About Us

Our Mission & Values

An aerial view of one of the Yaeyama Islands, with white sand beaches and emerald waters inviting explorers. The Yaeyama archipelago in Okinawa is a hidden paradise of tropical nature and rich Yaeyama & Ryukyu culture. We created DiscoverYaima as an English-language travel guide and blog dedicated to these islands, sharing insider knowledge and inspiring stories along the way.

Our mission is to connect discerning travelers with the authentic beauty of Ishigaki and the Yaeyama Islands. We invite you to travel like an explorer and uncover a side of Japan most visitors never see.

Today’s travelers crave unique, meaningful experiences that immerse them in local culture and natural wonders. We embrace this spirit of tourism wholeheartedly.

As local islanders, we invite you to experience our home through its nature, food, and culture. From lush mangrove forests and vibrant coral reefs to farm-to-table island cuisine and time-honored festivals, we celebrate everything that makes the Yaeyamas special. Every adventure is designed to be both authentic and eco-conscious.

Our Story

We are a Japanese–Dutch couple living on Ishigaki Island, and ISL& Natural Guides Ishigaki is the culmination of our passion for these islands. Celeste Ortelee, our founder, combined her background in tourism with her personal exploration to craft a travel guide that goes beyond standard recommendations.

She moved to Ishigaki in 2014, fell in love with Yaeyama’s beauty, and along with her partner has been capturing its essence through writing and film ever since.
With one foot in the local community and one in the international travel scene, we blend insider knowledge with a global perspective.

Our philosophy is simple: to travel is to discover, and we’re here to be your local friends, ensuring your journey in Japan’s far-flung isles is unforgettable.

Travel like an explorer, and let the journey enrich you.

For Explorers (Travelers)

Whether you’re coming from somewhere far away, Europe, North America, Australia, or elsewhere in Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea – welcome!), if you love nature, great food, and immersive culture, DiscoverYaima is for you. Our blog is filled with curated travel tips and in-depth articles about the Yaeyama Islands, covering everything from hidden beaches and jungle hikes to traditional crafts and Okinawan cuisine.

We’ve even published the Ishigaki Island Guidebook (available as a softcover book and e-book) to help you explore like a local – a quality guide packed with personal anecdotes, detailed maps, and insider tips that regular guidebooks overlook.

Consider it your invitation to dive deeper: snorkel with manta rays, taste home-style Yaeyama dishes, join vibrant island festivals, and connect with the people who make this place so special.

We know that a sense of place matters. That’s why we emphasize authentic experiences over tourist checklists. Travel with us, and you’ll gain access to our island network and know-how, ensuring you find the best local eateries (sometimes the tastiest meal is at a tiny family-run café) and the most breathtaking viewpoints.
We’re here to answer your questions and help tailor your dream island getaway. Feel free to contact us anytime – we’d love to help make your trip to Japan truly memorable.

Business Partnerships

DiscoverYaima & ISL& (Pawana LLC) is a certified and registered land operator in Japan with experience partnering with both private enterprises and public institutions. Past collaborations include travel agencies, luxury hotels, and local government projects. For example, we’ve worked with JTB Travel, The Ritz-Carlton (Tokyo & Osaka), Haimurubushi and Shigira Resorts, Natsupana, and the Ishigaki City tourism board.

Our B2B services include:
* Film & Photography: Production of short documentaries, promotional films, and aerial drone footage to showcase the spirit of the Yaeyama Islands. (Our partner company, Sakishima Films, specializes in creative film projects.)

* Destination Marketing: Creation of content – from editorials and social media to advertorials – to promote Ishigaki and its sister islands, tailored to engage today’s travelers.

* Location Scouting & Support: On-the-ground assistance for location hunting and logistics in Okinawa, with multilingual support in English, Japanese, and Dutch.

* Private Experiences: Custom high-end itineraries for clients (private yacht charters, secluded beach picnics, exclusive cultural performances).

* Consulting & Collaboration: Advice on sustainable tourism development, cultural programming, and experiential travel design, combining local insight with a global perspective.

We welcome creative collaborations aligned with our values of nature, community, and quality. In all our projects, we prioritize sustainability and respect for the local way of life, ensuring tourism benefits everyone – our partners, visitors, and the island community. If you are a travel business, media producer, or brand seeking a genuine connection to the Yaeyama Islands, we’d love to work with you.