Shiraho
白保24°21′ N 124°14′ EVillageIshigaki-jima
Shiraho is an old farming village on Ishigaki's east coast just south of New Ishigaki Airport, known for the Shiraho reef and its blue coral, and its community now runs the Shiraho Sango-mura reef centre that WWF Japan founded.
Shiraho faces one of the largest blue coral communities in the northern hemisphere, found by an IUCN survey in 1987, and WWF Japan counts more than 120 coral species and 300 fish species on the reef. The long fight over an airport planned for this coast made the village known across Japan, and the present airport opened to the north in 2013.
WWF Japan opened the Shiraho Sango-mura reef centre in the village in April 2000 and handed it to the Shiraho community hall in April 2021. The local NPO Natsupana now leads the conservation work. Villagers describe the reef in their own words as a sea of treasure.
Shiraho Shokudo opens for lunch Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 to 14:00, and Dining Hanabusa serves its homemade soba only from Friday to Sunday. The village sits on National Route 390, which runs up the east coast from town past the airport to the north.
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FAQ
Quick answers about Shirahoよくある質問
What is Shiraho known for?
Shiraho is known for its reef. An IUCN survey in 1987 found one of the largest blue coral communities in the northern hemisphere there, and WWF Japan counts more than 120 coral species on the reef.
Is Shiraho near Ishigaki airport?
Yes. Shiraho lies on the east coast just south of New Ishigaki Airport, on National Route 390.
Is Shiraho a good place to stay?
Stay here to be minutes from the airport and on the reef's doorstep. The Shiraho Nostalgie Garden resort sits in the village.
How do you get to Shiraho?
National Route 390 runs through the village between Ishigaki town and New Ishigaki Airport, which lies just to the north.
Within 12 km
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Guest House Yun Terrace
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Within 12 km
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