Southernmost City of Japan
You are on your way to the southernmost city in all of Japan. Ishigaki Island is located 1,950km away from Tokyo, 450km away from Naha, and 270km away from Taiwan. The current population of Ishigaki is 47,804. The island is 222.57 sq. kilometers. Ishigaki is a part of the Yaeyama Island Chain. With Ishigaki as a main transportation center, it is easy to get to other islands via the extensive ferry system. Nearby islands include Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima, Aragusuku, Iriomote, Hatoma, Hateruma, and Yonaguni.

Modes of Transportation
You can get to Ishigaki via air, ship, or a combination of both. In the case of a typhoon, all modes of transportation will be cancelled until the storm has subsided. Click here to see a video of typhoon 4 (2005).

Getting to Ishigaki via Domestic Flights
If you are flying within Japan, there are many ways to get to Ishigaki. There are flights from Naha, Miyako, and Mainland Japan. ANA (Air Nippon Airlines) and JTA (Japan Transocean Air) both fly into Ishigaki. The airport in Ishigaki is only a short taxi ride from the main downtown area. It is highly recommended that you purchase your tickets in as advance as possible. For mainland flights you will usually pay about 30,000-60,000 yen roundtrip.

The main route to Ishigaki is from Naha and will cost anywhere from about 14,000- 40,000 yen roundtrip. Look carefully and you should have no problem finding bargain fares. You may also want to ask your travel agent about when the bargain fare buying times are. Bargain fare tickets can only be purchased and used during certain times.

Domestic Airline Ticket Pricing (04/2006)
These are the regular prices for tickets purchased without any discounts. Booking in advance and on certain dates can reduce prices by up to 50% or more. The best place to book your tickets is with your local travel agent. If you are within Japan and need help with booking airline tickets, you can also call the friendly travel agents at Kokusai Ryoukousha. When calling, please ask to speak to Ms. Satomi Arakaki. Her phone number is 0980-82-5931. Ask about bargain fares! An example of a bargain is that a direct flight from Ishigaki to Kansai will cost about 14,000 one way. This is a very big discount over the regular pricing.

Ishigaki -> Naha 20,500 one way (13,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Ishigaki -> Miyako 10,500 one way (RAC Flight 7,900)
Ishigaki -> Yonaguni 10,400 one way (RAC Flight 6,450)
Ishigaki -> Tokyo 53,400 one way (27,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Ishigaki -> Kansai 43,400 one way (27,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Ishigaki -> Fukuoka 40,300 one way (24,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Ishigaki -> Nagoya 51,300 one way (30,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Naha -> Tokyo 36,400 one way (19,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Naha -> Kansai 30,400 one way (17,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Naha -> Fukuoka 24,200 one way (16,300 - 28 day advance purchase)
Naha -> Nagoya 34,400 one way (20,300 - 28 day advance purchase)

Getting to Ishigaki via International Flights
There are no direct International flights into Ishigaki. For those people travelling from an international destination, you will need to fly into either mainland Japan or Naha Airport.

Mileage Award Flights for International Visitors
For those of you that have a lot of frequent flier miles, you may want to use them on your flight to Ishigaki. Below are listed the two carriers that fly into Ishigaki and their partner airlines. Please contact your airline for more information about collecting miles or redeeming miles.

JTA (Japan Transocean Air)
Jal Group Airline Companies, American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Dragonair, LAN

ANA (Air Nippon Airlines)
Star Alliance Member Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Asiana, Austrian Airlines, bmi British Midland, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, VARIG Brazil, Malaysia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air China, US Airways, Shanghai Airlines, Qatar Airlines, South African Airways, TAP Portugal

Getting to Ishigaki via Cruise Ship
OUT OF BUSINESS as of June 5, 2008
Riding a ferry to Ishigaki is an excellent way to save money as long as you have adequate time. The average time for the trip from Naha to Ishigaki is about 14 hours. Be sure that you are at the port about 30 minutes prior to the boats departure. If not, you will miss the boat! Ship departures are also subject to weather conditions. In the case of rough seas, ship departures may be cancelled. Please see below for more details.

Cruise Ship Travel Times to Ishigaki
Nagoya - 66 hours, Osaka - 61 hours, Miyako - 5 hours

Arimura Sangyo Ferry Phone: 098-860-1980 http://www.arimuraline.co.jp

Option 1 - The “Hiryu Ferry” leaves Naha on Monday at 8pm and arrives in Ishigaki on Tuesday at 11:45am. The return trip is on Thursday at 6:45am and arrives in Naha at 8:45pm. One way cost is 6130 yen.

Option 2 - The “Hiryu 21 Ferry” leaves Naha on Friday at 8:00pm and arrives in Ishigaki on Saturday at 10:15am. It does not return back to Naha from Ishigaki. One way cost is 6130 yen.