Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
route, coming or going, to either Taketomi or Kohama. Thus, here is one of the rare oppor-
tunities where it is possible, with proper planning, to travel to one island and continue to an-
other without needlessly backtracking to the central hub, in this case Ishigaki.
Iriomote, the largest island in the Yaeyamas, as seen across Manta Way from Kohamajima.
One of the high-speed Ishigaki-Iriomote ferries.
Travel time between Ishigaki and Ohara, without any stops, is 35 minutes. Sailing dis-
tance is just over 19 miles (30 kilometers). In addition to the foregoing high-speed ferries,
three times a week a passenger and vehicle ferry runs between the two islands. It's
slower—sailing takes about two hours one way—but it costs about a third less. Obviously, you
can bring your vehicle with you on this ferry although that naturally costs more. For all the
possibilities and current schedules and prices it's best to check with the tourist information
service at Ishigaki Port.
Iriomote's other commercial port, Uehara, at the top northwest side of the island, has
somewhat less frequent service than Ohara, but not much less. During the busy summer sea-
son there are about 20 daily high-speed ferries between Ishigaki and Iriomote, about one
every half hour. In winter cut that number in half, but that's still about one every hour
throughout the day. Note that several of these trips will make a stop along the way, in this
case to the small island of Hatoma, just above Iriomote. Without the stop, travel time is 40
minutes one way. The sailing distance between Ishigaki Port and Uehara is 23 miles (37 kilo-
meters). Add a few and an extra 20 minutes if your ship makes the stop at Hatoma. In addi-
tion to the fast passenger service there is also a thrice-weekly passenger and vehicle ferry on
