Isnigaki-Jima

You might know Japan as an island country. However, maybe not many of you have the idea of the exact number of islands we have. There are 6952 (only about 400 islands are inhabited). That’s the number. One of many is Ishigaki Island, selected as one of 52 Places to Go in 2014 by New York Times.

Ishigaki Island belongs to Okinawa prefecture, Japan’s most southern prefecture, and is the main transportation hub for the remote Yaeyama Islands group. Yaeyama Islands comprise 10 inhabited islands and many uninhabited ones. As a result of its isolated location and complex history, Okinawa has its own unique dialects, food and culture that are distinct from the mainland. The islands that make up Okinawa today were called the Ryukyu Kingdom, an independent state once in the 15th to 19th century. It was an important trading hub among China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia which helped to shape Okinawan uniqueness.

I made the journey to Ishigaki, a beautiful Japanese tropical island in early July, when the rainy season had just finished. Crystal-blue tropical water and white sand beaches through the cabin window welcomed me even before landing there. I fell under the spell of the island from the very first moment of the trip. When I got off the plane at Ishigaki Airport, warm air and a big sunshine also welcomed me. »Here I come, Ishigaki Island escaping from the discomfort rainy and bustle city of Tokyo.«

I jumped in an airport shuttle bus that directly goes to Ishigaki Port, a major boat terminal where many ferries depart for neighbor islands. I had planned to explore the Yaeyama Island group based in Ishigaki city for three days.

The population of Ishigaki, a city on the island’s southern edge is about 45,000, which are concentrated in the city. You can find many restaurants, bars, shops and hotels, very much like an urban city. I was looking for a bit more remote and relaxing island though…

The island Taketomi

A ten-minute ferry ride from Ishigaki port took me to Taketomi Island, where time passes at a gentle pace, which made me feel very comfortable. Taketomi has a beautifully preserved Okinawan traditional village with one-storied houses. It is surrounded by coral-block walls, covered with red tiled roofs and Shisa statues, the half lion half dog figurines, believed to ward off evil spirits. With a population of just more than 300 in about 5.5 square kilometers, Taketomi is a charming and relaxing island, suitable for a day trip from Ishigaki.

Taketomi is a fairly small island taking a few hours to explore the tourist attractions. The common transportation on the island is by foot or rental bicycles. There are no public buses or rental cars. However, my recommended way to take a look at the village is by taking one of the tours with a water buffalo drawn cart. The tour around the centre of the village takes around 30 minutes in slow speed, even slower than man’s walking pace. The Japanese-speaking guides are singing songs and playing Okinawan music on their sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument), which makes you adapt to Taketomi’s pace easily.

Okinawan Cuisine

I am a typical Japanese who loves Sushi very much. Though, I also enjoyed eating traditional Okinawan cuisines, which were influenced by China, South East Asia and Japan’s mainland. Okinawan food may be difficult to define, but its bold, intriguing flavours are easy to love – particularly when paired with a glass of local Orion beer or Awamori, the area’s indigenous liquor with 30-45 percent alcohol.

Umibudo

Umibudo literally means »sea (umi) grapes (budo)« in Japanese. As its name suggests, this seaweed does resemble miniature bunches of grapes. Each ball has a delicate skin that releases a salty liquid when you bite on it in your mouth and it is normally eaten by dipping it in tangy soya sauce.

Okinawa Soba

It’s named Soba, which are buckwheat noodles in mainland though; Okinawa Soba is a completely different type of noodles. They are made of wheat and their texture is firm and slightly chewy. Normally it is served with toppings such as green onion, red ginger and soft-boiled pork, called Soki.

Awamori

Awamori is Okinawa’s unique distilled spirit with an alcohol content between 30-45 percent. There are dozens of different Awamori brands. You can enjoy Awamori on the rocks or with water as many Okinawans do. My favourite way to enjoy it is in a cocktail, like many girls enjoy it.

The island Iriomote

The second day, I took a ferry again from Ishigaki Port to Iriomote Island, the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture after Okinawa Island. After a 50 minutes ferry ride, the Japanese island shows a totally different face. I would call Taketomi a tropical rural island; while Iriomote Island is a natural wonderland. Nearly 90 percent of the land is covered with dense jungles and mangrove forests and most of the island is a Japanese National Park due to its diverse eco-systems with unique vegetation and animals. The famous activities in Iriomote Island are snorkeling, sea and river kayaking or hiking in Iriomote’s abundant nature. I chose a river kayaking tour that goes into the heart of the nature wonderland. The good thing about kayaking is that you can closely be a part of the nature. I rowed the kayak towards the innermost depths of the jungles while hearing the birds’ calls and looking closely at the mangroves. The river kayaking in the spectacular jungles and wildlife was an amazing experience that you must try on Iriomote Island!

by Erina Nishi

@ennagic