In August, my birthday month, I was delighted to receive a 15,000 yen birthday coupon from JAL Mileage Bank for domestic travel. I redeemed it for a dynamic package, which covered airfare and accommodation for a four-day, three-night stay on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture. It was a new destination for me, and I planned the trip from October 20th (Sunday) to 23rd (Wednesday), coinciding with the anticipated end of the typhoon season.

October 20th (Sun)
There are two direct flights daily from Haneda to Ishigaki Island. The first departs at 6:20, which is quite early, so I opted for the subsequent flight, JAL973. It leaves Haneda at 14:35 and arrives in Ishigaki at 17:30. This route is among the longest domestic flights, comparable in duration to a flight to Taipei, Taiwan. Despite a slight delay due to headwinds, the hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle bus transported me to Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas within 30 minutes. The attached photo was taken at the hotel entrance the following morning.

After resting in the room, I dined at the hotel’s Ryukyu Shintenchi restaurant, which offers Ryukyu and Asian cuisine. The specialty of the house, giant clam sashimi, was served.

Following dinner, we visited the expansive public bath situated near the heart of the facility. However, as it was past 8:00 p.m., the area was bustling with families and their children.

October 21st (Mon)
During an early morning breakfast at the buffet, I admired the building housing the front desk, which boasted a pleasant atmosphere. Ishigaki Island, being near the westernmost point of Japan, experiences a later sunrise.

This morning, I booked a ticket for a regular sightseeing bus departing from Ishigakijima’s bus terminal at 9:30. Consequently, I took a taxi to the terminal, finished the necessary procedures, and boarded the bus. The first stop where I alighted was Tojinbaka.

This Chinese-style graveyard, established in 1971, commemorates Chinese peoples who perished tragically in 1852. During the transport of 400 Chinese laborers by the American slave trader Robert Bauan from Xiamen, China to California, the laborers revolted against the crew’s brutal violence. They killed the captain and seven crew members but ended up stranded on Ishigaki Island where they were later rescued. Subsequently, American and British ships bombarded the laborers, leading to their capture and demise. The bus guide mentioned that the Chinese lion statue at this site is believed to be the precursor to Okinawa’s shisa. The graveyard overlooks the sea, with a view of the flat expanse of Taketomi Island in the distance.

En route to Kabira Bay, we spotted a Crested Eagle, native to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands, perched atop a utility pole. Although the photo was taken from within the bus and is somewhat blurry, it unmistakably captured the raptor.

At Kabira Bay, an optional glass-bottom boat ride is available for 1,000 yen, typically priced at 1,300 yen. The glass-bottom boat that I experienced is depicted here.

The pictures turned out blurry as they were taken through glass, yet I managed to observe colonies of giant clams.

Upon disembarking, I strolled along the beach, graced with the finest sand I’ve ever encountered. It appears that the swift currents of Kabira Bay have ground the sand into fine grains. A panoramic view of Kabira Bay unfolds from the coastal promenade ascending from the beach.

The tour bus package, priced at 4,700 yen, is an excellent value as it includes lunch. We dined at a restaurant named Auntie Poser’s Table for our meal.

I anticipated a simple lunch, but it ended up being a hearty hamburger steak set meal, complemented by a local beer.

From the terrace, the East China Sea is visible. Since the island is an elevated coral reef, waves break at the reef’s edge, allowing only gentle ripples to caress the shore.

After lunch, we made our way to Maibara to explore a pristine forest of Yaeyama palm trees, unique to the Yaeyama Islands. Entering the forest, we strolled through the dense jungle, enveloped by the towering palms.

We then made our way to Tamatorizaki Observatory. The panorama from the observation deck was breathtaking, showcasing the stark contrast of the blue sky, the cobalt blue of the coral reef waters, and the deep blue of the open ocean.

Many hibiscus flowers are blooming along the promenade.

The bus journeyed along the roads skirting the east coast of Ishigaki Island, passing by the Ishigaki Island Airport and reaching the bus terminal shortly after 2:00 p.m. In 1771, the east coast of Ishigaki Island was devastated by a massive tsunami, known as Meiwa’s Big Tsunami, which claimed the lives of half the island’s population. In response to this tragedy, the present-day roads are constructed at a distance from the coast, resulting in a noticeable scarcity of houses along the coastal area.

From the bus terminal, I took a taxi back to the hotel and first went to the large public bath to avoid the crowds. For dinner tonight, I went to Ryukyu Shintenchi again and had seared Ishigaki beef and a platter of local fish sashimi.

October 22nd (Tue)
Today, I chose to unwind by the hotel pool. The property features a pool and a beach at the end of the central walkway. Due to the site’s vastness, guests can use the carts provided for transportation, as depicted in the photo. I was interested in snorkeling; however, I had to forgo it since the age limit for participation is below 65.

The hotel’s private beach is staffed with lifeguards, ensuring safe swimming even in October.

The facility features three pools of equal size, arranged in a terraced layout, along with a separate pool for children.

Lying by the pool and gazing upwards, one can feel as though summer is still at its peak.

I experienced a resort-like atmosphere on Ishigaki Island without traveling abroad. For dinner, my plan was to enjoy a BBQ at Beachside Grill Kachibai with the sunset view, but the cloudy sky obscured the sunset, and there was no live music that evening. Despite being a BBQ, appetizers were provided, and an assortment of grilled meats was brought to each table from the back of the restaurant. It was an all-you-can-eat setup, but due to my age, I didn’t go for many helpings.

October 23rd (Wed）
Returning home, I boarded JAL972, which left Ishigaki Airport at 10:45 and touched down at Haneda Airport at 13:25. After breakfast, I caught the complimentary shuttle to Ishigaki Airport. Anticipating lunchtime during the flight, I purchased a roast beef bowl featuring Ishigaki beef from a convenience store and enjoyed it as my midday meal on board.

Even with the limited availability of direct flights, I was able to spend just over two days on Ishigaki Island and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. I used a birthday coupon and the timing was perfect, allowing me to travel in Class J for both legs of the journey. The cost was quite affordable, approximately 75,000 yen per person for both flights and accommodation, making the trip very satisfying.