1
Nanba

A popular horseback riding experience that can be enjoyed near the city center

It takes about 15 minutes by car from the Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal (hereinafter referred to as the Remote Island Terminal) to the ranch. The horses currently being raised are a mix of Japanese breeds, and each has a unique appearance. They are shorter than thoroughbreds, with thicker bodies and legs, giving them a charming look. Training begins around 6 months of age, and they make their debut on light courses like the "Kids Trail" when they are 2 to 3 years old. Perhaps because they are raised with care and freedom in the nature of Ishigaki Island, all the horses are gentle. Even complete beginners can enjoy horseback riding with peace of mind.

The view from horseback is different from the "usual stone walls"

For those who want to spend quality time with the horses, we recommend the "Hill with an Ocean View & Gelato" course. This is a 150-minute long plan available only from autumn to spring, when the heat subsides. After finishing lessons on how to communicate with and control the horses, you will depart from the ranch. The freshness and sense of liberation of looking out over typical Ishigaki Island scenery, such as sugarcane fields and pastures, from the height of the saddle is truly extraordinary. The destination is the top of a small hill. The view of the sea and sky while enjoying delicious gelato is truly spectacular.

Local
Supporter

Even though they are smaller than thoroughbreds, horses still feel incredibly large when you get close to them. They are very intelligent, and interacting with them provides a sense of accomplishment that is different from interacting with other animals.

Nanba

• 1353-1 Arakawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 15 minutes by car from the Remote Island Terminal *Some courses meet at the beach instead of the ranch. Please check the website for details.
• Winter (Oct–Mar) 10:00–17:00
  Summer (Apr–Sep) 9:00–18:00
  *Dates and times vary by course. Please check the website for details.
• Irregular holidays (Please check the website for details)
• Hill with an Ocean View & Gelato (150 min) from 21,500 yen
  Kids Trail (30 min) 6,500 yen
• 0980-87-8393
• Free (Use shared parking for courses meeting at the beach)
• Hill with an Ocean View & Gelato: Junior high school students and older
  Kids Trail: 2 years old and older
• All courses require advance reservations via the website. Reservations can be made from 2 months in advance until 16:00 on the day before (or until 12:00 if the previous day is a holiday).

2
Banna Park ("Segway Tour in Ishigaki Island Banna Forest")

Japan's southernmost forest park where you can encounter dynamic nature

A vast forest park that makes the most of the terrain of Mt. Banna (230m above sea level). There are many scenic spots within the park, such as the "Emerald Sea Observation Deck." While it is a place where you can experience the nature of Okinawa, its area is about 300 hectares, leading some to say they "don't know how to go sightseeing" there. A new way to enjoy "Banna Park" that is attracting attention is a tour where you can enjoy observing the nature of the park while riding a Segway. Since a guide who knows the local area inside and out accompanies you, a secret to the tour's popularity is that you can hear a variety of stories about the Yaeyama Islands, including not only nature but also sightseeing, gourmet food, culture, and history.

Approach the flora, fauna, and scenery of Yaeyama on a Segway

The tour meets at the Banna Park North Gate. After practicing how to ride for about 30 minutes, it's finally time to set off on your stroll. Along the way, you might hear explanations about rare plants, and if you are lucky, you might even encounter precious natural monuments such as the crested serpent eagle or the Ryukyu box turtle. If you pick up speed, you will be enveloped by the breeze carrying the scent of the forest, and you will likely feel as if you have become a part of nature. The point during the tour that draws the loudest cheers (or screams, for some) is when you cross a long, thrilling suspension bridge where you can see through to the ground below. From the bridge, you can also get a panoramic view of the dam lake filled with abundant water and the lush green forest.
*Please check the website as it may be under maintenance.

Local
Supporter

I joined the tour alone, but by the time it ended, I had become great friends with the other participants. It's wonderful to have these kinds of encounters while traveling.

