My partner and I will be spending some time at Taketomi island in late October, traveling from Sapporo right before.
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Due to airline and ferry timetables to Taketomi we will need to spend a night in either Naha or Ishigaki. We will have to fly to Ishigaki regardless prior to taking the ferry to Taketomi, but ideally we would just go directly to the ferry from the airport.
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My question, if you had an evening/early morning to spend before, would you rather do it in Naha or Ishigaki? I am leaning towards Naha simply because it’s the Okinawan capital and there should be plenty to do.
2 comments
I stayed 3 nights in Naha and 4 nights in Ishigaki a few weeks ago.
What I can tell, if your intent is not to move far but just stroll around the city to enjoy a place where you have no choice than transiting, I’d definitely go for Naha, specially in the evening…eating sashimi at the Makishi market (if open), walking/shopping on Kokusaidori, exploring the gallery around… there are some good spot for photography.
The city of Ishigaki was not as vibrant as Naha, more quiet, less « must see » spots, I think that you need a car (or a bike and a lot of time) to really enjoy the highlight of Ishigaki. Yet there are some very good restaurant in the city, but apart from that, the city it self is kinda « meh » (but the island is GORGEOUS).
I would take Naha for sure. Both Naha and ishigaki are great choice and they give you different experience. If you are wondering which city you should choose when you visit only one place, I can not say you should choose Naha directly. However you are gonna visit taketomi, which is a beautiful nature Island, then I think you can pick up Nara for southern city life, not ishigaki, where you enjoy nature like taketomi.