*This article was last updated with verified information in May 2025.
Getting Around Ishigaki Island
Rental Cars
Buses
Taxis
Rental Motorbikes
If you rent a car, you can explore the island efficiently. However, you’ll need an International Driving Permit to drive a car or motorbike in Japan, and traffic rules may differ from those in your home country.
That’s why we’ve included information on how to get to tourist attractions by bus.
One is Karry Bus, which operates a direct line between Ishigaki Airport and the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. The other is Azuma Bus, which runs local route buses around the island.
You can reach the major tourist attractions by taking the Azuma Bus.
Azuma Bus operates 12 routes.
This page explains which routes go to each tourist attraction.
We have created individual timetables for each destination based on Azuma Bus’s latest schedule.
Azuma Bus Official Timetables
Airport Line (Airport Ishigaki Port) : Route No.4 and Route No.10
Other Bus Routes : page 1 , 2
User-Friendly Azuma Bus Timetables Made by Our Website
Page1 (PDF:0.8MB)
Page2 (PDF:0.8MB)
Details on how to get from Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Port are available on a separate page. There, you’ll find Karry Bus schedules, and bus stop locations at the airport.
In addition, information on how to use the Azuma Bus — including how to pay the fare and how to read the timetables posted at the bus stops — is available on a separate page.
Contents
♦ Azuma Bus Routes (Local Bus Service in Ishigaki)
♦ Discount Tickets for Azuma Bus
– Bus Pass
– Round-Trip Ticket for Airport Ishigaki Port
– Anei Kanko Ferry Discount Coupon
♦ Azuma Bus Schedule
– Airport Ishigaki Port
– To Banna Park and Ishigaki Limestone Cave
– Airport Kabira Bay or Yonehara Beach
– Bus Terminal Kabira Bay or Fusaki Beach
– To Ishigaki Yaima Village
– Bus Terminal Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum
Azuma Bus Routes (Local Bus Service in Ishigaki)
Azuma Bus, the local route bus company, operates 12 routes. While service is limited, buses can take you to major tourist attractions. We’ve created a complete route map — feel free to download and use it during your trip.
The area around the Bus Terminal is the city center of Ishigaki Island, with many restaurants and hotels nearby. Just a 1-minute walk from the Bus Terminal is the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal, where you can catch ferries to remote islands like Taketomi and Iriomote.
Download Bus Route (PDF:0.3MB)
Overview of Azuma Bus Routes
The bus routes have been clearly organized in a simple table for easy reference.
| Route ２ (2 buses / day) |
West-around line This route operates only in the afternoon. |
|---|---|
| Route ３ (1 bus / day) |
East-around line This route operates only in the early morning. |
| Route ４ (2 buses / hour) |
Airport line This line connects Ishigaki Airport with the city center (around Ishigaki Port). The bus schedule is timed to match the first and last flights of the day. |
| Route ６ (3 buses / day) |
This is the only route that goes farther north than the airport. It departs from the Bus Terminal and travels to Tamatorizaki Observatory and Hirakubo Lighthouse, passing through the airport. |
| Route ７ (2 buses / day) |
This route connects the bus terminal with popular attractions like Ishigaki Limestone Cave, Banna Park, Ishigaki Yaima Village, and Kabira Bay. |
| Route ８ (1 bus / day) |
This bus lets you travel back and forth between the bus terminal and top spots like Ishigaki Limestone Cave, Banna Park, Ishigaki Yaima Village, Kabira Bay, Yonehara Beach, and Yaeyama Palm Grove. |
| Route ９ (6 buses / day) |
This route runs between the bus terminal and major resort hotels such as Hotel Royal Marine Palace, Grandvrio Resort Hotel, Fusaki Resort Hotel, Club Med Kabira Ishigaki, and Seaside Hotel. It also offers convenient access to Ishigaki Yaima Village and Kabira Bay. |
| Route １０ (6 buses / day) |
Airport Line (via ANA InterContinental & Art Hotel) This route connects Ishigaki Airport with the city center (around Ishigaki Port), stopping at ANA InterContinental and Art Hotel along the way. |
| Route １１ (2 buses / day) |
This route runs between Ishigaki Airport and the bus terminal, stopping at Yonehara Beach, Yaeyama Palm Grove, Kabira Bay, Club Med Kabira Ishigaki, and Seaside Hotel along the way. |
| Route １２ | Daily Sightseeing Bus Tour |
| Route １３ (7 buses / day) |
This route runs between the bus terminal and the Okinawa Prefectural Hospital. It also provides access to the Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum. |
| Route１, ５ | This route is mainly used by local residents and is not typically taken by tourists. |
Discount Tickets for Azuma Bus
Bus Pass
Unlimited Ride Bus Passes (1-Day or 5-Day) are available for all Azuma Bus routes on Ishigaki Island. You can ride as many times as you like during the validity period.
