*This article confirmed the information in August 2024.
Contents
♦ Welcome to Yonehara Beach – Ishigaki’s Snorkeling Paradise
♦ Getting to Yonehara Beach: Your Guide to Access and Transportation
– By Route Bus (Azuma Bus)
– By Taxi
– By Rental Car
♦ Facilities at Yonehara Beach
♦ How to Use the Showers at Yonehara Beach
♦ Where to Store Your Baggage Temporarily
♦ Restaurants Near Yonehara Beach
♦ Accommodations Near Yonehara Beach
♦ Beach Equipment Rentals Near Yonehara Beach
♦ Yoneko-yaki Seesah Garden: A Must-Visit Spot
Welcome to Yonehara Beach – Ishigaki’s Snorkeling Paradise
More photos : Instagram
Summary
・This beach is also popular with locals.
・You’ll find a rental shop offering marine gear and showers.
・A great spot for snorkeling.
・Best enjoyed at high tide.
Yonehara Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots on Ishigaki Island. The shallow waters near the shore are home to beautiful coral reefs and vibrant tropical fish, making it an ideal spot even for beginners.
During the summer season, the beach comes alive with both tourists and locals enjoying the sun and sea.
The beach is equipped with convenient facilities such as a parking lot, restrooms, and showers, and there are several restaurants nearby. These amenities make it easy and comfortable to enjoy a full day of marine activities.
However, the currents can be strong and there are no lifeguards on duty, so visitors are advised to exercise caution.
Unfortunately, accidents do occur every year, so please be careful when entering the water.
We highly recommend wearing a life jacket while snorkeling.
There are several rental shops near the beach where you can rent life jackets, snorkeling gear, and beach umbrellas.
This is a shallow beach, so it’s best to visit during high tide. At low tide, the coral in the shallow areas becomes exposed, and you’ll need to go dozens of meters offshore to snorkel.
Getting to Yonehara Beach: Your Guide to Access and Transportation
How to Get There:
・By route bus
・By rental car
・By taxi
Yonehara Beach is located in the central area of Ishigaki Island. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the city center (around the Bus Terminal or Ishigaki Port), and approximately 25 minutes from Ishigaki Airport. You can reach Yonehara Beach by route bus, rental car, or taxi.
The beach is located near a bus stop and has shower facilities, so it’s possible to visit by bus. However, please note that buses run infrequently, so be sure to check the schedule in advance.
Getting to Yonehara Beach by Route Bus (Azuma Bus)
Route buses to Yonehara Beach depart daily from the Bus Terminal and Ishigaki Airport. The beach is about a 3-minute walk from the nearest bus stop.
Please note that the bus stop names at Yonehara Beach differ depending on the direction of travel. The two stops are ‘Yonehara’ and ‘Yonehara Camp Jo’. Buses stop at only one of these, so be sure to check the bus’s direction and get off at the correct stop.
The two bus stops are located about 200 meters apart. You can find both locations marked on the map below.
Getting to Yonehara Beach by Bus
Bus stop name
“Yonehara” or “Yonehara Camp Jo” ( 3-minute walk to Yonehara Beach)
Bus Route
From Bus Terminal (Five Buses per Day) No.2(870), No.8(870), No.11(940)
From Airport (Three Buses per Day) No.3(1,070), No.11(570)
Azuma Bus Schedule from the Bus Terminal
*Current Bus Schedule (Updated May 2025)
There are five buses a day from the Bus Terminal to Yonehara Beach. Three different bus routes go to the beach, but we recommend taking Route No. 2 or Route No. 8. These buses travel along a scenic seaside road, offering beautiful views of the ocean during the ride.
When you’re heading to Yonehara Beach, the sea will be on the left side of the bus, so we suggest sitting on the left for the best views.
The bus fare from the Bus Terminal to Yonehara Beach is either 870 yen or 940 yen, depending on the route. If you’re planning a round trip by bus, it’s more cost-effective to buy a One-Day Bus Pass for 1,000 yen.
Details on how to purchase the Bus Pass are available on a separate page.
Duration
56 to 58 minutes (depending on the route)
Fare
870 yen or 940 yen (depending on the route)
Timetable for Departure
Timetable for Return
Download Timetables
Route2 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route3 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route8 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route11 (PDF:0.4MB)
Azuma Bus Schedule from the Airport
*Current Bus Schedule (Updated May 2025)
There is a direct route bus from Ishigaki Airport to Yonehara Beach. So when you arrive at the airport, you can hop on the bus and head straight to the beach for a swim. Showers are also available at the beach for your convenience.
