DIY Port Day in Ishigaki: No Tour, No Stress, Just Walking

DIY Port Day in Ishigaki: No Tour, No Stress, Just Walking

Hi friends, welcome to Ishigaki, Japan, a small island south of Okinawa with about 43,000 residents. We got here on a Costa Serena cruise. Debbarcation was easy and in our cabin the night before arrival, we received bus tickets with the boarding time. We had planned to walk to town from the ship, but only recommend doing this if you are an avid walker. Otherwise, it might be a bit much, especially on a hot day. So, although the line was long, waiting in line for the bus to town may be a better option. The walk took about 45 minutes each way. The plan was to visit the public market and walk back. Other options on this island would have been a canoe trip through the river or a visit to a stelactite cave. We can canoe at home, and we have seen way too many caves recently, so a walk it was. Costa or MSC, which also docks here, offer excursions, but you can DIY if you plan ahead. Just be back on time. Costa waits for no one. The bridge was under construction, so no river views until you reach the far side. And by this point, let’s just say the slight uphill workout was starting to feel personal, but in a good way. Ishagaki’s architecture, mountains, and ocean views echo the charm of Okinawa, but on a more intimate scale. Here, it feels as if time has paused, quiet, unhurried, and beautifully still. The plan today was to walk to the city market, followed by the port terminal, which by the way would have been the location where the bus would have dropped us off if we had taken it. We walked through it for a few minutes and finally made our way back to the bridge by walking through the Bay Area. Here we found a charter boat rental for everyone who is interested. Images at the end of the video. We walked the quiet road for about 5 more minutes. And for such a small island, it was surprising to see so many hotels and cafes. We finally made it. This is Uglina Mallal. Part market, part-time capsule. But first, if you see purple sweet potato anything as in this shop, grab it. It’s Ishagaki’s unofficial flavor and so tasty. In this shopping area, you’ll find handmade shisa statues, yaya textiles, and enough local snacks to derail your lunch plans. At the end of this block, you’re going to turn right and go to the next block that runs parallel to this one. That is where you’ll find all the food shops. Most of them were closed when we visited. They start opening at 11:00 a.m. This is a very small area, so within a few minutes, we headed toward the pier. Just a pleasant 10-minute walk from this market, we were now at the remote island port terminal where buses had been dropping off cruise passengers. After walking around and looking at all the fishing boats, we encounter this charter boat company. You can hire them for snorkeling, diving, or just to cruise around the bay, but make sure to reserve in advance. No tour, no stress, just walking on our own terms. And that quickly we were heading back to the ship. Thanks for watching and subscribing. Until next time.

Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan
Walking Ishigaki: Cruise Port to Market in One Easy Loop
No tour buses, no tight schedules—just a camera, comfy shoes, and 3 hours in Ishigaki. This self-guided walking tour takes you from the cruise port to local market —all within easy reach. Whether you’re walking for exercise, exploring the town, or just soaking in the culture, Ishigaki proves you don’t need a guide to enjoy your port day.

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