1
What is the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal?

The "Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal," known as the "Gateway to the Yaeyama Islands"

Opened in 2007, the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal is a place visited by many as an access hub connecting the islands of Yaeyama. The high-speed boats, used not only by tourists but also by local residents for daily life and business travel, are a major part of supporting life in the Yaeyama Islands. Known as the "gateway to the Yaeyama Islands," it is a terminal you will definitely pass through if you are heading to the remote islands.
It takes about 10 minutes to reach Taketomi Island, the closest island from the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, about 25 minutes to Kohama Island and Kuroshima Island, about 45 minutes to Iriomote Island and Hatoma Island, and about an hour to reach Hateruma Island, the farthest one.

Create travel memories at the port where boats come and go on the blue sea

The terminal has a paid parking lot, so you can easily visit by rental car. For those going on day trips to the remote islands, we recommend using the coin lockers inside the terminal or the luggage storage services offered by tour companies and ferry operators. The terminal is equipped with "ishigaki-free-wifi," a free Wi-Fi service provided by Ishigaki City, which is very convenient.
At one point in the terminal leading to the pier, there is a bronze statue of Yoko Gushiken, a former professional boxing world champion who is the pride of the Yaeyama Islands, and it is a popular photo spot that sometimes has a line. Why not take a picture to create a memory?

2
Check out high-speed boat tickets and tours

Advance booking for high-speed boat tickets is convenient

Inside the terminal, you will find "Yaeyama Kanko Ferry" and "Anei Kanko," which operate regular ferry services to each of the outlying islands. Tickets for these regular ferries are the same price regardless of which company you purchase them from. Please note that only Anei Kanko operates regular ferry services to Hateruma Island.
In addition, "Ishigakijima Travel Center," "Hirata Tourism," and "Iriomotejima Kanko Center," which offer and sell tours, also sell tickets for each ferry company. Recently, it has also become possible to book tickets in advance through online reservation sites. Some of these offer discounts of 5–10%, so be sure to take advantage of them.

Fascinating tours proposed by staff who know Yaeyama inside and out

In addition to selling ferry tickets, Hirata Tourism proposes and sells attractive tours unique to Yaeyama, such as the "Segway Tour in Ishigaki Island Banna Forest," "Indigo Dyeing and Minsa Hand-weaving Experience," and the "At the Foot of the Gods" tour, which won the Excellence Award and the Superb View Award at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Water Village Travel Contest 2020. Tour participants can also have their luggage stored for free.
Next to the tour counter is a retail section packed with sustainable products. They also sell items like the "Hydro Flask Yaeyama Limited Edition Bottle," designed with SDG-conscious travel in mind. It is very convenient for shopping during your spare time.

Local
Supporter

When participating in tours, please be mindful of your health and wear clothing suitable for outdoor activities.

Hirata Tourism

• Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, 1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Open every day
• 0980-82-6711

3
Get terminal specialties at "Shichinin Honpo"

A shop stocked with travel essentials, from bento boxes and drinks to snacks and sweets

The small shop inside the terminal, "Nanapiito Honpo," is popular with both travelers and locals, with its shelves packed with bento boxes, drinks, snacks, and more. It is full of items that let you enjoy the local vibe and satisfy a light hunger, such as the Okinawan soul food "Pork Tamago Onigiri" and "Black Juushii" (curry-flavored rice wrapped in squid ink fish cake).
Among them, the "Mariya Shake" is an exquisite drink you must try when you come to Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal. It is a shake made with fresh milk from Mariya Dairy's own farm on Ishigaki Island, and it is impressive for its rich flavor and refreshing texture. A nice service is that you can have mango, passion fruit, or other sauces topped for free according to your preference. There is also the "Tera Mariya," which is a shake topped with soft-serve ice cream.

Local
Supporter

Mariya Shakes also come in coffee, chai, and awamori flavors, so we recommend trying a few to compare!

Shichinin Honpo

• Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, 1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• 6:30–18:00 *Mariya Shake is sold until 17:00
• Open every day
• 0980-83-0105

4
Head to "Oshokujidokoro Sommelier" for a light snack

A cozy, homey shop where you can sit and enjoy a meal

There are about five restaurants inside the terminal. At "Shokujidokoro Sommelier," a cozy space with table seating for about 7 to 8 people, you will be served by a cheerful mother and daughter duo.
Their "Soki Soba" is a simple yet satisfying dish, featuring a light broth made from chicken bones, kelp, onions, dried shiitake mushrooms, and ginger, topped with soki (pork spare ribs) simmered in a sweet and savory Yaeyama brown sugar sauce, seasonal greens, and local Yaeyama kamaboko fish cake. You can also enjoy other items such as tenderly stewed "tebichi" (pork trotters), "jimami tofu" (peanut tofu), "iyachi" (a traditional mochi-like food made with glutinous rice mixed with millet or adzuki beans), and "cut pineapple." The "fresh pineapple juice" made from Ishigaki Island pineapples, which are exceptionally sweet and lack acidity, is exquisite.

Local
Supporter

Our original island chili spice, "Jungle Spice," has a spicy, stimulating kick and is a recommended seasoning that goes well with a wide range of dishes.

Dining Sommelier

• Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, 1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Irregular holidays
• 0980-82-5279

5
Go souvenir shopping at "Tumuru Shop"

A fun shop where you can find everything from bento boxes and drinks to snacks and souvenirs

There are about four shops inside the terminal where you can buy souvenirs. "Tumuru Shop," located on the right side as you face the sea, offers a wide variety of souvenirs packed with the charm of Yaeyama, as well as bento boxes, snacks, and drinks. Behind the register, there is a counter seating area where you can have a light meal, such as Yaeyama soba or hot coffee.
The storefront sometimes features gift sets of Ishigaki beef and fresh fruits like mangoes and pineapples, allowing you to enjoy unique Yaeyama shopping. They also sell ice cream and frozen fruit made with local ingredients, making it a great place to stop by while waiting for your boat.

Local
Supporter

From small souvenirs like keychains to gift assortments of awamori and Ishigaki beef, this shop allows you to feel the local culture of Yaeyama.

Tumuru Shop

• Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, 1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• 6:30–18:00
• Irregular holidays
• 0980-88-0822

6
Enjoy a starry sky at the "Ishigakijima Hoshino Umi Planetarium"

Experience Ishigaki Island's starry sky even on rainy or cloudy days

The Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal even houses the first planetarium on Ishigaki Island. Opened in 2019, it is the southernmost tilted-dome planetarium facility in Japan.
In addition to screenings where staff carefully explain the Yaeyama starry sky—where you can see 84 of the 88 constellations and 21 first-magnitude stars—they also show powerful 3D films like "WE ARE STARS," produced by NSC Creative in the UK, making it a recommended activity for rainy or cloudy days. Each show lasts about 30 minutes, making it a great spot to spend your time meaningfully while waiting for your boat.

Local
Supporter

Although small, this is a full-scale planetarium. It is perfect for dates or for children's learning.

Ishigaki Island Hoshino Umi Planetarium

• Inside Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, 1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• 10:30 - 18:00
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Adults 1,200 yen, High school students and under 700 yen
• 0980-87-9945
• Business hours and days are subject to change without notice. Please check for updates.

The Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal serves as the access hub for Yaeyama tourism, but it is a place too good to visit just to catch a boat. When you go, why not allow yourself some extra time to enjoy the local food, go souvenir shopping, or even do some stargazing? Please note that items like soft-serve ice cream cannot be brought onto the boats, so we recommend checking your departure time carefully before making any purchases.