Access to Taketomi's Islands
[The results will be displayed here.]→
Iriomote Island Transport Information
Uehara Port: 40-60 min. from Ishigaki Port by fast ferry
Ohara Port: 35-40 min. from Ishigaki Port by fast ferryIn the event the ferry to Uehara Port is canceled due to inclement weather, there may be a free shuttle bus from Ohara Port to the Iriomote area. Transport options on the island include rental cars, rental motorcycles, fixed route buses, and taxis (booking required).* Charter taxis and sightseeing buses available.
Iriomote Island Fixed-Route BusesHatoma Island Transport Information
Hatoma Port: 40-45 min. from Ishigaki Port by fast ferry
Hatoma Port: 10 min. from Uehara Port by fast ferryRental cycles are also available,
but it is of readily walkable size.
In addition, roads outside of the villages are not paved, so ride cautiously when using a bicycle.Yubu Island Transport Information
22 min. from Iriomote Island Ohara Port by fixed-route bus
40 min. from Iriomote Island Uehara Port by fixed-route bus
15 min. from Yubu Water Buffalo Cart Stand by oxcart
Visitors travel by water buffalo cart from the Yubu Water Buffalo Cart Stand located on the shore opposite Iriomote Island about 20 min. from Ohara Port by fixed-route bus, taxi, or rental car. The entire island is a subtropical botanical garden.
Kohama Island Transport Information
Kohama Port: 25-30 min. from Ishigaki Port by fast ferry
Kohama Port: 30 min. from Ohara Port by fast ferry
Kohama Port: 25 min. from Taketomi Port by fast ferry
While rental cycles are recommended for getting around the island at your own pace, there are many slopes, so please use a rental car or motorcycle if you are not confident in your stamina. For those not confident in driving, the sightseeing bus that tours the island’s highlights is recommended.
Kohama Island Sightseeing BusKayama Island Transport Information
There are no scheduled ferries to Kayama Island.
To visit Kayama Island, a tour application with Sanwa Travel is required.Taketomi Island Transport Information
Taketomi Port: 10-15 min. from Ishigaki Port by fast ferry
Taketomi Port: 35 min. from Ohara Port by fast ferry
Taketomi Port: 25 min. from Kohama Port by fast ferry
There are buses running from the port to the village and the beach.
Taketomi Island Tour Bus
The is an island sightseeing bus and sightseeing taxis, but for those who wish to wander around the village while enjoying the island’s scenery at a relaxed pace, walking or rental cycles are recommended.Kuroshima Island Transport Information
Kuroshima Port: 25-30 min. from Ishigaki Port by fast ferry
The island is flat with few slopes, so rental bicycles or motorcycles allow visitors to roam at a relaxed pace while watching the cattle with relative ease.
Rental cars are also available,Aragusuku Island Transport Information
Aragusuku Island has no scheduled ferry service, so please use a snorkeling tour from Iriomote Island or Ishigaki Island, etc.
In addition, the island is of readily walkable size.Hateruma Island Transport Information
Hateruma Port: 100 min. from Ishigaki Port by fast ferry
While it is possible to get around the island on a rental bicycle, this is a large island with many slopes, so a rental car or motorcycle is recommended if you are not confident in your stamina.
*Ferries on the Hateruma route are canceled when there is inclement weather or high seas. Ferry cancellations are particularly more likely in winter.
First, fly to Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island is the gateway for visiting Taketomi’s islands. Since the expansion to Ishigaki Airport opened in March 2013, the number of direct flights between Ishigaki Airport and major cities has increased significantly. This made it easier to visit Taketomi as well. There are also many flights between Ishigaki Airport and Naha Airport, so visitors can fly to Ishigaki Island via Naha by taking a flight to Naha from any major city in Japan.
| Haneda-Ishigaki | About 3 Hour |
| Kansai-Ishigaki | About 2.5 Hour |
connecting flight Naha-Ishigaki | About 1 Hour |
| Narita- Ishigaki | About 3.6 Hour |
| Chubu-Ishigaki | About 2.75 Hour |
| Fukuoka-Ishigaki | About 2 Hour |
From Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Remote Island Terminal
Travel from Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Remote Island Terminal by bus or taxi.
・Taxi: about ¥3,000 (about 30 min.)
・Bus (about 30-50 min.)
Azuma Bus (fixed-route bus) One-way: ¥540, Round-trip: ¥1,000
Karry Kanko (nonstop bus) One-way: ¥500, Round-trip: ¥900
Travel from Ishigaki Remote Island Terminal to the Islands
Visitors take ferries to the islands from Ishigaki Remote Island Terminal. Purchase ferry tickets at the ferry company windows in the terminal.
There are many tour company information counters inside the terminal, and they can suggest ways to have fun on the islands.
Service available for all scheduled ferries and tours
Rules on the Islands
Rules and Safety Measures on the Islands
・To protect the natural environment of the islands, you cannot take away plants or animals without permission.
・Before entering the jungle on Iriomote Island, be sure to notify the local police and forestry office.
・There is no mobile phone reception on some parts of islands and almost all of the Iriomote Island jungle.
