September at a glance
| Item | September |
|---|---|
| Average temperature | 28.2°C (highs 31.0°C, lows 26.0°C) |
| Rain | 259.7 mm |
| Sunshine | 189.9 hours |
| Wind | 5.3 m/s, mostly north-northeast |
| Sea temperature | 28.8°C (south of Ishigaki) |
| Typhoon approaches | 1.9 (Okinawa region, 1991–2020 normal) |
| Visitors | 137,874 in September 2025 |
| Ferry timetable | Summer (April 1 to September 30): more departures on every route |
| Lifeguards | Sukuji Beach: lifeguards 9:00–18:00 and nets until September 30, then none. Fusaki Beach: lifeguards to October 31. Box-jellyfish advisory ends September 30 |
Weather
Average 28.2°C (highs 31.0°C, lows 26.0°C), 260 mm of rain, the most of any month, 189.9 hours of sunshine and 5.3 m/s of wind that swings back to north-northeast this month. The typhoon normals give 1.9 approaches, a close second to August.
The sea
28.8°C. Sukuji Beach keeps lifeguards (9:00–18:00) and nets until September 30, and the box-jellyfish advisory ends the same day. Fusaki Beach has lifeguards until October 31. Manta and snorkeling tours run in the warmest water of the year when the sea is calm.
Ferries and which islands to pick
The summer ferry timetable runs from April 1 to September 30 with more departures on every route, and the north wind that cancels the Uehara, Hatoma and Hateruma boats in winter has eased. The risk in this season is typhoons: when one approaches, every boat and flight stops, usually for one to three days, and routes with one to three flights a day have no same-day alternative. Keep a spare day at the end of the trip and book fares that can be changed. Every departure is on the ferry timetable page.
Crowds and prices
137,874 visitors in September 2025, second only to August, because of the Silver Week holidays around the third Monday and the autumn equinox. Ishigaki City's monthly report notes that a typhoon closed the airport for two whole days with cancellations on the days around them; two closed days can wipe out a short trip.
What is on in September
- Tubarama folk-song contest (lunar August 13) at Shin'ei Park, usually September or October (September 23 in 2026).
- Obon when lunar July 13–15 falls in early September.
- Silver Week holidays around the third Monday.
Festivals on the lunar calendar move every year; the island tourism associations publish the dates a month or two ahead.
What to pack
Summer clothes, sun protection, a rain jacket, and a wind layer for the boats from mid-month.
Is September a good time to visit?
A good sea and fewer families than August after mid-month, but the highest rain and near-peak typhoon risk: buy changeable tickets and keep a spare day.
For the whole year on one page, see Best time to visit; for the number of nights, How many nights do you need.
Other months
Sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency: climate normals for Ishigakijima, 1991–2020 (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, wind, cloud amount)
- Japan Meteorological Agency: sea-surface temperature for the sea area south of Ishigaki (monthly means of the daily normals)
- Japan Meteorological Agency: typhoon normals 1991–2020, approaches to the Okinawa region
- Ishigaki City: monthly visitor estimates, 2025 and January–July 2026
- Ishigaki City Tourism Association: Sukuji Beach (lifeguard and net dates); Fusaki Beach Resort FAQ; Okinawa Prefecture: box-jellyfish advisory
- Anei Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry: winter timetables (October 2026 to March 2027) and notices on the Uehara, Hatoma and Hateruma routes
- Ishigaki City official tourism site (annual events), Taketomi Town Tourism Association (event list), Yonaguni Tourism Association, Ishigaki Island Marathon, Ishigaki Triathlon and Ishigaki Hula Festival official sites, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (Southern Cross)
Climate figures are 1991–2020 normals, so any given year differs. Visitor numbers are city estimates. Festival dates on the lunar calendar change every year; confirm with the organisers. Checked in October 2026.
