and since your stay is so short, please use your intuition and go on an adventure. Everyone is friendly, and since you are in Japan, you shouldn’t have much trouble! Based on this assumption, I have compiled a list of my favorite places to go. These are the places that don’t really “look” good from a tourist’s point of view. The island is a fast-changing place, so please always check the latest information by yourself.
〜Food shops
Here are some of the places I often go to relax. Rather than the “attractive” food that tourists are looking for, they are all common restaurants that are crowded with local customers. They are not Okinawan cuisine at all (laugh), and they are all in the countryside, and all for lunch. The locals choose restaurants that are not frequented by tourists. In truth, I don’t want to tell anyone about these restaurants because they don’t have a lot of capacity.
Teuchi-kishimen Kagi (handmade kishimen) (Ibaruma)
The aroma of the dashi broth is wonderful, and I love the total simplicity of the space with its wabi-sabi aesthetic. You must call to confirm because it is either closed or sold out quickly even if it is open.
Tonkatsu Chikara (Yonehara)
Tonkatsu restaurant in the same village. A hidden gem loved by locals for many years.
Kusabobo (Yonehara)
A restaurant in the same village. A hidden gem loved by the locals.
Cafe Akubi (Nosoko)
A hidden restaurant that you really don’t want to tell anyone about. Reservations required.
Ishigaki Shoten (Sakieda)
Vietnamese restaurant using Ishigaki ingredients. The restaurant is owned by musician Yoshiyuki Ishigaki. I sometimes go there when I want to eat ethnic food.
Shunya Banchan (Shiraho)
A restaurant that is affordable but tastes like a ryotei (Japanese-style restaurant). Reservations are required. Take-out daily meals Ban-chan is also available in town.
Smile Smoothie (Ibaruma)
Smoothies to accompany your drive. It also has a tasteful general store.
The following areas in town: I sometimes go there. From the top, in order of most frequently visited.
Ishigakijima Suisan Eat-in
I like fish, so when I eat lunch in town, I tend to go here for the cheapest option.
Chinen Shoukai’s Onisasa
Beef soup at Parlor Anburera
Yakiniku lunch at Misaki Gyu’s main restaurant
Chouichirou
Easy to eat but with the taste of kappo (Japanese cooking). A favorite of local gourmets.
Komatsu
Yaeyama soba with seafood broth. It is easy to park a car here, so I usually go here for soba.
[VEGETARIAN]
My son is pure vegetarian, grown up in this island. Here are some useful tips, even though there are few vegetarian places.
Tommy’s Bread (Yonehara)
A bakery in the same village. A hidden gem, loved by the locals for many years.
Garopan (Nagura)
Italian food. This is the home of my dog, Chiyoko. Order pizza margerita, or mix vegetable pizza, or 4 cheese pizza.
Forestale Uno (Nosoko)
(Closed as of 2023. But the lacquerware gallery is worth a visit) “Italian with Urushi”. You can enjoy Italian food in the forest with lacquerware made by lacquerware artists. Everything tastes more tender when served on lacquerware. A restaurant that satisfies all the senses. Order “tofu-yo-no-pasta”, a pasta that uses fermented tofu as a cream. It’s delicious.
BARAQUE
Vegetarian cafe. I like soy meat, so I often go here because it is next to the gym.
Nuchigusa Cafe
View of the ocean yoga studio. Vegetarian curry is delicious.
Funakura no Sato
If you’re looking for a little celebration or date night, this is the place to be. Good atmosphere and local food both day and night.
Raikatsuyo (Kunatsuyu)
Yaeyama soba noodles with rich broth
Nutstown Coffee Roasters (when working remotely)
Rehellow Beach (for a resort atmosphere)
Puka Puka (when you want to enjoy the resort atmosphere)
〜Dinner at night
The top tourist favorites Hitoshi and Yamamoto are not options for us locals. There are other gourmet restaurants that are just as good and much cheaper. Basically, we don’t eat out much at night, but if we dare to go, it’s in order of how often we go there, from top to bottom. (Note: Don’t expect to see any “installations”.
