Ishigaki and remote islands / A journey through the beautiful scenery of Japan’s paradise / 4K Vlog
This time, our journey starts from Kobe Airport. Our final destination is Ishigaki Island. We’ll transfer at Naha Airport to get there. This journey was inspired by a desire to see beautiful ocean and the island’s traditional scenery. Here at Naha, we transfer to a flight bound for Ishigaki Island. Ishigaki Island is a remote island about 410 kilometers from Okinawa’s main island. We’re approaching Ishigaki Island, surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. Ishigaki is the central island of the Yaeyama region. It’s the gateway to the surrounding remote islands. We got a late start today, so we’re just going to the hotel. We had a room with a great view, and the sunset was beautiful. It’s the perfect hotel for solo travelers. This evening, I’m planning to visit an izakaya with a real Okinawan vibe. Here, we can enjoy authentic Okinawan dishes with live island music. This is the best non-alcoholic beer I’ve ever had. This was top of my list for Okinawan food. I’d heard this area is known for tuna, so I really wanted to try it. We also got to enjoy a live performance of Okinawan music. Now we’re heading to Kabira Park, the most famous spot on Ishigaki Island. Kabira Bay is one of Ishigaki’s most scenic spots, awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide. Its emerald-green waters, white sands, and lush surroundings create a breathtaking view. Often called the ‘seven-colored’ or ‘rainbow sea,’ it shifts in color with the changing sunlight. I’m planning to try SUP and a glass-bottom boat ride here. Clear SUP is an activity where we ride a transparent board and enjoy a relaxing paddle on the water. After a short lesson from the instructor, we can take a peaceful ride across Kabira Bay. It feels like walking on water, with a clear view of the sea below. The tour I joined included GoPro and drone footage, which was a great bonus. Next, let’s hop on a glass-bottom boat to see the coral reefs. It’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy the beauty of the ocean. We can see coral and marine life up close through the boat’s glass bottom. If we’re lucky, we might even see a sea turtle. We’ve reached the coral reef area. The captain says he’s seen a sea turtle! I was truly moved to see a sea turtle. Let’s take the same bus back to the ferry terminal. For lunch today, I’m planning to eat at a Yaeyama soba restaurant. The soup is light but flavorful, made from a base of pork bones and bonito broth. It’s topped with ‘soki’ (pork spare ribs simmered in a sweet and savory sauce). The noodles are thick and chewy, typical of Okinawa-style soba. Jūshī is Okinawan-style seasoned rice cooked with meat and vegetables. Thank you for Okinawa’s soul food Now it’s time to board a ferry to Taketomi Island from the ferry terminal. Taketomi Island is located about 6 kilometers from Ishigaki. Today, we’ll stay overnight on the island and take a relaxing walk around. Taketomi Island is a small island, only 9.2 kilometers around. It’s a place of red-tiled rooftops, coral stone walls, and white sand paths. It feels like a paradise, with vibrant flowers blooming all around. Here, we can experience the timeless beauty of traditional Okinawan life. This area is officially protected for its traditional architecture, with historic streets beautifully preserved. Taketomi’s most iconic attraction is the water buffalo cart ride. Water buffalo were once used for farming and transport, and played an important role in daily island life. Today, we can ride in a cart pulled by a buffalo and enjoy the slow, nostalgic charm of the village. The ride takes about 25 minutes, slowly touring the village streets. Along the way, the guide plays traditional island songs on the sanshin. I was truly moved by the beautiful singing. Our hardworking buffalo today was Kaiji-kun, just four years old. Built in 1913, this traditional house is a prime example of island architecture and lifestyle. We can even go inside and see how people once lived. And of course, we can’t forget Taketomi’s beautiful beaches. Let’s take a walk through the village and head toward the shore. This beach is also known as ‘Star Sand Beach. We can find tiny grains shaped like stars and suns. Next, we’ve arrived at Kondoi Beach—another well-known beach nearby. This shallow beach features white sand and stunning cobalt-blue water. Since swimming is allowed, it looks like the perfect place to take a dip. Too hot for anything… maybe I’ll