Every ferry to the Yaeyama islands leaves from one building: Euglena Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal, in downtown Ishigaki. It is about 25 minutes by taxi from the airport (about ¥3,500) or 30 minutes by the ¥550 direct bus, and two minutes on foot from the city bus terminal. Inside are the ticket counters of the two ferry companies, shops selling bento boxes and souvenirs, a canteen, tour-company desks and a bank ATM.
Two ferry companies
Anei Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry (YKF) share the main routes to Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima and Iriomote (Ohara and Uehara) with the same fares, so you can take whichever boat suits your time. Hateruma is served by Anei Kanko only. Both companies publish a daily operating-status page; check it in the morning, because boats can be cancelled or diverted to Ohara when the sea is rough.
Fares and sailing times
| Destination | Time | Adult one way | Adult round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taketomi | 10–15 min | ¥970 | ¥1,880 |
| Kohama | 25–30 min | ¥1,720 | ¥3,340 |
| Kuroshima | 25–30 min | ¥1,850 | ¥3,590 |
| Iriomote, Ohara Port | 40–50 min | ¥2,520 | ¥4,880 |
| Iriomote, Uehara Port | 45–55 min | ¥3,290 | ¥6,370 |
| Hatoma (both companies) | 45–55 min | ¥3,290 | ¥6,370 |
| Hateruma (Anei Kanko only) | 60–90 min, varies by vessel | ¥4,990 | ¥9,670 |
Fares include the fuel surcharge and change when fuel prices change. Children (elementary school) pay about half; Taketomi is ¥510 one way. Round-trip tickets are cheaper than two singles, but in unsettled weather singles are easier to rearrange.
How often the boats run (winter timetable, October 1 to March 31)
| Island | First boat from Ishigaki | Last boat back | Boats per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taketomi | 7:30 | 17:50 | 18 departures combined |
| Kohama | 9:40 (Anei) | 17:00–17:40 | 10 combined |
| Kuroshima | 8:00 | 16:40 | 6 combined |
| Iriomote, Ohara | 8:30 | 17:00–17:10 | 9 combined |
| Iriomote, Uehara | 7:30 | 16:00–17:15 | 8 combined |
| Hatoma | 8:30 | 16:55 | 2 (Anei) |
| Hateruma | 8:00 | 16:20 | 2 (Anei) |
What limits your day is not distance but frequency. Taketomi has boats every half hour or so; Kuroshima, Hatoma and Hateruma have only two to six, so the timetable fixes how long you can stay. Anei Kanko asks for at least 30 minutes between connecting boats at any port. Summer timetables (April to September) have more departures.
Island Hopping Pass
If you plan three or more islands over several days, Anei Kanko sells an unlimited pass for its own boats.
| Pass (adult) | Without Hateruma | With Hateruma |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | ¥6,800 | ¥12,000 |
| 4 days | ¥7,800 | ¥13,000 |
| 5 days | ¥8,800 | ¥14,000 |
Children pay about half. The pass is exchanged only at the Anei Kanko counter at Ishigaki Port, covers Anei boats only (not YKF), the fuel surcharge is paid separately, and there are no refunds, including for cancellations. A Taketomi round trip alone is ¥1,880, so two or three islands in two days already approach the price of the pass.
Buying tickets and paying
- Buy single or round-trip tickets at the counters on the day. Taketomi and Kohama have plenty of boats; for Hateruma, Uehara and Hatoma, which have few departures and fill up, reserve ahead.
- At Ishigaki Port the counters take cash, credit cards, transit IC cards and QR payments. On the islands it narrows: Ohara, Uehara and Kohama ports take cards and most e-money; Kuroshima and Hateruma ports take cash and PayPay; Taketomi and Hatoma ports take cash only. A round-trip ticket bought at Ishigaki avoids the problem.
- YKF's online tickets are prepaid by credit card only.
- Taketomi charges a ¥300 entry fee per person; the ticket machines are between berths 4 and 5 at the terminal and at Taketomi Port. Bring coins.
- Cancellations: the Uehara and Hatoma routes stop in north winds (often for days in winter), and the Hateruma route crosses open sea. When a boat is cancelled the fare is refunded, and the operators issue cancellation certificates for insurance on request.
For planning the number of nights and which islands fit, see How many nights do you need. Each island page lists fares, frequencies and the last boat: Taketomi, Iriomote, Kohama, Kuroshima, Hateruma.
Sources
- Anei Kanko: timetable and fares, Island Hopping Pass, FAQ, operating status
- Yaeyama Kanko Ferry: routes and tickets
- Ishigaki City: terminal information
- Taketomi Island Nature Asset Foundation: entry fee
Figures are transcribed from official sites via our Japanese articles and were checked between August and October 2026. Schedules and fares change; confirm with the operators before you travel.
