Explore the archipelago
The Yaeyama Islands.
The islands share a relaxed Yaeyama atmosphere, but each has a different landscape and rhythm. Most are easy to reach from Ishigaki, which makes it possible to get to know several islands in one holiday. Hateruma and Yonaguni need more time, and rough weather can interrupt the journey.
The Yaeyama Islands are an island group in Okinawa, Japan, with Ishigaki as the main practical and transport hub for reaching and connecting them; this page helps you compare the islands before deciding where to stay or visit.
Compare the islands by the pace you want, the landscape you hope to spend time in, how much ferry travel suits the trip and whether you are looking for a day visit or a longer stay.
Ishigaki
The most facilities, food and shops, together with a mountainous interior, beaches and country roads. For a first visit, Ishigaki is an easy base, and a complete destination in its own right.
Taketomi
A flat island where traditional Yaeyama houses, village lanes and beautiful beaches sit close together. It is easy to explore, but can feel very busy during Japanese holiday periods.
Iriomote
Think of a wilder, more forested counterpart to Ishigaki: fewer facilities, more jungle, rivers and waterfalls. Come here because you genuinely want to spend time in nature.
Hateruma
Hateruma asks for more time than the nearer islands. The crossing is part of the experience, and rough weather can interrupt ferry services, so keep your plans flexible.
Keep exploring
Elsewhere in Yaeyama
Kohama
Small, gently hilly and much quieter than Ishigaki. Kohama suits travellers who want to slow down, stay somewhere comfortable and make relaxation the main purpose of the trip.
Kuroshima
Known for its cattle, clear sea and quiet roads. It is enjoyable to explore by bicycle, while its traditional festivals reveal a very different side of this small island.
Hatoma
The quiet begins as soon as the ferry arrives. Hatoma suits a slow stay with time for the village, the coast and the feeling of being away.
Yonaguni
Yonaguni needs more time and more deliberate planning than the islands close to Ishigaki. Treat the journey and possible weather changes as part of the stay.
Also in the archipelago: Panari / Aragusuku ↗. Choose an island that matches the kind of stay you want.
Choose your base
Start with the kind
of stay you want.
For a first visit, we usually recommend Ishigaki as a base. It has the airport, ferry connections and the most facilities, while its mountains, coast and countryside give you plenty to explore. If wild nature is the whole reason for your journey, Iriomote can be a better starting point. For a quiet, comfortable resort stay, look at Kohama or Taketomi; choose Ishigaki when you want relaxation together with shops, restaurants and more everyday choice.
Find the islands for your tripTravelling between islands
Most islands are
an easy ferry trip.
One of the pleasures of Yaeyama is that several islands are straightforward to visit from Ishigaki. Hateruma and Yonaguni are different: allow more time, check the current connection and accept that rough weather may change the plan.
Do not arrive expecting tropical postcard weather every day. The sky and sea can change quickly, and sometimes ferries will not run. Leave room in your itinerary for weather changes.
Yaeyama transport and ferry planningPlan a flexible island stayThe feeling of arrival
Each crossing brings
a little more quiet.
Travelling between the islands gives me a feeling of freedom and relaxation. Ishigaki already feels much quieter than Okinawa Island, but when the ferry arrives at Kohama, Taketomi or Hatoma, the silence becomes even more noticeable. You may step outside the terminal and hear only sparrows. That first quiet moment is part of the island experience for me.