*This article confirmed the information in June 2023.
Summary
・2 ferry companies
・Advance reservations recommended
・Round trip tickets are cheaper
・Convenient ticketless boarding
・There are no trash cans on remote islands.
Contents
♦ Ferry from Ishigaki Island to other islands
♦ Comparison of ferry companies
♦ How to take a ferry at Ishigaki Port
♦ Ticketless boarding
♦ Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal Facility Information
♦ How to take a ferry on a small island (other than Ishigakijima)
♦ Ferry seats
♦ Ferry discount tickets
♦ How to check the ferry operation status
♦ Precautions when taking the ferry
Ferry from Ishigaki Island to other islands
One of the purposes of sightseeing on Ishigaki Island is to visit remote islands such as Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island. The only way to get to these islands is by ferry from Ishigaki Island.
There are many islands around Ishigaki Island.
・Iriomote Island
・Taketomi Island
・Hateruma Island
・Kohama Island
・Kuroshima Island
Ishigaki Island, Yonaguni Island and these islands are called Yaeyama Islands.
Ferries to these remote islands are an important means of transportation not only for tourists but also for the people who live on these islands, and they also carry the mail and baggage of the residents. Therefore, the residents’ baggage will be loaded and unloaded first, and then you will be on board. When you see this scene, you can feel that you have come to a remote island.
The ferry departs daily from Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. Ferries to remote islands other than Yonaguni Island depart from here.
Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal
・About 30 minutes by car from the airport.
・This area is city center of Ishigaki Island.
There are many hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, as well as several convenience stores in this area. In addition, the bus terminal, which is the departure and arrival point for Ishigaki Island’s route buses, is about a 1-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
If you’re wondering which hotel to stay in, choosing a hotel in this area will not inconvenience you during your stay.
The means of transportation from the airport to the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal are summarized in “How to get from Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Port“.
Comparison of ferry companies
There are two ferry companies to remote islands, Anei Kanko Ferry and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, which operate by each company. Tickets, schedules, cancellation decisions, etc. are different for each company.
The number of ferries operated by each company varies depending on the island they go to. You should use it properly depending on your destination.
*Information as of July 2023
How to take a ferry at Ishigaki Port
There are two ferry companies, but the procedure for getting on is the same.
・Buy at the ferry company ticket office
・Buy in advance online (ticketless boarding)
・Contactless payment by credit card
We recommend you buy it online in advance. If you don’t make a reservation you may not be able to board the ferry if it is full.
You buy the ticket at the ticket office of your ferry company (Anei Kanko Ferry or Yaeyama Kanko Ferry).
Anei Kanko Ferry Ticket Office
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry Ticket Office
Many people take the ferry in the summer when there are many tourists. Therefore, you may have to line up to buy a ticket. You should go to the ferry terminal early and buy the ticket. The ferry company wants you to come to the ticket office at least 20 – 30 minutes before the ferry departure time.
Anei Kanko Ferry has a ticket vending machine, so you should use it. It supports English and Chinese.
Both companies offer ticketless boarding. This is a system that allows you to board with your smartphone, which is convenient because you don’t need to wait in line at the ticket office.
Anei Kanko Ferry Payment Method
It is recommended to buy a round-trip ticket. However, in that case, the number of return ferries is limited because you need to take the ferry of the same ferry company when you return.
2. To the ferry boarding point
You should go to the ferry boarding point at least 15 minutes before your departure time.
The ferry boarding point at Ishigaki Port is numbered.
In the case of Anei Kanko Ferry, the boarding point number is written on the ticket.
In the case of Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, the boarding point number is displayed on the monitor at the ticket office.
Anei Kanko Ferry boarding point information
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry boarding point information
In addition, the boarding point information of each company is displayed on the monitor at the ferry boarding entrance. You can check the boarding point number there too.
Monitor at the ferry boarding entrance
You can board the ferry 15 minutes before departure time.
If you do not pay attention to the departure time, you will miss it.
In addition, the seats are non-reserved seats so you should go to the ferry boarding point early.
3. Board the ferry
Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure time. You hand the ticket to the staff at the ferry boarding point. If your ticket is a round-trip ticket, the staff will collect one and return the return ticket to you.
If you get motion sickness easily, we recommend that you sit in the back seat of the ferry, where the sway of the ferry is relatively mild.
You are allowed to drink non-alcoholic drinks on the ferry, but eating is prohibited.
