Part of the Okinawa group of islands, the southern part of the Nansei-shoto islands, Ishigaki Island is a true tropical getaway. There are numerous opportunites for diving and hiking and splendid beaches on which to relax.

The main town of the island is called Ishigaki and centres on its harbour. There are plenty of places to go snorkelling over coral reefs off the shore and the waters of Kabira Ishizaki often have manta rays in spring and summer. Inland there are many hikes including one around the eroded core of a volcano.