This guide covers the quieter beaches of Ishigaki Island.
Ishigaki Island is one of Okinawa Prefecture’s outlying islands, and few places in Okinawa have this many beautiful beaches.
There are a great many beaches here, ranging from busy, popular stretches of sand to quiet corners that feel almost private.
Here are ten of the island’s quieter beaches.
- Hirakubo Beach
- Sakieda Beach
- Yamabara Coast (Crystal Beach)
- Kuura-no-hama
- Shiraho Coast
- Tadahama Coast
- Kannon Beach
- Ohsaki Beach (Tachii-hama)
- Akaishi Beach
- Hirano Beach
Let’s take a look.
Hirakubo Beach
Hirakubo Beach is defined by exceptionally clear water and beautiful sand.
Hirakubo Beach is also known as a filming location for Namie Amuro: the music video for “Get Myself Back” was shot here.
It is not somewhere crowds gather, which makes it a good choice for unhurried time by the sea.
| Access | About 35 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Hirakubo, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | No |
Sakieda Beach
The water at Sakieda Beach is exceptionally clear, which makes it a rewarding spot for snorkeling.
Swim out a little and you reach a great deal of coral, and it is a beautiful sight.
One thing to note: this beach has no safety net and no lifeguard on duty.
If you plan to swim or snorkel, take care when going into the water.
| Access | About 35 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Sakieda, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | No |
Yamabara Coast (Crystal Beach)
Yamabara Coast, also called Crystal Beach, is a quiet spot known both for snorkeling and for the natural quartz you can find on the shore.
It has not been developed for visitors, so the route down to the beach is difficult — that is the trade-off.
It suits anyone who wants to snorkel, or who collects natural quartz.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | No |
| Restrooms | No |
Kuura-no-hama
Kuura-no-hama is a quiet find defined by exceptionally clear water, beautiful sand, and a fine sunset.
Ishigaki Island Sunset Beach is right next door, so if you want to snorkel or try other activities, that is the better choice.
This beach is not somewhere crowds gather, which makes it a good choice for unhurried time by the sea.
*The name is read “Kuura-no-hama.”
| Access | About 35 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | 234-318 Hirakubo, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | No |
Shiraho Coast
Shiraho Coast is defined by the coral spreading through its blue water, and is well known as a snorkeling spot.
It is not somewhere large numbers of people visit, so it counts as one of the island’s quieter finds.
If you want to snorkel, Shiraho Coast is well worth the trip.
| Access | About 10 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | 2107-2 Shiraho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Tadahama Coast
Tadahama Coast is a beautiful stretch of shore that keeps its natural character, defined by clear water and shallows that run a long way out.
Maesato Beach, which draws large numbers of visitors, is right next door.
It is not a developed beach, so it does not suit swimming, but it gives you a real sense of Ishigaki Island’s natural side.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Maezato, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | No |
Kannon Beach
Kannon Beach is a quiet find, with clear water and a beautiful sunset.
It is not a busy beach, which makes it a good choice if you want a calm stretch of shore to yourself.
If you want to see a beautiful sunset on Ishigaki Island, Kannon Beach is well worth the trip.
| Access | About 30 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | 1585-105 Arakawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Ohsaki Beach (Tachii-hama)
Clear water and beautiful sand define this quiet, little-visited beach.
Some people come here to surf or snorkel as well.
If you plan to swim, snorkel, or surf, take care when going into the water.
| Access | About 35 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Sakieda, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | No |
Akaishi Beach (Akaishi Coast)
Akaishi Beach is defined by roughly a kilometer of beautiful sand and its untouched, natural character.
It is not somewhere visitors go, and you will hardly see another person here.
The shore and the sand are almost entirely untouched, and genuinely beautiful.
Some people snorkel here, so it is worth the trip if that appeals.
| Access | About 30 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | 340 Ibaruma, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | No |
| Restrooms | No |
Hirano Beach
Hirano Beach is defined by exceptionally clear water and the view across to Hirakubozaki Lighthouse.
The lighthouse stands about 400 m from Hirano Beach, close enough to see clearly from the sand.
There is no one managing this beach, so take real care when going into the water.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Hirano, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Activities | No |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | No |
Also Worth a Look
Activities on Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island has a great deal to do.
Marine activities in particular are plentiful — snorkeling, diving, SUP, kayaking, and more.
If any of that appeals, take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.
Oganzaki
Oganzaki is a cape on Ishigaki Island.
The view from Oganzaki is lovely, with rugged rock formations and a fine sunset.
Kabira Bay, a popular sight, is close by, and the area draws plenty of visitors.
*The name is read “Oganzaki.”
| Access | About 35 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Sakieda, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Tamatorizaki Observatory
Tamatorizaki Observatory is on Ishigaki Island, one of Okinawa Prefecture’s outlying islands.
It is a superb viewpoint over the sea along Ishigaki Island, taking in Hirakubo in the north and Ibaruma, Tori, and Shiraho in the east.
Allow 20 to 30 minutes, which gives you time for both the hibiscus garden and the view from the deck.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport |
| Address | Ibaruma, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
Other Information
ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
With one of the finest settings on Ishigaki Island, right in front of Maesato Beach, this is the largest luxury beach resort on the island. The grounds cover roughly six times the area of the Tokyo Dome and hold four room wings to suit different styles of travel, along with indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, and a golf course.
Ishigaki Island was Japan’s first certified Dark Sky Place, so the star-filled skies here are something special, and the resort also makes a convenient base for day trips to Taketomi, Iriomote, and the other outlying islands.
Rental Cars on Ishigaki Island
A rental car is by far the best way to get around Ishigaki Island.
Scenic spots such as Kabira Bay and Yonehara Beach are spread across the island, so having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Bus services on Ishigaki Island are infrequent, and a car makes a real difference to how much you can fit in.
Cars fill up quickly in the peak season, so we recommend booking early once your travel dates are set. One important note for overseas visitors: to drive in Japan you must obtain an International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention) in your home country before you depart, and remember that traffic in Japan drives on the left.
Summary
This guide has covered the quieter beaches of Ishigaki Island.
Ishigaki Island has beaches of every kind, from well-known favorites to places almost no one reaches.
The beaches here see relatively few visitors, which makes them good places to sit on the sand and take in Okinawa at your own pace.
One thing to note: most of these quieter beaches have no one managing them, so take real care when going into the water.
Each has its own character and all of them are beautiful, so do make the trip.
We have also put together a guide to the most popular and best-known beaches on Ishigaki Island, so do take a look if you want to know what else the island has.
I hope this guide has been of some use.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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