Ishigaki Port is the major ferry hub of the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa with ferries to Taketomi Island (10 mins), Iriomote (40 mins), Kuroshima (30 mins), Kohama (30 mins), Hateruma (60 mins) and Yonaguni Island (4 hours). There are no longer ferry services from Ishigaki to mainland Japan or Naha.
Ishigaki Port is served by a number of private ferry/tour operators who compete for the tourist trade and are linked with the major Japanese mainland tour operators. These include Hirata Tourism, Anei Kanko, Dream Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko.
These tour companies can arrange specific island tours and activities such as kayaking and mangrove cruises on Iriomote and water buffalo rides on Taketomi and Yubu Island on Iriomote. The diving specialists Tom Sawyer are also based at the port.
Some of the ferry operators offer a "passport" system where travelers can use the ferry "passport" for unlimited travel on the company's boats for a limited period of time such as three days. Bicycles are charged to take on the boats unless carried in a bag.
Ishigaki Port has a number of small shops selling food, drinks, ice cream, beer and local souvenirs such as awamori.
Ishigaki Port is close to the island's bus terminal and the main entertainment and hotel area. Nearby hotels to Ishigaki Port include Hotel Tulip, Hotel Gran View (formerly Chisun Resort Ishigaki), Hotel Peace Island and the Toyoko Inn Ishigaki.
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Japan travel
Taketomi
Ryukyu
Okinawa
Japanese holidays
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