Banna Park ("Segway Tour in Ishigaki Island Banna Forest")

• 2241-1 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki City (Banna Park North Entrance) MAP
• Approx. 15 minutes by car from the Remote Island Terminal
• Morning session 10:00, Afternoon session (Oct-Mar) 15:00
  
• Irregular holidays, including during bad weather
• 8,800 yen
• 0980-82-6711 (Hirata Tourism Co., Ltd.)
• Free (Banna Park North Entrance Parking Lot)
• 16 to 70 years old, weight between 45kg and 117kg
• Reservation required via website (for afternoon tours on the day, please call by 9:00 AM)
  Pregnant individuals and those under the influence of alcohol are not permitted.

3
Ishigaki Yaima Village

Enjoy an experiential theme park featuring relocated historic traditional houses

The southernmost theme park in Japan, adjacent to "Nagura Amparu," which is registered under an international treaty as an important wetland where mangroves grow. Old folk houses where islanders actually lived in the past have been relocated here, recreating the good old scenery of Yaeyama. In October 2020, an auxiliary facility called "Nagura Drive-in" was completed just before the village entrance. You can now stop by for a break before or after entering the village or during a drive, and not only have a meal but also enjoy various experiences. A diverse menu is available, including Shisa painting and a "Ryukyu costume experience" that you will want to post on social media.

Scenery that evokes the Yaeyama of old, and interaction with nature and animals

At Yaima Village, you can freely explore the interiors of traditional folk houses that are designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. The view from the "Anparu Tower," modeled after an ancient lookout tower, is also well worth seeing. The village also features a pond where water buffalo lounge about, as well as an area where you can interact with adorable squirrel monkeys, making it highly recommended for animal lovers. For nature enthusiasts, why not take the nature trail that continues from the village to explore Nagura Anparu? A wooden boardwalk winds through the mangrove forest, offering a chance to experience this precious landscape up close.

Local
Supporter

You can easily try on Ryukyu costumes since they are worn over your own clothes. There is a lot to see within the village, so it is a recommended spot for those who prefer to spend their time relaxing in one place rather than visiting many tourist attractions.

Ishigaki Yaima Village

• 967-1 Nagura, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 20 minutes by car from the Remote Island Terminal
• 9:00–17:30 (Last admission 17:00)
• Open every day
• Admission: Adults 1,200 yen, Children (3 years old to elementary school age) 600 yen
  Ryukyu costume experience 1,000 yen
  Shisa painting experience (60–90 minutes) 1,800 yen per figure, 3,300 yen per pair
• 0980-82-8798
• Free

4
Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave

Infiltrate a massive underground palace created by the passage of time

Located just a 10-minute drive from the city center, this is the southernmost and largest limestone cave on the island. Of its 3.2 km total length, about 660 meters are open to the public. The temperature inside the cave remains around 23°C throughout the year, making it a perfect sightseeing spot even on chilly days. After passing through the Ryugu-jo (Dragon Palace) style gate and descending the narrow stairs, an underground palace that you could never imagine from the surface stretches out before you. Stalactites on Ishigaki Island grow at a rate of about 1 mm every three years, meaning it has taken approximately 200,000 years for them to reach their current form. The giant clam fossils in the cave walls tell the story of how this place was once the ocean floor.

Experience a dramatic space that makes you feel like an adventurer

As you follow the well-maintained path, highlights with evocative names like "Otohime Palace" and "Forest of the Gods' Sculptures" appear one after another. There are plenty of must-see spots, including a suikinkutsu (water harp cave) where you can hear the sound of water dripping from stalactites, magical illuminations, an underground lake filled with clear water, and the "Totoro Stalactite," named for its rumored resemblance to the character. Whether you are climbing up or down the undulating terrain of the cave, or looking up and down, enjoy the breath of nature to the fullest with the spirit of an adventurer.

Local
Supporter

There are two other tourist limestone caves on Ishigaki Island, but this one is the longest and has the most varied terrain, making it well worth seeing. The garden above ground is also well-maintained, and you can see flowers typical of Okinawa.

