Yaeyama islands - camping @ Ishigaki-jima

Although I toured the globe with a tent in my backpack for decades - preferably on my motorbike - this is my first camping experience in Japan.

I spent now two weeks on Iriomote-jima and Ishigaki-jima at three out of five listed campgrounds. Three campsites are on Iriomote and two on Ishigaki, whereas the supposed best located campground on Yonehara Beach continues to be closed since last year. Don't be fooled, as still a busline 'Yonehara Campground Line' runs daily from the airport to the west coast.

Therefore Inoda Auto Campground was the only option on Ishigaki - spacious and directly located in dense native bush right at Inoda Beach. There is a reception and reasonable facilities, like a sanitation block with hot showers, covered cooking facilities and a mini-shop. End of March temperatures are still around 20 degrees and weather - probably all year round - is rather changeable. Too early for swimming, except you have a wetsuit for some of the best snorkeling out there.

The five days I spent at Inoda campground, only one day was sunny and summer-like. The others were grey sky and partly raining. 'Raindrops are falling on my head ...' can be enjoyed too, as long as your tent is in good condition. And although the campsite is somewhat isolated on the east coast, there is a bus stop right in front (Hirano Line 6, stop 35) that makes it a good and cheap base to explore the island. The 5-day pass is 2000 yen only.

Camping on Ishigaki-jima is surely worth to be included in your Yaeyama island hopping. And once Yonehara Beach Campground close to famous Kabira Beach reopens, a week might even not enough ...

ps: My rough calculated expenses for two weeks camping on Ishigaki and Iriomote for camping (14 nights 100€), transport (bus and ferry 100€) and food&drinks (250€) are on a low budget solo travel and do not include any organised sportive or adventure activities.