This pass offers great value for travelers using the bus. If you’re getting around Ishigaki Island by bus, it’s a must-have. A round trip between the airport and the city center costs 1,100 yen, but you can get a 1-day pass for just 1,000 yen.
Download All Route Timetables
Page1 (PDF:0.8MB)
Page2 (PDF:0.8MB)
How to Buy
You can purchase this pass from the bus driver or at the ticket office in the Bus Terminal.
1-Day Pass: 1,000 yen
(Valid for 24 hours from the time of purchase.)
5-Day Pass: 2,000 yen
(Valid for 120 hours (5 days) from the time of purchase.)
*Children ride for half price.
How to Use
Using the pass is easy — just show it to the driver when you get on and off the bus. It’s convenient because you don’t need to worry about having exact change.
*Please note: This ticket cannot be reissued or refunded.
Round-Trip Ticket for Airport Ishigaki Port
This is a discounted round-trip ticket between Ishigaki Airport and either the Bus Terminal or the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. A one-way fare for this route is 550 yen, but with this ticket, you can ride both ways for just 1,000 yen. The savings is small (100 yen), but it’s convenient because you don’t need to worry about having exact change when boarding. Plus, there’s no expiration date — you can even use it on your next visit!
How to Buy
You can purchase this ticket from the driver on Airport Line buses (Route 4 or 10), or at the ticket office in the Bus Terminal.
How to Use
The ticket comes as a set of two stubs. When you get off the bus, hand the ticket to the driver — one stub will be collected.
*Please note: This ticket cannot be reissued or refunded.
Anei Kanko Ferry Discount Coupon
This ticket is a discount coupon for ferry rides to remote islands such as Taketomi and Iriomote.
Two ferry companies operate routes from Ishigaki Island to nearby remote islands, including Iriomote Island: Anei Kanko Ferry and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry.
Use this coupon to get 10% off round-trip fares or 5% off one-way fares on Anei Kanko Ferry tickets.
You can also use it to get 10% off on tours operated by Anei Kanko Ferry.
One coupon covers everyone in your group.
There are two ways to get this coupon:
You can ask the driver of the Azuma Bus Airport Line (Route 4 or 10) for the coupon. When boarding the bus at Ishigaki Airport, just say:
“Please give me a discount ticket for Anei Kanko Ferry.”
The coupon is also available at brochure stands located at Ishigaki Airport and the Bus Terminal. Feel free to take one!
These stands may also have other discount coupons, such as for Kabira Bay glass-bottom boat tours and the Ishigaki Limestone Cave, so it’s worth checking them out.
Please note: Availability may vary depending on stock.
How to Use the Coupon
To receive the discount, present this coupon when purchasing your ferry or tour tickets at the Anei Kanko Ferry ticket counter in the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal.
Please note: Some tours may not be eligible for the discount. We recommend checking with the staff for details.
Azuma Bus Schedule
*Current Bus Schedule (Updated May 2025)
We’ve organized the bus schedules for arrivals and departures at Ishigaki Airport and the Bus Terminal by destination.
Just click on the place you want to go, and you’ll see the bus times to and from Ishigaki Airport or the Bus Terminal.
The listed fare is the adult price per person. Children in elementary school pay half the adult fare. Children younger than elementary school age can ride for free.
Your Destination
Transportations
Airport, Bus Terminal, Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal
Tourist attractions
Kabira Bay, Tamatorizaki Observatory, Hirakubo Lighthouse, Ishigaki Limestone Cave, Yaeyama Palm Grove, Ishigaki Yaima Village, Banna Park, Cape Uganzaki (only Taxi), Torin-ji Temple, Yaeyama Museum, Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum, Miyara River (mangrove forest)
Beaches
Yonehara Beach, Sunset Beach, Fusaki Beach, Maesato Beach, Sukuji Beach (only Taxi)
Accommodations ・ Shop
Club Med Kabira Ishigaki (from Ishigaki Airport, from Bus Terminal), ANA InterContinental Hotel, Grandvrio Resort Hotel, Fusaki Resort Hotel, Seaside Hotel (from Ishigaki Airport, from Bus Terminal), Art Hotel, Hotel Royal Marine Palace, Beach Hotel Sunshine
Don Quijote (Discount store), Max Value (supermarket)
Download All Route Timetables
Page1 (PDF:0.8MB)
Page2 (PDF:0.8MB)
Airport Bus Schedule
(airport Ishigaki Port)
This bus line connects Ishigaki Airport with the city center, including the Bus Terminal and Ishigaki Port area.