Ticketless boarding
This is a way of boarding that you can board by showing your smartphone to the staff when boarding. You can board this way by purchasing your ticket online in advance.
During the busy summer season, there are lines at the ferry ticket office. It’s convenient because you don’t need to line up with it. Additionally, the ferry may be fully booked, so we recommend purchasing your ticket in advance.
Both Anei Kanko Ferry and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry have their own ticketless boarding system.
We actually tried using the ticketless boarding of both companies, but the Yaeyama Kanko Ferry is easier to use.
Good points about Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
・You can make a reservation on the day.
・No membership registration required.
Anei Kanko Ferry
How to use
1. Member registration
Membership registration is required to use ticketless boarding.
2. Book a ticket
You need to book a ticket while logged in.
For ferries departing from Ishigaki Island, you need to specify the date and time. For the ferry returning to Ishigaki Island, specify only the date.
Don’t worry if you miss the ferry time you booked. There is no fee to change your ticket and you can board the ferry later. In this case, you can do so at the ticket office. In case of return, you can board the ferry at any time.
3. Payment method
Payment is by credit card only. Other payment methods cannot be selected.
4. Booking is done
The reservation is completed when the payment is completed. You will receive an email when your reservation is complete.
You can check the QR code instead of the ticket on “My Page” of the Anei Kanko Ferry website. Two QR codes will be issued, one for departure from Ishigaki and the other bound for Ishigaki.
5. Boarding
You will go directly to the ferry boarding point at least 10 minutes before the ferry departure time. You don’t need to stop at the ticket office.
You can board the ferry by showing the QR code to the staff at the ferry boarding point.
Impressions used
It is convenient not to need to line up at the ticket office. However, at the ferry boarding point, it was smoother to hand over the paper ticket and it took longer to read the QR code.
Membership registration is required. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could use it without registration as a member?
If you make a reservation online, Anei Kanko Ferry will not take your reservation until your payment is completed. If you only want to make a reservation, you can need to make one by phone.
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
How to use
1. Book a ticket
You can reserve a boarding ticket from Yaeyama Kanko Ferry website.
You will need to specify the date and time you will use your ticket to go. You don’t need to specify them for return ticket.
2. Payment method
Payment is by credit card only. Other payment methods cannot be selected.
3. Booking is done
The reservation is completed when the payment is completed. You will receive an email when your reservation is complete.
In the email, there is a “View ticket” button, and you can view the ticket by tapping it.
4. Boarding
You will go directly to the ferry boarding point at least 10 minutes before the ferry departure time. You don’t need to stop at the ticket office.
You display the ticket and tap the “Start using” button while showing your smartphone screen to the staff.
Impressions used
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry is convenient because reservations can be made on the same day. On the other hand, Anei Kanko Ferry can only be booked up to the day before the date of use.
It is convenient because you can use it without registering as a member.
You can board the ferry simply by showing your smartphone screen to the staff at the ferry boarding point. Therefore, it is smoother than when using Anei Kanko Ferry.
If you make a reservation online, this system will not take your reservation until your payment is completed. If you only want to make a reservation, you can need to make one by phone.
Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal Facility Information
Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal has not only ferry companies but also travel agencies, restaurants, souvenir shops and planetariums. In addition to these, there are ATMs, lockers where you can put suitcases, and shops that sell motion sickness medicines.
Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal Map
Travel agency
The travel agency and ferry company sell tours to remote islands such as Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island. If you are considering taking a tour, you can apply and consult here.
Hirata Tourism is recommended because there are always English-speaking staff.
Travel agency in Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal
Hirata Tourism
Ishigaki Dream Tours
Ishigaki Island Travel Center (only in Japanese)
Yamaneko Tours (only in Japanese)
Shops
The souvenir shop sells not only souvenirs but also various products such as sunscreen, sandals and bread. If you go to a remote island such as Iriomote Island, there are some products that you cannot buy. Therefore, you should buy the products you need on the remote island at here. Especially sunscreen is an essential item.
In addition, you can buy motion sickness medicine at a shop called “Sagaribana” and at pharmacies.
The Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal has drinks that are popular with Japanese travelers. It’s Mariya Shake. It tastes like rich milk. You must try it! You can buy it at a shop called Nanapito Hompo.
