Ishigaki buses
石垣島の路線バスBusYaeyama Islands
Azuma Bus runs Ishigaki's route buses, and its route 4 links the Bus Terminal and the Ritou ferry terminal with New Ishigaki Airport every 30 minutes in 35 minutes; a ¥1,000 24-hour pass or ¥2,000 three-day pass covers every Azuma route, including the 43-minute Kabira Resort Line, and Karry Kanko adds a half-hourly direct airport bus.
Azuma Bus runs the island's route network from its Bus Terminal in Misaki-cho, and the buses reach the Ritou Terminal for the island ferries a few minutes later. Route 4 is the workhorse, every half hour to and from the airport through Ohama and Shiraho, and route 10 loops past the Art Hotel and ANA InterContinental five times a day. Karry Kanko runs a separate direct bus between the airport and the Ritou Terminal on the half hour.
For Kabira Bay, take route 9, the Kabira Resort Line, six times a day from the Bus Terminal; it takes 43 minutes and costs ¥770 (2025 fare). Route 11 runs from the airport straight to Kabira at 12:15 and 15:00. The round-island routes 2 and 3 and the northern routes to Hirakubo and Hirano run a few times a day each, so out past Ibaruma a rental car or a bike gives you more freedom. The port-to-airport express on route 14 stopped on 1 October 2026.
A 24-hour Azuma pass costs ¥1,000, less than a return trip to the airport, and it runs from the moment you buy it. The Michikusa pass gives three days for ¥2,000; buy either from the driver.
Services
| Service | Time | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azuma route 4, Bus Terminal – Ritou Terminal – Ohama – Shiraho – Ishigaki Airport | 35 min | Every 30 minutesFrom the Bus Terminal 6:30 to 21:00; from the airport 7:15 to 21:45 | Timetable from March 2026 |
| Azuma route 10, airport line via the Art Hotel and ANA InterContinental | 40 min | 5 a dayFrom the Bus Terminal 7:45 to 14:45; from the airport 8:45 to 15:45 | Timetable from July 2026 |
| Karry Kanko direct bus (route 55), Ishigaki Airport – Ritou Terminal | – | Every 30 minutesFrom the airport 9:35 to 19:05; from the Ritou Terminal 8:40 to 18:10 | – |
| Azuma route 9, Kabira Resort Line (Bus Terminal – Fusaki – Kabira – Club Med) | 43 min | 6 a day from the Bus TerminalFrom the Bus Terminal at 6:15, 8:50, 9:45, 12:55, 16:15 and 18:15 | Timetable from February 2026 |
| Azuma route 11, Yonehara Camp Line (Bus Terminal – Yonehara – Kabira – Ishigaki Airport) | – | 2 a day from the airport to KabiraFrom the airport at 12:15 and 15:00 | – |
| Azuma routes 2 and 3 (round-island) and routes 5 and 6 (Ibaruma, Hirakubo, Hirano), plus routes 1, 7, 8 and 13 | – | A few runs a day each | Timetable from February 2026 |
| Other Yaeyama island buses | – | – | – |
Fares
- Azuma 1-day free pass (24 hours), adultChild ¥500. Every Azuma route bus for 24 hours from purchase, not the sightseeing bus; sold on any route bus or at the Bus Terminal. Checked October 2026.¥1,000
- Azuma Michikusa free pass (3 days), adultChild ¥1,000. Every Azuma route bus for three days; sold on board or at the Bus Terminal. Checked October 2026.¥2,000
- Azuma route 9, Bus Terminal to Kabira, adultFare from 1 April 2025. Children half.¥770
- Azuma route 9, Bus Terminal to Club Med or the Seaside Hotel, adultFare from 1 April 2025.¥900
- Azuma route 9, Bus Terminal to Fusaki Beach Resort, adultFare from 1 April 2025.¥360
Weather and cancellations
Azuma Bus posts its running status on its homepage, with a standing notice on how it runs when a typhoon approaches.
Worth knowing
- Buy the 24-hour pass after lunch and it covers the next morning's run to the airport.
- Route 9 reaches Fusaki Beach Resort for ¥360 from the Bus Terminal.
- Carry cash or a contactless credit card for Karry Kanko's bus, which takes no IC cards or QR codes.
FAQ
Quick answers about Ishigaki busesよくある質問
Is there a bus pass on Ishigaki?
Yes. Azuma Bus sells a 1-day free pass for ¥1,000, valid 24 hours from purchase, and the 3-day Michikusa pass for ¥2,000, both covering every Azuma route bus. Buy them from the driver or at the Bus Terminal; they don't cover the sightseeing bus.
How do I get to Kabira Bay by bus from Ishigaki town?
Take Azuma Bus route 9, the Kabira Resort Line, from the Bus Terminal next to the Ritou Terminal. It runs six times a day, takes about 43 minutes to Kabira Park and costs ¥770 for an adult (2025 fare). From the airport, route 11 goes to Kabira at 12:15 and 15:00.
How often is the bus from Ishigaki Airport to town?
Every 30 minutes. Azuma Bus route 4 leaves New Ishigaki Airport every half hour from 7:15 to 21:45 and takes about 35 minutes to the Bus Terminal, and Karry Kanko's direct bus also runs every 30 minutes from 9:35 to 19:05.
How long does Ishigaki buses take?
Azuma route 4, Bus Terminal – Ritou Terminal – Ohama – Shiraho – Ishigaki Airport takes about 35 minutes, every 30 minutes.
How much is Ishigaki buses?
Azuma 1-day free pass (24 hours), adult on Ishigaki buses costs ¥1,000.
Does weather cancel Ishigaki buses?
Azuma Bus posts its running status on its homepage, with a standing notice on how it runs when a typhoon approaches.
Book it
Line up the trip around Ishigaki buses
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