This bus operates according to the schedule of the first and last flights.
Another company, Karry Bus, also operates a direct bus between Ishigaki Airport and Ishigaki Port.
For more details on how to get from Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Port, please refer to the separate guide page.
Routes 4 and 10, marked with “Airport” on the side of the blue buses, are part of the Airport Line.
In addition to these, there are other buses that connect the airport to the city center (around the Bus Terminal and Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal). To help you find the right bus, we have created a list of bus schedules in the chart below.
Please note that only Route 10 goes to the ANA InterContinental Hotel and Art Hotel.
Duration (airport city center)
35 to 40 minutes (depending on the route)
Service Frequency
Operates approximately every 30 minutes
Last Bus
Ishigaki Airport Bus Terminal
9:45 PM (Departure Time from the Airport)
First Bus
Bus Terminal Ishigaki Airport
6:10 AM (Bus Terminal departure time) 6:50 AM (Airport arrival time)
Where to Catch the Bus at Ishigaki Airport
・Route 4 and 10 : Azuma Bus Platform ‘A’
・Other routes : Azuma Bus Platform ‘B’
Timetable for Departure 
Timetable for Return 
Download Detail Timetables
Route4 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route10 (PDF:0.4MB)
Bus Schedule to Banna Park and Ishigaki Limestone Cave
This bus schedule is for routes heading to Banna Park and the Ishigaki Limestone Cave.
Banna Park features an observatory with panoramic views of Ishigaki City.
The Ishigaki Limestone Cave is the largest limestone cave on the island.
There is no direct bus from Ishigaki Airport to these destinations. Please take a bus from Azuma Bus Terminal instead.
Although there are two return buses per day, one departs early in the morning. Since there is no taxi stand in the area, please be sure to check the return bus schedule in advance.
Getting to Ishigaki Limestone Cave
Bus Stop: Shizenmura About a 10-minute walk
Getting to Banna Park Observatory
You can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the ocean and Ishigaki City.
Bus Stop: Yaemorino-tou About a 25-minute walk
You will walk up a steep hill.
Best Plan
① Depart from the Bus Terminal bus stop at 10:45 AM
Get off at the Shizenmura (Ishigaki Limestone Cave) bus stop at 10:57 AM
② Enjoy lunch and explore the Ishigaki Limestone Cave, a natural attraction with stunning limestone formations.
③ Depart from Ishigaki Limestone Cave at 12:30 PM
Walk about 50 minutes to reach Banna Park Observatory
④ Depart from Banna Park Observatory at 1:25 PM
Walk about 25 minutes to reach Yeamorino-tou bus stop
⑤ Depart from the Yeamorino-tou bus stop at 1:59 PM
Return to the Bus Terminal bus stop at 2:11 PM
Timetable for Departure 
Timetable for Return 
Download Timetables
Route2 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route3 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route7 (PDF:0.3MB)
Route8 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route 11: Yonehara Campground Route
(Airport Yonehara Beach or Kabira Bay)
This bus line provides direct service from Ishigaki Airport to popular destinations including Kabira Bay, Yonehara Beach, the Yaeyama Palm Grove, Club Med, and the Seaside Hotel.
It is the only bus route that connects the airport to these locations.
Please note that the service operates only twice a day.
The bus departs from Platform B at Ishigaki Airport.
To reach Club Med and the Seaside Hotel from the Bus Terminal, take Route 9.
Getting to Kabira Bay from Ishigaki Airport
Bus Stop: Kabira Park About a 2-minute walk
Details on how to get to Kabira Bay by bus are available on a separate page.
Getting to Yonehara Beach from Ishigaki Airport
Bus Stop: Yonehara About a 4-minute walk
Details on how to get to Yonehara Beach by bus are available on a separate page.
