Ishigaki石垣

The questions people ask first about Ishigaki, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
• SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
• Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
• TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
• SafetyVery safe for tourists; the real risks are the sea (rip currents, jellyfish), typhoons in Aug–Sep and sunburn.
• RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
• Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
• Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
• Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
• AirportcheckISG New Ishigaki Airport (15 km east of town; Azuma Bus #4 or #10 to the bus terminal, about 45 min, ¥520 (≈ US$4); taxi about 30 min, ¥2,500 (≈ US$17) (check)).ISG New Ishigaki Airport (9.3 mi east of town; Azuma Bus #4 or #10 to the bus terminal, about 45 min, ¥520 (≈ US$4); taxi about 30 min, ¥2,500 (≈ US$17) (check)).
• Getting aroundCentral Ishigaki is walkable.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Street or quick mealNoodle soup (Yaeyama soba or ramen)¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9)
• BeerBeer: draught in an izakaya / can at a konbini¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
• Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi flag fall, then about 2 kmTaxi flag fall, then about 1.2 mi¥390 (≈ US$3)
• Museum or sight ticketIshigaki Stalactite Cave entry¥1,200 (≈ US$9)
• Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
• Mid-range bedDouble room, business hotel or minshuku, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
• High-end bedDouble room, business hotel or minshuku, a night, per room¥35,000 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · Mid ¥14,000 (≈ US$95) · High ¥26,000 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Central Ishigaki is walkable. For the rest of the island use a rental car (about ¥2,000–4,000 per day, often booked through your hotel) or the Azuma Bus network from the terminal. The Michikusa Free Pass gives 5 days of unlimited island buses for ¥2,000; a one-day pass is ¥1,000. Bicycles rent for about ¥500 per day, but the north and west routes are hilly and long.

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ishigaki. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

• officialOoriToori — Ishigaki city official guide
• officialYaeyama Islands tourist association
• officialNew Ishigaki Airport
• officialAnei Kankō ferries
• officialYaeyama Kankō Ferry
• secondaryWikivoyage: Ishigaki, revision 5322111 (CC BY-SA 4.0)