If I needed to describe paradiseit might be a spot the place the steel-blue sky kisses the turquoise-blue sea, framed by white sand, the luxurious 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 just a few locations on the earth that also supply such a factor.
Ishigaki shouldn’t be 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 individuals of Ishigaki are joyful and contented, modest and pleasant, and do their finest to share the enjoyment of the paradise through which they stay 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. Virtually 50,000 individuals stay 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 really useful airways are Cave or Peach.
If you wish to add a number of stress-free days on Ishigaki to your Japanese trip, you may fly straight from there by way of Hong Kong or Taipei again dwelling.
Value Figuring out
The proper occasions to journey are in spring, between the tip of March and Could, and fall, from the tip of September to the start of December—it’s splendidly heat then, however not too sizzling.
On Ishigaki Islandas 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 really useful.
Left-hand site visitors prevails right here on the island. If you wish to drive a automotive in Japan, it is advisable have your international driver’s license translated into Japanese. This may be executed on-line on the Japan Car Federation.
Pure Nature
The island is various and provides mangrove forests for kayaking, small waterfalls, and many 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 all the things might be superb.
Mountains and Sea
The corals on Ishigaki Island are much more colourful than these within the Seychelles and the Maldives.
Enormous manta rays additionally swim in circles right here between the Pacific and the East China Sea, leaving each divers and snorkelers amazed and fascinated.
Notably in the summertime months, it is rather more likely to see these particular sea creatures throughout dives and snorkeling journeys round Kabira bay and Sukuji Seaside.
Two tall mountains rise in the course of the island and their peaks are simple to climb. From the 500-meter-high Mount Omoto, you may see on to Yonehara Seaside 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 nosokoone other, barely smaller mountain, is positioned on the Hirakubo peninsula within the northeast. From its summit, you may see the Hirakubo peninsula and the west coast—really spectacular!
The enchanting Hirakubo Peninsula within the northeast can also be great. There are magnificent seashores and spectacular mountaineering trails right here. One seaside on Ishigaki is extra lovely than the subsequent and extends for a lot of kilometers.
Seaside Time
Fusaki Seasidewest of Ishigaki City, is especially enchanting and well-known for its sunsets.
Sukuji Seaside can also be extremely popular, particularly due to its shallow water. It’s positioned within the northwest of the island, in a big bay surrounded by timber. As at Fusaki Seasidea internet is used to maintain away the jellyfish in summer time.
Yonehara Seaside is positioned on the north coast of the island. There’s a campsite close to the seaside, which is filled with life and exercise. It’s also a superb 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 sturdy currents.
In case you 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 Iriomoteyou may marvel at lush nature and a waterfall.
Lodging
Membership Med Kabira Ishigaki provides the proper setting to actually calm down.
The Membership can also be the proper place to begin 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 reminiscent of 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
Value Seeing
The island’s vacationer middle is positioned in and round Kabira-Wan Bay.
Many glass-bottom boats begin their excursions right here, giving younger youngsters or older vacationers who will not be followers of diving or snorkeling the chance to marvel at sea turtles, corals, shells, and colourful fish.
There’s additionally a big pearl store the place you should buy native jewellery, in addition to quite a few memento retailers. A small park with an commentary deck can also be positioned right here.
Bluezone Okinawa
The Japanese prefecture of Okinawa consists of greater than 160 islands between Taiwan and the Japanese mainland. It’s identified 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, nonetheless, is that it is among the 5 blue zones on the planet. Most cancers, coronary heart illness, and dementia are much less prevalent right here, and ladies stay longer right here than wherever else on the earth.
And as a pal of mine stated: these ladies actually don’t go diving and snorkeling with toxic water snakes. 😉
