To visit nearby islands like Iriomote and Taketomi from Ishigaki Island, you’ll need to take a ferry. Discounted ferry tickets are available, so be sure to take advantage of them!
There are two main ferry operators: Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Anei Kanko Ferry, both offering various discount tickets.
On this page, we’ll introduce the different types of ferry discounts you can use to save on your island-hopping adventure.
Basic information about how to use the ferries—such as how to board, and where to buy tickets—is available on a separate page.
However, our top recommendation is to book a tour. It’s the most affordable way to travel. On these tours, you can explore independently without needing to stay with a group, and you’re free to choose which ferry you take.
Each tour package includes a round-trip ferry ticket, plus a rental bicycle or buffalo cart ticket for a remote island — all at a great value. There are different tours available for each island.
You can find detailed tour information for each island (Iriomote Island, Taketomi Island, Hateruma Island, Kuroshima Island, and Kohama Island) on separate pages.
Contents
♦ Round-Trip Tickets
♦ Reservation Discount
♦ Unlimited-Ride Ferry Tickets
♦ Anei Kanko Ferry Discount Ticket
Round-Trip Tickets
Both ferry companies offer round-trip discount tickets, which save you about 5%.
On islands other than Ishigaki, ferry ticket counters may have limited hours or only accept cash.
For both convenience and savings, we recommend purchasing a round-trip ticket in advance.
Please note that you must use the same ferry company for your return trip.
Tickets are valid for 14 days with either company.
How to Buy
You can purchase tickets at the ticket office in Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. In addition, with the E-Ticket Boarding System, you can also buy them online through the website.
How to Use
For Anei Kanko Ferry, the ticket comes as a set of two, as shown in the photo above. When you hand the ticket to the staff at the boarding area, they will keep the outbound ticket and return the return ticket to you.
For Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, you will receive two separate tickets, as shown in the photo below:
one for traveling to the remote island, and another for returning to Ishigaki Island.
Reservation Discount
If you book through the website, you will receive a 5% discount. This special offer is available only for Anei Kanko Ferry. You can make a reservation directly on their website.
Anei Kanko Ferry Reservation
If you miss the ferry you booked, don’t worry — you can change to another ferry without any cancellation fees. For this reason, we recommend making a reservation in advance.
Please note that you must complete your reservation and credit card payment online at the same time.
For step-by-step instructions on how to make a reservation, please see How to Board a Ferry Using the E-Ticket System.
Unlimited-Ride Ferry Tickets
These tickets allow you to ride the ferry as many times as you like within the validity period. They are a great option for travelers planning to visit multiple islands.
Both ferry companies offer unlimited-ride tickets, but their prices are different. The difference comes from whether or not the fuel surcharge is included.
Anei Kanko Ferry offers a lower base price, but the fuel surcharge is not included, so you will need to pay an additional fee for each trip.
On the other hand, Yaeyama Kanko Ferry’s ticket price includes the fuel surcharge.
You might be wondering which one is better.
If you plan to visit Hateruma Island, you must use Anei Kanko Ferry, as Yaeyama Kanko Ferry does not operate service to Hateruma.
Also, the ticket price varies significantly depending on whether travel to Hateruma Island is included.
Anei Kanko Ferry Ticket Information
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry Ticket Information
This information is current as of April 2025.
For the latest updates, please check each company’s official website.
How to Buy
You can purchase this ticket at the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal ticket office. Please note that it is not available at ticket offices on the other islands.
You must use the ticket continuously starting from the first day of use.
Please note that if ferry services are canceled due to bad weather, the validity period will not be extended.
At each island’s port, please show your unlimited-ride ticket at the ticket office to receive a boarding ticket.
You will need this boarding ticket to board the ferry — you cannot board by simply showing your unlimited-ride ticket.
You can board the ferry simply by showing this ticket.
Anei Kanko Ferry Discount Ticket
If you take the Azuma Bus (Route No. 4 or 10) from Ishigaki Airport, you can receive a coupon for 10% off a round-trip ticket with Anei Kanko Ferry. Ask the bus driver for the coupon when you board.
Sometimes, coupons are also available at the bus terminal or in the leaflet stands at the airport, so be sure to check there as well.
You can find more information about Anei Kanko Ferry discount coupons on another page.
Brochure Stand at the Bus Terminal
