Hikes and walks at a glance.
| Place | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|
| Omotodake | Okinawa Prefecture’s highest mountain, at 525.5 metres. |
| Nosoko Mape | A mountain we have walked that is often described as a short climb. |
| Buzamadake | Recorded in our GPS map as Buzamadake / Kabira Terrace. |
| Banna Park | Forest walks, viewpoints and play areas; a place for a walk, a run or a family outing. |
Omotodake: Ishigaki’s highest mountain.
We have walked Omotodake, Okinawa Prefecture’s highest mountain at 525.5 metres.
Access notice (October 2026): Ishigaki City has announced temporary restrictions on vehicle access along the approach road to Omotodake during periods from October 2026 to April 2027 because of summit works. Hiking itself is not prohibited. Check the official access notice before visiting.
Nosoko Mape.
We have walked Nosoko Mape too. It is often described as a short climb. The commonly used approach is a forestry management route, as explained in Ishigaki City’s guidance below.
Buzamadake / Kabira Terrace.
The Buzamadake walk is recorded as “Buzamadake / Kabira Terrace” in our original GPS map. Its markers show the start and summit, with the recorded track between them. Open that layer in our hiking map to see the route we walked.
Our GPS hiking map.
Routes from our earlier walks
Our original Google My Maps record includes routes from our own walks on Omotodake, Nosoko Mape and Buzamadake. The layers are labelled “Omoto”, “Mape” and “Buzamadake / Kabira Terrace”. The GPS lines show where we walked on those visits; vegetation, access and the paths themselves may have changed since. They are personal records, rather than official maintained hiking trails. Ishigaki City’s mountain guidance gives more context about the routes and practical advice for a visit.
Practical notes for the mountains.
Ishigaki City identifies the approaches commonly used towards Omotodake and Nosoko Mape as forestry management roads rather than recreational hiking trails. Its guidance recommends walking with company and includes an appropriate local guide as one way to prepare for a mountain outing.
Suitable footwear, water, sun and rain protection, a charged phone and an offline map are useful for these walks. Long clothing can help where vegetation reaches the path. The weather forecast and recent local information give you a better picture of the day, while allowing extra time leaves room to pause or change your plan along the way.
These are accounts of our own walks.
Banna Park: walking, running and family outings.
Banna Park is a place to walk in the forest, stop at viewpoints or spend a relaxed part of a day outdoors. We have walked here ourselves, and the large public park offers several areas to explore.
We also enjoy Banna Park as a family outing with young children. There is a large playground as well as smaller play areas, and the park is good for a walk or a run. We sometimes spot birds among Ishigaki’s trees and shrubs along the way.
At the north entrance, the visitor centre now includes Ikimono Parlour, a nature-focused space opened in July 2026. The nearby World Insect Museum displays insects from Ishigaki and elsewhere. Check Banna Park’s family guide for current facilities and opening information.
Use the official Banna Park map to choose an area, or start with the family nature course and wildlife exploration course. The scenic viewpoints course is a driving route. The park’s website also has current facility information.