Getting to Yaeyama Palm Grove from Ishigaki Airport
Bus Stop: Yonehara Palmtree About a 4-minute walk
Details on how to get to Yaeyama Palm Grove by bus are available on a separate page.
Best Plan
① Depart from Ishigaki Airport bus stop at 12:15 PM
Get off at Yonehara bus stop at 12:39 PM (for Yonehara Beach)
② Lunch at Yonehara Beach
③ Enjoy marine activities at Yonehara Beach
④ Depart from Yonehara bus stop at 3:24 PM
Get off at Kabira Park bus stop at 3:42 PM (for Kabira Bay)
⑤ Take Route 9 bus from Kabira Park bus stop at 5:19 PM
Get off at Bus Terminal bus stop at 6:05 PM
Timetable for Departure 
Timetable for Return 
Download Timetable
Route11 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route 9 : Kabira Resort Route
(Bus Terminal Kabira Bay or Fusaki Beach)
This bus line runs from the Bus Terminal to Club Med, stopping at Kabira Bay and resort hotels like Fusaki Beach Resort along the way.
Route 9 is the only bus that serves resort hotels like Fusaki Beach Resort, Grandvrio Resort, and Beach Hotel Sunshine. There are no direct buses from the airport to these hotels — all buses depart from the main bus terminal. The Route 9 bus runs six times a day.
Getting to Kabira Bay from Bus Terminal
Bus Stop: Kabira Park About a 2-minute walk
Details on how to get to Kabira Bay by bus are available on a separate page.
Getting to Fusaki Beach from Bus Terminal
Bus Stop: Fusaki Beach Resort About a 2-minute walk
Details on how to get to Fusaki Beach by bus are available on a separate page.
Best Plan
① Depart from the Bus Terminal bus stop at 12:55 PM
Get off at the Fusaki Beach Resort (Fusaki Beach) bus stop at 1:17 PM
② Enjoy marine activities at Fusaki Beach.
③ Experience one of Ishigaki’s best sunsets at Fusaki Beach.
④ Depart from the Fusaki Beach Resort bus stop at 7:37 PM
Return to the Bus Terminal bus stop at 8:00 PM
Timetable for Departure 
Timetable for Return 
Download Timetable
Route9 (PDF:0.4MB)
Bus Schedule to Ishigaki Yaima Village
Here’s the bus schedule for Yaima Village, the southernmost theme park in Japan.
Yaima Village is a theme park that recreates traditional Okinawan houses. Visitors can enjoy hands-on experiences of Ishigaki Island’s unique culture, such as painting Shisa (Okinawan guardian lion-dog statues) and dressing up in traditional Ryukyu costumes.
Next to Yaima Village, you’ll find Nagura Amparu, a vast mangrove wetland that offers a glimpse into the island’s rich natural ecosystem.
Getting to Ishigaki Yaima Village
Bus Stop: Yaima mura About a 1-minute walk
or
Bus Stop: Moto-nagura About a 1-minute walk
There are two bus stops near Yaima Village: “Yaima Mura” near the front gate and “Moto-Nagura” near the back gate. Both are within walking distance, so you can easily get there from either stop.
Business Hours
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (open all year round)
Best Plan
① Depart from the Bus Terminal bus stop at 9:45 AM
Get off at the Yaima mura (Yaima Village) bus stop at 10:15 AM
② Discover the rich culture of Ishigaki Island at Yaima Village.
③ Explore the mangrove forest of Nagura Amparu.
④ Enjoy a casual lunch surrounded by nature at Yaima Village.
⑤ Depart from the Moto-nagura bus stop at 1:50 PM
Return to the Bus Terminal bus stop at 2:11 PM
Timetable for Departure 
Timetable for Return 
Download Timetables
Route2 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route7 (PDF:0.3MB)
Route8 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route9 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route 13 : Yaeyama Hospital Route
(Bus Terminal Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum)
This bus line connects the city center with Yaeyama Prefectural Hospital. Along the way, it stops at several key sights, including Torin-ji, the oldest temple on Ishigaki Island, and the Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum.
Getting to Torin-ji Temple
Bus Stop: Torin-ji Temple About a 1-minute walk
or
Bus Stop: Bus Terminal About a 10-minute walk
Getting to Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum
Bus Stop: Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum About a 1-minute walk
Business Hours
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Timetable for Departure 
Timetable for Return 
Download Timetable
Route13 (PDF:0.3MB)