Lockers
Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal has 6 lockers in the photo above. You can even put a suitcase in it. It’s a good idea to leave your baggage here after checking out the hotel. In addition, you can leave your baggage at a ferry company or travel agency.
How to take a ferry on a small island (other than Ishigakijima)
When taking the ferry back to Ishigaki Island from remote islands such as Iriomote Island there are a few things you should be aware of.
1. Buy a ticket
You buy the ticket at the ticket office of your ferry company (Anei Kanko Ferry or Yaeyama Kanko Ferry).
Ticket Office on Kuroshima Island
You cannot always buy a ferry ticket. The staff is not always there. In addition, there are ticket offices where you can only pay in cash. It is recommended to buy a round-trip ticket at Ishigaki Port because it is a good deal and convenient.
2. To the ferry boarding point
You should go to the ferry boarding point at least 15 minutes before your departure time. There will be no announcement when the ferry you board arrives. Therefore, you must go to the ferry boarding point by yourself by the ferry departure time.
Taketomi Island ferry boarding point
In addition, the ferry boarding point at ports other than Ishigaki Island aren’t numbered. Therefore, you should ask the ferry company staff where to board your ferry.
Ferries of two companies may depart at the same time. In that case, similar ferries stop side by side on the pier. The company logo and company name are written on the ferry, but it is difficult to find out which ferry you are going to board.
Anei Kanko Ferry
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
We sometimes see people mistakenly trying to board another company’s ferry. At the time of boarding, people are lined up for each ferry company. Many people may be lined up on only one of the ferries. However, the line with many people is not always the ferry you board. In addition, there may be a ferry that goes to an island other than Ishigaki Island. You should confirm with the staff for the ferry boarding point for your ticket.
The ticket is different for each ferry company, so if you miss the ferry, you will have to buy the ticket again. In that case, you will not be able to get a refund.
3. Board the ferry
Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure time. You hand the ticket to the staff at the ferry boarding point.
Facility information of ports on small islands
The ports on the islands other than Ishigaki Island are not as large as the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. Therefore, the facilities are limited. The photo above is the Kuroshima Island Ferry Terminal. It’s about the size of two cars.
Locker and toilet information is especially useful when you visit there. There are no trash cans on islands other than Ishigaki Island, so you need to bring a bag to bring the trash back to Ishigaki Island.
Comparison of facility information of ports on each island
Ferry seats
Ferry seats are non-reserved seats. There are not only inside seats but also outside seats, depending on the ferry. You should definitely sit in the inside seat. It seems that the wind feels good when you sit outside seats, but it is not recommended. Because the engine is noisy and ferry is a high-speed ferry, so the seats will be splashed with waves. If you sit in this seat, you will have to endure this condition for tens of minutes to about hour.
Outside seats
Inside seats
In addition, if you get seasick easily, you should take motion sickness medicine and sit in the back seat of the ferry. The back seats are recommended as the front of the ship will shake significantly. Depending on the sea conditions, the ferry will shake. Sometimes it shakes like a roller coaster so that your hips float.
You can buy motion sickness medicine at a shop called “Sagaribana” and a pharmacy in the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. In addition, you can also buy it at drugstores in the city.
Ferry discount tickets
There are good deal ferry tickets. Each of the two ferry companies sells good deals ferry tickets.
Our best recommendation for you is to take a tour. You can go the cheapest. On that tour, you don’t act with other participants and you are free to choose which ferry to take.
The tour includes not only a round-trip ferry ticket, but also a rental bicycle or buffalo cart ticket on a remote island, which you can buy at a good price. There are various tours for each island.
Tour information is written for each island (Iriomote Island, Taketomi Island, Hateruma Island, Kuroshima Island, Kohama Island) on other pages.
Round-trip ticket
Ticket offices on islands other than Ishigaki Island may only pay cash or may have no staff. Therefore, we recommend buying a round-trip ticket on Ishigaki Island.
Both ferry companies have round-trip tickets, both with a 5% discount. But you have to take the same ferry company on your way back.
It is valid for 14 days for both companies.
How to buy
You can buy it ticket office of Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. In addition, ticketless boarding system, you can also buy it on the website.
How to use
In the case of Anei Kanko Ferry, this ticket is a set of two as shown in the photo above. If you hand the ticket to the staff at the ferry boarding point, the staff will only return the return ticket to you.
In the case of Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, you will get two tickets as shown in the photo below. One is a ticket for going to another island, and the other is for returning to Ishigaki Island.
