Perhaps it’s because Ishigaki is a relatively new route and they’re just seeing more and more tourists, but whatever the reason, it really put me off going back to Japan again, and I’ve always loved Japan, the Japanese and their hospitality, up until this trip. And it wasn’t just me, Grobblers Mum also made the same comment.  Anyway, perhaps it might have just been the people we encountered and we had bad luck, but I’d be interested to know if anybody else has the same experience.

Make sure you go here during the summer.  I wouldn’t say out trip was spoiled by the weather but I think it made a bit of a difference.  We just got unlucky with the typhoon that was hooning down on the place which forced us to change our flights, but regardless, to enjoy the water, snorkeling and beaches, you really do need to be here during the summer when the weather is good. We went in late September/Early October.

HK Express is the only airline that flies direct from Hong Kong to Ishigaki. You can get cheap flights if you travel off-peak but that goes to any destination from Hong Kong. Check out our quick review of the HK Express Hong Kong to Ishigaki flight here.