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Ishigaki guidebook written by Me-Fi-You ​

Welcome to Ishigaki Island!
This guidebook is created by the hosts of Me-Fi-You Ishigaki Island, an Airbnb accommodation located in Ishigaki City.
We have compiled our recommendations for restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, activities, and more to help you make the most of your trip.
We hope you find this guidebook useful and enjoy your stay on Ishigaki Island!

Table of contents ​

Getting to Airbnb ​

Me-fi-You Ishigaki Island / みぃふぁいゆ〜石垣島 - Google Maps

Via car:

  • Airbnb is 30 minutes from the airport.
  • Airbnb is 10 minutes from the remote island terminal or the downtown area.

Via taxi:

  • Tell drivers "about 500 meters before the Ishigaki Youth House."

No shops nearby!

Restaurants and cafes ​

Mirumiru Hompo Honten ​

ひとし 本店 ​

Eiko Seafood Izakaya ​

Morinokenja ​

  • Type of meal: Dinner.
  • Recommended for vegetable-focused dishes and unique awamori. Takeaway hors d'oeuvres available with advance order.
  • Reservation info: Reservations essential due to limited seating.
  • Morinokenja / 森の賢者 - Google Maps
  • Phone: 0980-83-5609

Yafa-yafa ​

  • Type of meal: Dinner.
  • Cozy, home-like restaurant with a warm atmosphere.
  • Reservation info: Reservations recommended.
  • Recommended dishes:
    • Chawanmushi with Yaeyama soba (八重山そばの茶わん蒸し).
    • Japanese-style rolled omelet (だし巻き卵).
    • Nabera champuru stir-fry with sponge gourd (ナーべラー［へちま］チャンプルー).
    • Sashimi (刺身) is also excellent.
  • Yafa-yafa / 島料理 やふぁやふぁ - Google Maps
  • Phone: 090-1948-3161

島そば一番地 ​

Yakiniku Kingyu ​

島イタリアンいゆ ​

Sunny cafe + Stay ​

石垣島のカフェ＆カレー トラベラーズカフェ朔 ​

Galopine et Galopin ​

  • Type of meal: Lunch, dinner.
  • Italian restaurant in downtown Ishigaki. Pizza is a must-try. Limited seating.
  • Reservation info: Reservations recommended.
  • Galopine et Galopin - Google Maps
  • Phone: 0980-87-5751

Akubi ​

  • Type of meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
  • Restaurant specializing in organically grown vegetables. Located in the northern Nosoko area, convenient for early starts.
  • Reservation info: Reservations required by the day before.
  • Hours:
    • Breakfast: 8:00 - 10:00
    • Lunch: 12:00 - 14:00
    • Dinner: 18:00 - (last order 20:00)
  • Akubi / 石垣島喫茶あくび - Google Maps
  • Phone: 090-1910-6518

Galopin ​

Tofu Higa ​

  • Type of meal: Breakfast, lunch.
  • Tofu specialty shop serving Okinawan yushi-dofu, gentle on the stomach. Small selection of set meals, toppings, and side dishes.
  • Hours: Open from 6:30 AM until sold out (no later than 3:00 PM).
  • During peak season mornings, lines form before opening. Plan to arrive early.
  • Tofu Higa / とうふの比嘉 - Google Maps
  • Phone: 0980824806

ちねんや～新川店 ​

  • Type of meal: Dinner.
  • Izakaya from Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu. Enjoy a Yaeyama and Miyazaki collaboration of tuna and charcoal-grilled seafood. The unique dish "tuna cutlet nanban" prepares local tuna in the style of chicken nanban, and may not always be on the regular menu. Authentic charcoal-grilled local chicken is also available. Parking for two cars.
  • ちねんや～新川店 - Google Maps
  • Phone: 0980-82-8880

Azusamaru ​

  • Type of meal: Dinner.
  • Izakaya run by a fishmonger. Popular with locals for fresh fish from the waters around Ishigaki at reasonable prices. Seasonal specialties may include simmered grouper (miibai), salt-grilled tuna collar, grilled half Ishigaki spiny lobster, tuna eyes, turban shell tsuboyaki, and luminous shell stir-fried with garlic chives. About 5 - 6 minutes by car from Me-fi-You.
  • Azusamaru / あずさ丸 - Google Maps
  • Phone: 0980-87-5020

Koteppen ​

  • Type of meal: Dinner.
  • Long-standing island izakaya for Okinawan dishes, Ishigaki beef, and seafood.
  • The signature "Teppen-mori" assortment is popular.
  • Good for groups, with counter, box, and tatami seating.
  • Location: The island's former entertainment district; just past the Euglena Mall.
  • Koteppen - Google Maps
  • Phone: 0980-88-8581

宮良農園 ​

KLATCH COFFEE ​

  • Type of meal: Breakfast, lunch.
  • Coffee shop with hot sandwiches and donuts. Open from 7:00 AM, which is convenient before remote island trips. Cold brew is refreshing on hot days.
  • Reservation info: Not required.
  • KLATCH COFFEE - Airbnb