Reservation discount
If you book it on the website, you will get a 5% discount. This is a discount offered only by Anei Kanko Ferry. You can make a reservation from that website.
Anei Kanko Ferry Reservation
If you can’t catch the ferry you booked, don’t worry. In that case, you can change to another ferry without any cancellation fee. Therefore, it is recommended to make a reservation.
However, you need to make a reservation on the web and complete the credit card payment at the same time.
Unlimited-ride ferry tickets
This is a ticket that allows you to take the ferry as many times as you like within the expiration date. It is recommended for those who plan to visit various island.
Each of the two companies sells unlimited-ride ferry tickets.
Their prices are different. This is because whether the price includes a fuel surcharge or not depends on the company. Anei Kanko Ferry is cheaper, but it doesn’t include the fuel surcharge. Therefore, you will need to pay extra for each trip. On the other hand, the price of Yaeyama Kanko Ferry includes a fuel surcharge.
You may be wondering which one is better, but if you go to Hateruma Island, you have to take the Anei Kanko Ferry. Yaeyama Kanko Ferry does not operate a ferry to Hateruma Island. The price of the ticket is quite different depending on whether it includes Hateruma Island or not.
Anei Kanko Ferry Ticket Information
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry Ticket Information
How to buy
You can buy this ticket at the ticket office of Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. You cannot buy it at the ticket offices on other islands.
You must use it continuously from the start date of use. If the ferry is canceled due to bad weather while you are using it, the expiration date will not be extended.
If you show this ticket at the ticket office of the port of each island, you will get a boarding ticket. You will need this boarding ticket to get on the ferry and you will not be able to get on just by showing your unlimited-ticket.
You can get on the ferry just by showing this ticket.
Anei Kanko Ferry discount ticket
If you take Azuma Bus (route bus No.4 or 10) from Ishigaki Airport, you can get a coupon that gives you a 10% discount on the round-trip ticket for the Anei Kanko Ferry. You should get it from the driver when you get on the bus.
It’s not always there, but sometimes it’s in the bus terminal or at the airport’s leaflet area, so you should check it out.
For more information about Anei Kanko Ferry discount coupons are summarized on another page.
Leaflet area of Bus Terminal
How to check the ferry operation status
You can check the ferry operation status on each company’s website.
Operation status of Anei Kanko Ferry
Operation status of Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
The operation status may be “undecide” in addition to “normal operation” and “canceled”. Be careful when this is “undecide”. It may be judged as “canceled” as a result of the weather survey. Even if you can go to a remote island, in the worst case you may not be able to return to Ishigaki Island.
Ferries are canceled not only when a typhoon is approaching, but also in winter (December – February).
You can avoid typhoons by looking at the weather forecast, but you cannot predict the cancellation in winter. In winter, it seems that there is a high probability that some routes will be canceled due to the influence of wind.
These two routes will be canceled with a probability of about 50% in winter. However, other routes are rarely canceled throughout the year.
Iriomote Island has not only Uehara Port, which is often canceled, but also Ohara Port, which does not cancel even in winter. Therefore, you can go to Iriomote Island even in winter. If the Uehara Port route is canceled, each ferry company operates a free shuttle bus from Ohara Port to Uehara Port.
Precautions when taking the ferry
You cannot put a car or motorbike on the ferry. You should rent a car or motorbike on each island.
You can put your bicycle on the ferry for an additional fee. However, there seems to be a condition to put it on the ferry, so you should confirm with the ferry company. There are rental bicycle shops on each island. Therefore, we recommend you to rent it on each island.
There is a toilet on the ferry. However the ferry shakes, so you should go to the toilet before getting on the ferry.
Eating on the ferry is prohibited. You can take a drink except alcohol, but there are no vending machines or shops on the ferry.
Some islands do not have lockers. You should leave your large baggage at the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. The Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal has several lockers large enough to put a suitcase. In addition, you can leave your baggage at a ferry company or travel agency.
You cannot board with wet clothing. If you plan to get in the sea on the island, you will need to bring a change of clothing.
There are no trash cans on remote islands. You should bring a trash bag and bring the trash back to Ishigaki Island. There are several trash cans at the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal.
There are several ferries available in wheelchairs. You can enjoy sightseeing in remote islands with a wheelchair. You should confirm with the ferry company.
