Ishigaki is the perfect base for people wishing to explore the rest of the Yaeyama archipelago. The islands of Taketomi, Kuroshima and Kohama make for fantastic day-trip destinations, all of which can be explored by bicycle within a few hours.
If you are doing self-drive, try to work into your schedule for a trek to Mt. Nosoko, or ‘Nosoko Maapee’ as it is more commonly known. This is not a particularly high mountain, but its distinctive peak along with the magnificent views make it a prime hiking destination.