・Camping or sleeping in the open is prohibited outside of designated campsites.
・Do not walk around in swim wear or without a shirt outside of beaches.
・Take your trash home along with your memories.
These are sacred places, so do not enter them without permission.
When participating in festivals or events, follow the rules particular to each island.
Taking photographs may be prohibited depending on the festival.
■When a Typhoon is Likely
Check for the latest typhoon information and safety measures on the Meteorological Agency’s website. Additionally, follow the instructions of the islanders when a typhoon is approaching.
Meteorological Agency Typhoon Information
■Precautions when Entering the Ocean
・Wear a life jacket when snorkeling.
・Do not enter the ocean after drinking alcohol.
・In the ocean or on the beach, do not touch plants or animals without cause or take them with you.
・Beware of dangerous animals like the habu jellyfish or the geography cone (a spiral snail) with its venomous spine, and avoid touching or approaching them.
Beware of Coral Reef Currents
This can occur at any of the beaches, so be careful.
Habu jellyfish are venomous. On beaches which have nets, be sure to stay inside the nets while swimming.
If there are no nets at the beach, minimize exposed skin as much as possible by wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt, etc.
If you get stung...
Get out of the water immediately, pour a large amount of vinegar on the injured area, and remove the tentacles. If they cannot be removed with bare hands, remove them using chopsticks or rubber gloves, etc.
Afterward, cool the injured area with ice and cold water, and get treatment from a medical care provider.
*Pouring fresh water, alcohol, or sand on tentacles is dangerous, as it may stimulate unfired stinging cells.
Triggerfish, such as the titan triggerfish, become aggressive to those who approach their nests during the spawning season in June to August, and may bite.
They are not venomous. When you find triggerfish, leave the area immediately.
Rules and Safety Measures on the Islands
■Tips for Bathing in the Sea
2. Do not go swimming if you stay up late at night.
3. Do not go swimming if you are not feeling well.
4. Play at designated beaches that are well-equipped.
5. Be sure to do some preparation exercises before swimming.
6. Parents and guardians should keep a close eye on their children.
■Precautions when Enjoying the Mountains
・Driving cars onto forest or mountain trails is prohibited.
・Beware of heatstroke, and be sure to hydrate frequently.
・Do not touch plants or animals without cause or collect them.
Emergency Contact Information
Fire/Ambulance/Rescue: call 119, Incidents/Accidents: call 110, Marine Incidents/Accidents: call 118
■Ambulance/Fire Department
| Ishigaki Fire Station | 0980-82-4050 |
| Taketomi Town Hall Fire and Disaster Prevention Subsection | 0980-82-6191 |
■Marine Rescue and Accidents at Sea
| Ishigaki Coast Guard, Guard and Rescue Department | 0980-82-4841 |
■Police
| Iriomote Island Ohara Police Substation | 0980-85-5110 |
| Iriomote Island Uehara Police Substation | 0980-85-6510 |
| Iriomote Island Shirahama Police Substation | 0980-85-6110 |
| Kohama Island Kohama Police Substation | 0980-85-3110 |
| Hateruma Island Hateruma Police Substation | 0980-85-8110 |
| Ishigaki Island Yaeyama Police Station | 0980-82-0110 |
■Hospital
| Taketomi Island Taketomi Clinic | 0980-85-2132 |
| Iriomote Island Iriomote East Ohara Clinic | 0980-85-5516 |
| Iriomote Island Iriomote West Clinic | 0980-85-6268 |
| Kohama Island Kohama Clinic | 0980-85-3247 |
| Kuroshima Island Kuroshima Clinic | 0980-85-4114 |
| Hateruma Island Hateruma Clinic | 0980-85-8402 |
| Ishigaki Island Yaeyama Hospital | 0980-83-2525 |
| Ishigaki Island Tokushukai Hospital | 0980-88-0123 |
| Ishigaki Island Kariyushi Hospital | 0980-83-5600 |
Taketomi Wi-Fi Service Area
Taketomi Town Tourism Association Pamphlet
The Story of Painushima
We mail copies of “The Story of Painushima” pamphlets published by Taketomi Town Tourism Association to those who request them.
The pamphlet is free of charge, but we ask that you pay for shipping. Please consult the shipping methods shown under [Application Address] below.
There are a limited number of copies available, but we will also enclose pamphlets on other topics. If you wish to receive multiple copies, we will fulfill the request via “Yu-Pack (pay on delivery)” or another shipping method.
Please contact us.
- Application Address
- Pamphlet Request Section, Pamphlet Request Section,Taketomi Town Office 3F, 11-1 Misaki-cho, Ishigaki-shi, Okinawa-ken
- Please apply by filling in your name and address, and specifying one of the shipping methods below.
- Shipping Methods
- *We ask that you cover the shipping costs.
1.Yu-Mail (pay on delivery)
2.After receiving the pamphlet, send back stamps of equal value to the shipping cost
Request Pamphlets
Contact us here
The pamphlets will be shipped from the remote islands, so they may take several days to arrive. Please allow plenty of time when making a request.