Ishigakijima Limestone Cave

• 1666 Ishigaki, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 10 minutes by car from the Remote Island Terminal
• Limestone cave tour 9:00–18:30 (Last admission 18:00)
• Open all year round
• Admission: Adults 1,200 yen, Children 600 yen
• 0980-83-1550
• Free
• There is another limestone cave nearby, so please make sure the facility name is "Ishigakijima Limestone Cave" when visiting.
  Please check the website or contact the facility for the latest information.

5
Ishigaki Island Glass Workshop Ponte

A Ryukyu glass workshop that captures the colors and atmosphere of the island

This is a workshop where you can fulfill your wish of experiencing Ryukyu glassmaking in a place with an ocean view. The shop is located in a quiet area a little way from the city. The store is lined with tasteful original works, which will surely stimulate your creative spirit. The most authentic of the four experience courses is the "Ryukyu Glass Blowing Experience." You can choose one item to make from three options: a glass, a small bowl, or a single-flower vase. Of course, you can decide on the color scheme, patterns, and even whether or not to include air bubbles to your own preference, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind original glass piece.

Create your own one-of-a-kind Ryukyu glass piece

First, you will refine your design in the shop and choose and mix your favorite colored glass pieces, then move to the adjacent workshop. Since you will be working in front of a kiln with an internal temperature of over 1300 degrees, winter is recommended over the hot summer. Once the glass has melted, you will work at a rapid pace with the staff to add patterns, inflate it with a blowpipe, shape the bottom, and widen the opening. The joy of watching the glass, which was like taffy, change into the shape you imagined is truly special. The pieces need to be cooled slowly, so you can pick them up after one full day has passed. Every time you hold it in your hands, the fun memories of your trip will surely come flooding back.

Local
Supporter

There are also other activities such as the "glass bead making experience" and the "glass shisa making experience," where you create figures by gluing glass parts together. Many affordable glass products are also sold here, making it a recommended place to look for souvenirs.

Ishigakijima Glass Studio Ponte

• 1625-35 Arakawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa PrefectureMAP
• Approx. 12 minutes by car from the Remote Island Terminal
• 10:00–18:00 (Last admission)
• Wednesday
• Ryukyu glass blowing experience (from 45 min) 5,500 yen
  Gel candle making (15–30 min) 3,500 yen, additional parts from 500 yen
  *Shipping fee separate
• 0980-82-4620
• Free
• Reservations prioritized

6
Ishigaki Salt

Visit a deep green workshop that preserves the tradition of salt making in the Yaeyama Islands

The "Ishigaki Salt Workshop" stands along Nagura Bay, which opens up on the southwestern part of the island. They make salt using seawater rich in minerals, created by the coral that thrives on the abundant water flowing into the bay from Mount Omoto, the highest peak in Okinawa, which towers over the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. This land is also said to be the place where the first salt production in the Yaeyama Islands began over 300 years ago, and it is the origin of the revival of the island's salt production today. This is a workshop that we highly recommend to those interested in additive-free salt making, which is prepared by local artisans and said to change slightly in taste depending on the season, as well as those interested in the island's natural ingredients. Experience menus such as the "Ishigaki Salt Making Experience" (reservation required, sunny days recommended) are also available.

Local
Supporter

While the classic "Ishigaki Salt" souvenir can be found in many gift shops, they also sell limited-edition salt here that is not available on the general market. If you ask the staff questions about the products, they will answer them enthusiastically.

Ishigaki Salt

• 1145-57 Arakawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa PrefectureMAP
• Approx. 18 minutes by car from the Remote Island Terminal
• Workshop 9:00–18:00, Ishigaki salt making experience
  Ishigaki salt mineral essence experience 9:30–15:00 (Last admission)
• Open every day
• Ishigaki Salt Making Experience (60 min) 3,880 yen
  Ishigaki Salt Mineral Essence Experience (150 min) 13,800 yen *Please bring a swimsuit and bath towel. Rentals are available.
• 0980-83-8711
• Free
• Ishigaki Salt Making Experience: Ages 8 and up
• Reservations via the website must be made at least 3 days in advance. For last-minute bookings, please call us.
  As of December 2023, the "Ishigaki Salt Mineral Essence Experience" is not being offered.