Activities

Ishigaki is all about enjoying the outdoors and there are plenty of activities on offer, some of which can be enjoyed without having to join a tour. Why not enjoy the unforgettable experience of diving with manta rays or perhaps challenge yourself to hike to the top of Okinawa's tallest mountain.

Banna Park

Positioned just a few miles north of the city center this beautiful park which surrounds a mountain is a great spot for walking, sightseeing and bird watching.

A large adventure playground makes it a great destination for families with small children.

Climb Mt. Nosoko

Mt. Nosoko, or 'Nosoko Maapee' as it is more commonly known, is not a particularly high mountain, but its distinctive peak along with the magnificent views which it offers make it a prime hiking destination. Climbing Nosoko Maapee is one of THE activities that visitors to Ishigaki island should try to work into their schedules.

Climb Mt. Omoto

Mt. Omoto may only be 528 meters high but it's still Okinawa's tallest mountain and on a hot and humid summer's day it offers a fair hike to the top.

Climb Omoto during the warmer months and you're guaranteed to encounter dozens of lizards, spiders and maybe even the odd Habu snake.

Diving

If you've ever fancied the idea of diving with huge, majestic manta rays then Ishigaki is the perfect location for you. Ishigaki's 'manta scramble', which is located just a couple of miles from Kabira bay, is one of the best places to reliably spot Manta's in the world.

In addition there are dozens of popular dive sites in the Yaeyama island chain which compare well to those elsewhere in Asia.

Ishigaki Triathlon

The Ishigaki Triathlon is an important annual event on the international triathlon calendar which attracts top-class professional triathletes from all over the world. It is held in the Tonoshiro port area and takes place on a Sunday towards the end of April. Flags, stages and marquees are raised and media crews from Japan and further afield congregate to document the event. The is one of the fews days of the year when the centre of Ishigaki truly...

Kayaking

Kayaking is a popular activity on the island. Local operators offer kayaking along Ishigaki's mangrove-lined rivers in addition to ocean tours which frequently include reef snorkeling.

Those of you who choose to head out to Iriomote island will get the chance to kayak up larger rivers which lead to waterfalls.

Snorkeling

Many of Ishigaki's coral reefs are positioned so close to shore and in shallow water that you don't need to dive to enjoy their beauty. The reefs team with tropical fish and if you join a tour you may even get the chance to see manta rays.