Marusa ​

  • Type of meal: Dinner.
  • Lively izakaya focused on island dishes. Extensive, well-balanced menu with very good flavors. Always crowded.
  • Reservation info: Reservations required.
  • Marusa - Airbnb

Convenience stores ​

JA Okinawa Farmers Market Yaeyama Yuratiku Market ​

  • JA Okinawa Farmers Market Yaeyama Yuratiku Market - Airbnb
  • About 7 minutes by car from Me-fi-You, at the west edge of downtown. Island vegetables and fruits grown by local farmers are especially fresh, colorful, and reasonably priced, and are recommended.
  • On your arrival day, stop here first to buy ingredients. The seafood sold here, such as sashimi and sea grapes, is also delicious.

Chinen Shokai ​

  • Chinen Shokai - Airbnb
  • A local supermarket known to those in the know. The famous "Onisasa" (a rice ball combined with a fried chicken tender) is ideal as a quick lunch for busy travelers, or as a snack for children. There is also self-serve Yaeyama soba where you pour soup from a pot into a container, prepared foods, island-made seasonings, fruits, and island tofu.
  • This supermarket is not on the typical tourist route, and it shows Ishigaki's relaxed local lifestyle. Find items that suit your taste.
  • About 10 minutes by car from Me-fi-You.

MaxValu Arakawa ​

  • MaxValu Arakawa - Airbnb
  • MaxValu Shinkawa Store: 5 minutes by car from Me-fi-You.
  • MaxValu Ishigaki Store: 10 minutes by car from Me-fi-You.

Anything else ​

We mainly introduce lesser-known spots. For famous spots, please also see the access map at the end of the listing photos.

ネイミュージアムオブアート 八重山友禅染め 石垣島 ​

観音崎駐車場 ​

  • 観音崎駐車場 - Airbnb
  • Kannonzaki Parking Lot - Google Maps
  • Sunset spot. Ideal for a seaside walk and also famous for sunsets. Jogging while watching the sunset after the temperature drops is good.
  • Start here, run along the coast to Funakura Park, about 4 km one way in just under 30 minutes. Return to Kannonzaki for a total of about 8 km, around 1 hour.
  • About 7 minutes by car from Me-fi-You to the Kannonzaki parking lot. If the lot is crowded, you can also use the parking at the Tojin Baka across the road.
  • Recommended jogging courses that start and end at Me-fi-You are also shown on the map.

Nosokodake (Mape) ​

  • Nosokodake (Mape) - Airbnb
  • Nosokodake (Māpē) - Google Maps
  • Scenic viewpoint. The second-highest mountain on Ishigaki Island. Recommended for hiking and views in all seasons except summer, which is very hot.
  • Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view at the summit. Park at the trailhead lot, which is easy to miss. The hike through the jungle takes about 20 minutes for fit adults and feels rewarding for the time spent. Elementary school children can also climb it.
  • Because there are slopes and rocky areas, wear long sleeves and long pants, and sneakers. Work gloves are helpful.
  • From the nearby Nosoko Observation Deck, you can enjoy views of northern Ishigaki without hiking.

KLATCH Coworking Space ​

  • KLATCH Coworking Space - Airbnb
  • KLATCH Coworking Space - Google Maps
  • Coworking space. The second coworking space on Ishigaki opened in April 2021 in the city center.
  • There is a share space where conversation and phone calls are allowed, a quiet space for focus, and private booths that are useful for conference calls.
  • Fees: 500 yen per hour, 2,000 yen per day. Parking is available in front of KLATCH COFFEE (a 2-minute walk from the coworking space) for 500 yen per day, with a discount from the second time.
  • Open even during states of emergency. Details: https://workation-lab.com/
  • Phone: 0980-87-9911

Activities ​

コバラム真栄里店 ​

Yellow Submarine ​

  • Yellow Submarine - Airbnb
  • Yellow Submarine - Google Maps
  • Snorkeling and diving. Based in Ibaruma in northern Ishigaki, where the water is clear and the coral is healthy. Enjoy relaxed diving and snorkeling.
  • Introductory diving and family snorkeling are welcome. After the activity, shower and change at the shop, then review your logbook while looking at the sea in the shop's garden.
  • Free pickup is available.
  • Details: http://www.ys-ds.com/v2/

石垣島セルフィッシュ ​

Jogging courses around Me-fi-You Ishigaki Island ​

  • From Me-fi-You to Mirumiru Hompo: about 3 km one way.
  • From the parking below Kannonzaki Lighthouse along the sea to Funakura Park: about 4 km one way.
  • Morning jogging or jogging at sunset both offer changing scenery, wind, and colors. Enjoy the differences.

西表島ガイドUMICO Iriomote Guide UMICOカヌー/カヤック＆トレッキング ​

Yaeyama Kanko Ferry ​

Traveler advice ​