If you’re carrying large luggage like a suitcase, the Baggage Delivery Service is a convenient option. Please note that there are no lockers at Yonehara Beach that can accommodate large items such as suitcases.
The bus stop at Ishigaki Airport is Stop B.
The bus fare from Ishigaki Airport to Yonehara Beach is 570 yen one way. If you plan to take more route buses later in the day, it’s a good idea to buy a One-Day Bus Pass for 1,000 yen.
Duration
25 to 74 minutes (depending on the route)
Fare
570 yen or 1,070 yen (depending on the route)
Timetable for Departure
Timetable for Return
Download Timetables
Route2 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route3 (PDF:0.4MB)
Route11 (PDF:0.4MB)
Best Bus Trip Plan to Yonehara Beach
This is a suggested itinerary for exploring the Yonehara Beach area using only route buses. A visit to Yoneko-yaki Seesah Garden is highly recommended.
Best Plan
1. Route No. 8 – Departs from Bus Terminal at 10:45 AM
Get off at Yonehara Camp Jo bus stop (for Yonehara Beach)
2. Lunch at Tonkatsu-riki
3. Life jackets are available for rent at Jerry Fish.
4. Relax and enjoy the beauty of Yonehara Beach
5. After changing, enjoy a visit to Yoneko-yaki Seesah Garden.
6. Route No. 11 – Departs from Yonehara Camp Jo at 4:21 PM
Return to the Bus Terminal bus stop at 5:17 PM
Getting to Yonehara Beach by Taxi
There is no taxi stand at Yonehara Beach. If you call a taxi, please be aware that it may take around 30 minutes to arrive, as it comes from the city center.
You can use taxi app DiDi to call a cab.
Taxi Fares and Duration
Approximate Fare
Airport Yonehara Beach : 4,000
Bus Terminal Yonehara Beach : 4,500
Duration
Airport Yonehara Beach : About 25 minutes
Bus Terminal Yonehara Beach : About 30 minutes
Getting to Yonehara Beach by Rental Car
The Omoto Tunnel, located on the route from the airport to Yonehara Beach, is the only tunnel on Ishigaki Island.
Using a MAPCODE 
is a convenient way to set your destination in a car navigation system.
MAPCODE is a numeric code that represents the latitude and longitude of a location in Japan.
Getting to Yonehara Beach by Rental Car
Address
446-1 Fukai, Ishigaki-shi, Okinawa
: 366 397 734*54
Duration
Airport Yonehara Beach : About 25 minutes
Bus Terminal Yonehara Beach : About 30 minutes
Parking
Paid parking available
Facilities at Yonehara Beach
Yonehara Beach is free to access and open year-round. While you’ll find showers, restrooms, and restaurants nearby, please note that there are no lifeguards or jellyfish nets.
Yonehara Beach
| Business Hours | Open daily, 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free |
| Closed | Open every day (No scheduled closing days) |
| Website | – |
| Parking | Free: approx. 7 cars / Paid: approx. 30 cars |
| Restrooms | （Multipurpose restrooms : ） |
| Changing Rooms | (Located inside the shop) |
| Showers | (Fee required) |
| Temporary Baggage Storage | Available at the shop (Shouten), but too small for suitcases. |
| Lifeguards | – |
| Jellyfish Net | – |
| Beach Item Rentals |
Map of Yonehara Beach
How to Use the Showers at Yonehara Beach
There are paid shower facilities available on the beach. The space is large enough to change clothes comfortably.
Here’s how to use them.
1. Prepare coins.
Only 100 yen coins are accepted for the showers. There is no bill changer near the beach, so please make sure to exchange your money beforehand.
2. Insert a coin.
Water will start flowing as soon as you insert the coin.
Where to Store Your Baggage Temporarily
Please note: The baggage storage service mentioned below was no longer available as of our check in November 2021. There are no lockers at Yonehara Beach that can accommodate large items such as suitcases.
We recommend using a Baggage Delivery Service instead.
There are no lockers on Yonehara Beach, but there are stores that can store your baggage. It’s Jerry Fish, a beach items rental shop.