Kaijin Izakaya & Sushi: Cafe Umi-no-Hana (Benefactor’s restaurant. (A favorite of young local families)
Kaijin Izakaya: Azumaru
Kaijin Izakaya: Genmaru Shinkawa
Kaijin Sushi: Eiko
Yakiniku: Higa-chan
Yakiniku: Otokichi
Yakiniku: Watanabe (High Quality)
Normal Izakaya: Teppen, Koteppen, Doteppen, Mannen Housaku, Raifuya, Funakura no Sato too
If you want to take your time to savor the pairings, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island, Fusaki “Hare”.
The local delicacy of Ishigaki Island is actually sashimi! Fresh tuna sashimi is available all year round. Most people buy sashimi and eat it at home. The “Sakana Tempura” is also addictive. It is fun to visit sashimi restaurants. (They are usually open after 2:00 p.m.) Donakata made this “Sashimiya Map” for us:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1P523tnwSHz_tL00OmvlIpAgAAI0&ll=24.343354838218335%2C124.1571915&z=15
〜Souvenirs
We also sell Ishigaki Island fragrances at our atelier! Reservations required. Please contact us.
Osato Shoten (Osato): hand-netted baskets, organic vegetables, etc.
Yachimunkan (Shiraho): For those who love hand knitting. Hands-on production available.
JA Yurateiku Market (in town): Local farmers’ market
KAYAK (in town): A select store with good taste
Hellow Campers (in town): For camp lovers
Ichigusukumode (in town): T-shirt shop
~Fun and games
Ma Pei Mountaineering (Nosoko): There is a trailhead where you can cheat your way up from the middle of the mountain
https://maps.app.goo.gl/64nGdHLqoGL2g1ar7?g_st=ic
Mt. Yarabudake (Sakieda): I hear it’s spectacular! I’ve never been there and want to go.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GmMgaB5f2kf4JZKa8?g_st=ic
Crystal Beach (Yamahara) Bring a colander and pick up crystals!
https://goo.gl/maps/5eZpmsG9CXMrykEo7
Science Garden (Kabira, closed)
https://www.passion-jp.com/sciencegardern/
Otemaru ni: Parking with a view of Kabira Bay + of course, Kabira Bay.
https://goo.gl/maps/cjpF11RaRKo9cttG7
Sunset drive along Nagura Bay
SUP and other nature guides are recommended by Nijiro no Sakana
Sabani tour in Kuura village, Yoshida Sabani Tour
Snorkeling on a traditional Okinawan sailing boat, the Sabani, is a unique and rewarding experience!
Shisa experience at Rinka (Yamahara)
R
Of course, we also offer incense preparation at our atelier! It is currently very popular among foreigners.
If you like fragrance, please refer to this article!
