Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Cape Tamatori Observatory is a good place to stop and admire the view along the east coast road
north to the very end of the island.
Ishigaki Island is big enough that you'll probably want to rent a car or scooter in order
to get around. There are plenty of rental places in town. For our discussion below, we'll circle
the island in a counter-clockwise direction in order to catch the morning sun on the east side
and the afternoon sun and evening sunset on the west.
Leaving Ishigaki City, heading east on Route 390, it's about 2.25 miles (3 kilometers) past
the present airport to the ANA Intercontinental Resort Hotel. There is an excellent beach
all along this section of coast, Maezato (
マエザトビーチ
; Maézato bīchi). Although the ANA
Hotel occupies a portion of the beachfront, Maezato Beach is public and open to anyone.
There are freshwater showers there. From the ANA it's only another 4 miles (6 kilometers) to
the small town of Shiraho (
白保
) and this is where the island's most scenic drive really begins.
From Cape Hirakubo, the northernmost tip of Ishigaki-jima, there is a spectacular view of the ocean and
the islet of Daichi-Hanare offshore.
For the next 22 miles (35 kilometers), all the way to the island's top at Cape Hirakubo (
平
久保崎
; Hirakubo-zaki), it is one gorgeous vista after another. It's a drive you'll never forget.
About halfway up there's a spectacular panorama from the Cape Tamatori Observation Point
(
玉取崎展望台
; Tamatori-zaki Tenbō-dai). As you come up this long, narrow arm of Ishigaki,
for the first half of the way you'll have the Pacific Ocean on your right. For the second half,
the East China Sea will be on your left. It's one of the most beautiful driving excursions in the
Yaeyamas or the Ryukyus, or anywhere for that matter.
Ishigaki Beef (
石垣牛
) Ishigaki-gyū
He may not know it, but he's highly prized—and delicious. Most people have heard of Kobé beef (
神
戸ビーフ
; Kōbe Bīfu). That's a registered trademark of the Kobé Beef Associaion and is reserved for