Jerry Fish is a member of a baggage storage service called Ecbo Cloak. Please check the Ecbo Cloak website for how to use it.
Restaurants Near Yonehara Beach
There are several restaurants near the beach, perfect for grabbing lunch before or after a swim.
Why not try Japanese tonkatsu for lunch?
What is Tonkatsu?
Tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish made by coating thick slices of pork in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then deep-frying them until golden and crispy.
It’s a delicious Japanese take on a classic cutlet!
Please note: Business hours may vary. We recommend checking in advance.
Tonkatsu-riki
This is a well-known tonkatsu restaurant, loved by both locals and visitors.
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Sundays and Mondays |
| Menu (Japanese only) | ・Pork Loin Cutlet Set ・Pork Loin Cutlet with Japanese Curry |
| Location | 3-minute walk from the beach |
| Ocean View | – |
| Credit Cards Accepted | No |
| English Spoken | A little |
| Web | Tabelog |
Cafe & Restaurant imagine
This restaurant appears to be permanently closed (as of 2021).
A cosy restaurant
Accommodations Near Yonehara Beach
There are no supermarkets near Yonehara Beach, and most shops close by evening, so dining options at night are very limited.
If you’re booking accommodation in this area, we recommend choosing a plan that includes dinner.
There are only a few buses serving this area, so public transportation is quite limited. Renting a car is highly recommended if you want to explore the area conveniently.
Hanashiro
This is a Minshuku located near Yonehara Beach.
| Address | 644-38 fukai, Ishigaki-shi |
|---|---|
 MAPCODE |
366 427 146*38 |
| Bus Access | Nearest Bus Stop : Yonehara 2-minute walk Routes : No.2, 3, 8,11 From Bus Terminal : 5 buses per day From Airport : 3 buses per day |
| Price Range | Budget-friendly |
| Room Type | Japanese-style rooms |
| View | No scenic views available |
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| Parking | Available |
| Accessible Rooms | Not available |
| Website | Official website (Japanese only) |
JUSANDI
TThis is a luxury hotel that even the author would love to stay at.
| Address | 470 fukai, Ishigaki-shi |
|---|---|
| MAPCODE |
366 428 239*57 |
| Bus Access | Nearest Bus Stop : Yonehara Palm tree 7-minute walk Routes : No.2, 3, 8,11 From Bus Terminal : 5 buses per day From Airport : 3 buses per day |
| Price Range | Luxury |
| Room Type | Western-style rooms |
| View | Ocean view |
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| Parking | Available (up to 5 cars) |
| Accessible Rooms | Not available |
| Website | Official website |
Rich Reson Ishigaki
This is an affordable hotel with good value.
| Address | 474-1 fukai, Ishigaki-shi |
|---|---|
| MAPCODE |
366 428 075*28 |
| Bus Access | Nearest Bus Stop : Yonehara Palm tree 4-minute walk Routes : No.2, 3, 8, 11 From Bus Terminal : 5 buses per day From Airport : 3 buses per day |
| Price Range | Budget-friendly |
| Room Type | Western-style rooms |
| View | No scenic views available |
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| Parking | Available |
| Accessible Rooms | Available |
| Website | Official website (Japanese only) |
| – |
Beach Equipment Rentals Near Yonehara Beach
There are several shops around Yonehara Beach where you can rent beach items.
JellyFish
It is a shop that offers marine tours and lunch. In addition, there is a paid parking lot in front of this shop.
| Business Hours | 9:00am to 6:00pm |
|---|---|
| Closed | Always open |
| Location | 1-minute walk from beach |
| Rental Goods | ・Snorkel and mask ・Life jacket ・Parasol |
| Changing rooms | 〇 |
| Shower | 〇 (Not Free) |
| Accepted Credit Cards | 〇 |
| English | unclear |
| Web | Official |
Yoneko-yaki Seesah Garden: A Must-Visit Spot
Yoneko-yaki Seesah garden is located near the Yonehara bus stop and is a garden where large colorful *Shisa are exhibited. Shisa with various expressions and colors is fun. You can freely visit it for free.
*Shisa
The Shisa is an Okinawan lion dog statue. Shisa has the meaning of amulet and is installed in many buildings in Okinawa. There are many Shisa on Taketomi Island where you can see traditional Okinawan buildings.
Business Hours
9:00 to 4:30pm
Admission
Free
Closed
No Closing days
Web
Official
Instagram
