Yonehara
米原24°27′ N 124°11′ EVillageIshigaki-jima
Yonehara is a small settlement on Route 79 on Ishigaki's north-west coast, known for its shore snorkelling beach and the Yaeyama palm grove, and its juice stand makes it a natural stop on an island loop.
Photo Syced · Wikimedia Commons · CC0 and others, credited in the gallery
Yonehara lies between Kabira and the north, where Route 79 runs close to the sea. The Yonehara palm grove is one of only three places where the Yaeyama palm grows wild, and a boardwalk takes you in under trunks 10 to 20 m tall. Parlor Papaya next to the grove squeezes juice from 8:30, every day except Wednesday.
The beach draws snorkellers to coral close to shore, and a council with Ishigaki City has set out 17 rules for it, from no coral collecting to a life jacket or wetsuit for anyone in the water. The old campsite is closed. Further east at Fukai-Ota, Sabou Ufuta serves pork-belly soba on Sundays and Mondays only.
In winter this stretch faces the north-east wind, and the beach turns rough on many days. Offshore, the Yonehara Double Reef dive site has big patch reefs, and in winter the shops often send their boats to the south side.
Restaurants and cafés
Eat in Yonehara食べる
See and do
Things to do in Yonehara遊ぶ
FAQ
Quick answers about Yoneharaよくある質問
Is there a bus to Yonehara on Ishigaki?
Yes. Azuma bus Routes 2, 8 and 11 run toward Kabira and Yonehara, according to Ishigaki City's tourism site, and they run only a few times a day.
What are the Yonehara beach rules?
Yonehara has 17 local rules, set by a council with Ishigaki City. They ban taking coral, sand or sea life, ask swimmers to wear a life jacket or wetsuit, and ban fires and barbecues on the beach.
Is Yonehara a good place to stay?
Stay here for a quiet base on the north-west coast with the beach at the door. JUSANDI and other small inns sit nearby.
How do you get to Yonehara?
Azuma bus Routes 2, 8 and 11 run toward Kabira and Yonehara, and the Yonehara stop sits on Route 79; services are few outside the airport line.
Within 12 km
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Within 12 km
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