〜アトリエ周辺のスポット〜
アトリエ周辺一帯が、わたしのアトリエ。それくらいインスピレーションたくさんの環境です。観光の一助となれば。全てほぼ徒歩圏内です。
青の洞窟
https://goo.gl/maps/uFSSskH69ToCM4QW8?coh=178571&entry=tt
石垣島随一の観光スポット。陽の高い昼間の、干潮から満潮に向かう時間帯に行ってください。（満潮から干潮に向かう時間帯はぜったいダメ。離岸流で何人も流されてます。）スノーケルセット、できればライフジャケットがあるといいと思います。ピクニックだけでも楽しい。干潮の時間であれば水深が浅いので、ビーサンかマリンシューズ履いて歩いて青の洞窟まで行けます。
米原ビーチ
https://goo.gl/maps/vA2zXUJJptRyjpTc9?coh=178571&entry=tt
美しい砂浜のビーチです。泳ぐならインリーフで、満潮前後が良い。干潮だと泳ぐところもなく、危険生物との距離も近くなります。リーフエッジまで行くのは、慣れた人やプロに頼んで連れて行ってもらいましょう。
米原ヤシ林
https://goo.gl/maps/DT3cg2RBfjgpwQo88?coh=178571&entry=tt
森の散策路があります。手軽にヤシの森を体験できます。入口のジュース屋さん「ぱぱや」でさとうきびジュースを注文して、歩きながら飲むのが好きです。むかいの「ヤシ屋」さんには軽食もあります。4月には日没後に八重山ヒメボタルが飛び交います。
ヤシ記念館
https://goo.gl/maps/9FCFQ47men8FDSVo7?coh=178571&entry=tt
屋上からの眺めは絶景です。また、よく手入れされた庭園を散策するのも良し。私の犬の散歩コースです。
シーサー農園
https://goo.gl/maps/iBWCAYbASViWzhZU6?coh=178571&entry=tt
シーサーを売っている焼き物屋さん「米子焼き」付随のテーマパーク。広大な敷地に、ユニークなシーサー像が並ぶその景観は圧巻。
工房谷池
https://goo.gl/maps/cSVnvw8KYs1NgQZ3A?coh=178571&entry=tt
私がとても好きな器を作る方の工房。ヤシの灰を使った釉薬など、地域の素材を使ってらっしゃいます。訪問は、お電話してからにしましょう。
EARTH ROOTS
石垣市桴海654近辺 週末のみオープン？
ナチュラル系アクセサリー屋さん。私がつけているアクセサリーはほとんどここのもの！ ビーチの漂着物が、アクセサリの素材。とてもセンスのいい友人です。
〜アトリエ周辺の宿〜
アトリエのある米原エリアが、石垣島でいちばん魅力的なエリアと自負してます！ アトリエはなんと、米原ビーチを含む国定公園内に位置します。ちょっと西表島みたいな雰囲気もあり、波照間のように星もきれいで、石垣島を何倍も楽しめますよ。バスの本数が少なく不便なので、レンタカー必須。
サウスシー 大人数 一棟貸し（徒歩15分）
海を見下ろす絶景でBBQもできる宿。米原ビーチまで徒歩で行ける。おすすめ。
青の洞窟 大人数 一棟貸し（アトリエのほぼ隣）http://aonodoukutsu.jp/
プールもついています。たぶんBBQもできるはず。
Regina Ishigaki 大人数 一棟貸し（徒歩3分）
https://goo.gl/maps/1j7kxxYqJoqVrmm86?coh=178573&entry=tt
海を見下ろす絶景でBBQもできる。
リッチリゾン 個室Bed and Breakfast 手軽な素泊まり宿泊施設（徒歩1分）
https://richreson.jp/ishigaki/
moment of island 2名様 一棟貸し（徒歩10分）
https://www.airbnb.jp/rooms/621878024915624386?check_in=2023-02-11&check_out=2023-02-12&source_impression_id=p3_1675168076_%2BnqrqQRHtf2qAPkq
米原ビーチステイLuana 家族向け一棟貸し（徒歩10分）
yoneharabeachstayruana.com
〜その他の宿〜
フサキビーチリゾート
アートイベントなどでもご協力させていただいている宿。シェフの腕も良いですし、雰囲気も良いです。手軽なリゾートが楽しめます。送迎も豊富なのでレンタカー不要。
星のや 竹富島
これ以上の宿はなかなかありません…。
あちみぃん
野底にあるコテージ貸し。友人のやっている宿です。レンタカー必須。
Villa Nohoho
久宇良集落にあるコテージ貸し。オランダ人の友人がやっている宿です。レンタカー必須。
その他、私が泊まるなら、島人の資本の宿に泊まります。（みやひら、ビーチホテルサンシャイン、エメラルドアイル）
＊情報は2023年のものですので、最新情報はご自分でチェックしてください。