| Choose | If you want | The feel of a stay |
|---|---|---|
| Okinawa Main Island | Beach resorts, restaurants, nightlife, Ryukyuan history and nature in the north. | A large island with urban areas and a prominent US military presence, especially in the central region. |
| Miyako | A relaxed beach or resort holiday, coastal drives and time by the sea. | Mostly flat, with open views and several neighbouring islands connected by bridges. |
| Ishigaki and Yaeyama | Nature, local food and the option to explore different islands. | A remote island setting with mountains, countryside, town facilities and ferry connections. |
All three have their own communities, culture and coastal landscapes. These are the differences that matter most to us when choosing a stay. DiscoverYaima’s detailed guides focus on Ishigaki and the Yaeyama Islands, where our work is based.
Okinawa Main Island: resorts, city life and the forested north
Okinawa Main Island is the largest island in the prefecture, and its scale changes the feel of a holiday. You can combine Naha, Ryukyuan history and museums with beach resorts, a wide choice of restaurants and evenings out. Farther north, Yanbaru brings forests, mountains and a much quieter setting.
US military bases are a visible part of the island, especially in the central region. Their presence has also shaped neighbourhoods such as Koza, with American influences in shops, food and music alongside Okinawa’s own culture and history.
For us, its urban stretches can feel so extensive that the sense of being on an island recedes. For a beach setting that feels more secluded, we are more drawn to Miyako and Yaeyama. Yet the combination of facilities, beach life and lively towns makes the main island appealing. Some visitors are interested in its American influences; others prefer a stay where the military presence is less prominent.
Your base makes a considerable difference on an island this size. A stay in the north feels different from one in Naha or Chatan. Smaller islands are also within reach, including the Keramas by ferry from Naha.
Miyako: open landscapes, beaches and the sea
Miyako’s mostly flat landscape, open views and clear blue sea give it a different character from Ishigaki. We think of it first as a place to settle into a resort or beach stay, spend time by the water and explore the coastline.
Bridges connect several of the surrounding islands, so exploring them can be part of a drive. Miyako also has its own communities and traditions. For us, though, the main reason to choose it is a relaxed holiday built around its beautiful coast and sea.
Ishigaki and Yaeyama: nature, island life and places to explore
We would choose Ishigaki for a stay that combines nature and a sense of remoteness with restaurants, shops and a practical town base. Outside the city are mountains, forest, farmland and beaches. There is enough here for the whole holiday, whether you want to explore or simply settle somewhere and relax.
The nearby Yaeyama islands add another reason to base yourself here. Ferries from Ishigaki connect you with places such as Taketomi, with its village life, and Iriomote, with its forest and rivers. They bring very different landscapes and days within reach of the same base.
Miyako’s bridges make several neighbouring islands part of a coastal drive. Around Ishigaki, the ferry connections offer a different kind of exploration, with each island a destination in its own right.
Choose one place well before adding another.
For a first Ishigaki stay, our starting point is at least three full days: one for the city, one for the wider island, and one for more Ishigaki or a nearby island. A longer stay leaves more room for both exploration and rest.
If this is part of a longer Japan trip, count travel days separately and check the actual flight connections before adding another island group.
If you choose Ishigaki, our printed guide, ISL& Natural Guides: Ishigaki, brings together five area guides, maps, photography and stories from the island.