The beauty of Ishigaki island in Okinawa

Ishigaki (The stone wall)


The first time I have ever step my feet in Ishigaki Island of Okinawa, I felt so warm inside my heart. It was strange feeling like a Deja vu strike in my mind, I thought I have been here before. I felt so familiar with every thing in this island. The sun, the air, the view, the blue color of the sea, the white stone wall surrounding the houses and the smile in every faces of the people which blended well. It has triggered explosion of happiness in my heart instantly. I said to my self, "I am in love to this place".
Ishigaki island was just so beautiful in every way.

The people of Ishigaki is genuinely kind. They have easy going life style which make their life is more enjoyable. Ishigaki island is around 229.00 km² with 46,938 people live in there peacefully for over years. The island it self is so small, it is easy for the people who live there to know each other. They have only 1 police station, 1 elementary school, 1 public library, domestic airport and a moss burger. There is no McDonald in the island. You need to fly to Naha to have a Quarter Pounder. 

Hirakubo Light house

The landscape and site seeing area are amazing in Ishigaki island. There are a lot of beautiful viewing sites and beaches. One of my favorite viewing site in Ishigaki island is Hirakubo point.  The first time I stood up over that place, my eyes and my mine were opened wide. I felt so peaceful!
The turquoise water of the sea and the blue sky merged perfectly in the horizon created endless smile on your face.
This is why Hirakubo is one of my best favorite places in the world.

Ishigaki island also has a few nice surfing breaks. The best swell is always in winter time but during typhoon season in summer some of the reefs can handle up to 5 meters wave. One of my favorite point break is Uganzaki. It has nice right break and in winter time you can enjoy a short tube ride too.
Because Ishigaki is far from Tokyo, not so many surfer from the main land come to ride the break. The would rather going over seas as the flight ticket price isn't so different.

Great news for windsurfers, Ishigaki island is the best windsurfing spot in Asia. It has very strong regular wind blowing in winter time. I was windsurfing instructor for almost 3 years in Kabira village of Ishigaki island. Those 3 years was the best windsurfing time out of 10 in my life. I have been teaching windsurfing in all over Asia for about 10 years, there was no place had such a perfect wind like Ishigaki island. 

Kite surfing also just started when I was there. I was working for Robert Teriitehau windsurf school at that time and one of the most popular Hawaiian kitesurfer came for a short promotion of his kitesurfing product, Pete Cabrinha. He came for a few days to test his products.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing in Ishigaki is just awesome. The kitesurfer in this picture is the first Ishigaki local kitesurfer. His name is  Chikara Tsumura. He is the real islander and loves mingle with nature. He kites, surfs, windsurfs and a great person too. I met him sinced I came to Ishigaki and he was so generous. He show me around and briefed me anything I wanted to know about Ishigaki island. He also own a water sports company calls Island club. This company provides most of your need to do water sports activity in the island. You can look up in this link for more informations about it (www.islandclub.co.jp).


Well, I think I just drifted my self back to Ishigaki to far. It is time for me to wake up and let the beautiful dream remains. If you ever step your feet on Ishigaki island, please don't forget to share your story with me.


Thank you to spare your time to read my story and I wish you to have a nice day.