just nap in the shade. Time to return to town and check in to our stay for the night. The oldest inn on the island, it offers a warm and homey atmosphere. Every dish was delicious and served in generous portions. It’s always fun to see how food changes from place to place. Interestingly, a famous Japanese author Shiba Ryoutarou is said to have stayed here too. Thank you for the delicious and heartfelt meal. After dinner, let’s head to the pier to watch the sunset. This spot is known as the best place to to catch the evening glow.. If you’re staying overnight, it’s a must-visit at dusk. Now, let’s take a moment and enjoy the sunset together. What an incredible view. Even the regulars say it’s rare to see a sunset this stunning. A hearty and nutritious breakfast to start the day. I usually have toast in the morning, but this traditional Japanese meal was a nice change. With coffee and even dessert included, I was more than satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful breakfast🙏 Today, let’s head to Kohama Island. After returning to Ishigaki, we caught a ferry to Kohama Island. I’m planning to enjoy a relaxing bike ride around the island. This island is known for its beautiful ocean views and peaceful sugarcane fields. It also gained fame as the setting for the NHK TV drama “Churasan”. With such a calm and scenic landscape, cycling is the perfect way to explore. At 99 meters high, this is the island’s tallest hill. We can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view. This is a quiet, little-known beach. I found it thanks to a tip from the local bike rental guy. A great place to unwind and enjoy the calm. This spot offers a great view of the mangrove forest. Mangroves grow where the sea meets the land, supporting coastal life. This beach sits at the tip of a long cape that stretches out from the island’s western edge. Iriomote Island is clearly visible across the Yonara Channel from this beach. This channel is also known as ‘Manta Way,’ where manta rays are said to migrate through. On both sides, sugarcane fields and pastures stretch out, creating a picture-perfect landscape. This spot is well known as a filming location for the NHK morning drama “Churasan”. After about two and a half hours, we’ve completed our ride around the island. It’s just about time to catch the ferry back to Ishigaki. As soon as we arrived in Ishigaki, tonight’s inn picked us up. I decided to stay here for the beautiful views from the room. It’s beautifully located on a hill overlooking the ocean. There’s also a lovely, well-tended garden. It’s nice just relaxing in the cozy room. Lying in a hammock on the rooftop, feeling the breeze, was also a highlight. But the greatest moment is watching the sunset from there. Tonight, we were treated to another stunning sunset. It made me feel deeply connected to this planet we live on. Breakfast was wonderful. We enjoyed it on a terrace with an amazing view. The sandwiches were absolutely delicious. A perfect breakfast to wrap up this wonderful journey. Once again, I thankthfuly discovered a new and beautiful side of Japan. Thank you so much for watching. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Please subscribe if you haven’t already. If you enjoyed the video, please give it a thumbs up! I look forward to seeing you in the next video.
Join me on a journey through Ishigaki, Taketomi, and Kohama Islands—three stunning islands in Okinawa.
From emerald-blue waters and peaceful beaches to rich island culture and delicious local cuisine, this trip was full of unforgettable moments.
Experience the charm of the southern islands of Japan in this relaxing travel vlog.
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⏱️Video Timeline
00:00 Opening
00:50 Solaseed Air Flight from Kobe to Ishigaki via Okinawa Naha
05:59 Stay at Toyoko Inn Ishigaki
09:24 -2nd day-
10:19 Kabira Bay
12:33 Clear SUP experience at Kabira bay
14:27 Glass-bottom boat tour https://www.instagram.com/kabiramarineservice/
17:48 Lunch at Yaeyama Soba Yumenoya https://www.instagram.com/yumenoya_yaeyamasoba/
20:32 Taketomi Island
22:02 Water Buffalo Cart Tour
25:52 Taketomi Island Beach
28:22 Stay at Takana Ryokan Inn
30:46 Sunset View at West Pier
32:34 – day 3 –
36:08 Cycling on Kohama Island
43:46 Stay at Pension Three Heart https://www.instagram.com/pension_3heart/
46:27 – day 4 – breakfast and flight from Ishigaki to Kansai (Ending)
🌎Locations
Ishigaki Island, Taketomi Island, Kohama Island
in Okinawa Prefecture, JAPAN🇯🇵
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