[Kabira Bay, Ishigaki] The Sacred "Blue" Recognized by the World. The Luxury of Just Gazing at the Sea. | 2026 Guide
What spreads out in your field of vision is a gradation that cannot be fully expressed in words. The color of the sea, shifting from emerald green to deep indigo, changes its expression moment by moment according to the movement of clouds and the ebb and flow of the tide.
If you listen carefully, you can only hear the sound of the wind shaking the trees and the gentle sound of waves. This is the most scenic spot in **Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan**, where your heart feels cleansed just by standing there.
1. What is Kabira Bay? A "Michelin 3-Star" View in Northwest Ishigaki
About 30-40 minutes by car from Ishigaki city center. Located in the Kabira area in the northwestern part of the island, this bay is a spot that can be said to be synonymous with Ishigaki Island sightseeing.
Beauty Recognized by the World
The biggest feature of Kabira Bay is its overwhelming scenic beauty. In the world-famous guidebook "Michelin Green Guide Japan", it has earned the highest rating of "3 stars", the only one in Okinawa Prefecture. It is also designated as one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan and a Place of Scenic Beauty.
How to Take Photos of "That Kabira Bay"
You can reproduce the scenery of Kabira Bay seen everywhere exactly by looking at the beach from the front left of the observation deck and including a pine tree branch slightly in the upper left of the angle of view.
Nature Protected Because You Can't Swim
It is human nature to think "I want to swim if it's this beautiful", but actually swimming is prohibited in Kabira Bay. This is because the tidal current is very fast and dangerous, but thanks to that, untouched nature and coral reefs have been protected. Instead, looking into the underwater world with a "Glass Boat" with a glass bottom has become a standard way to enjoy it.
Swimming is NG, but entering up to about knee depth is no problem. Glass boats are surprisingly enjoyable even for those accustomed to the underwater world through snorkeling or diving.
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Find Glass Boat Tours on Klook2. Why Does It Shake Your Soul? "Churamichi" Deep Dive Points
It is too wasteful to just go home after "commemorative photo from the observation deck" and "glass boat" as per the guidebook. Here, I will introduce ways to touch the deep charm of Kabira Bay by changing the perspective a little.
Walking in Silence, The Seaside Promenade
Leave the hustle and bustle of the glass boat landing and walk along the path leading from the park along the sea towards the Ryukyu Pearl main store. The voices of tourists fade away, and a quiet time flows where only the sound of waves echoes.
Kabira Bay viewed from a path swaying with sunlight filtering through trees shows a different, intimate and calm expression from the panorama from the observation deck. Take a deep breath here. You should feel the fatigue of the trip slipping away.
Kabira Kannon-do: Prayer Beyond the View. Red-tiled Hall Calling Back Luck
It is a sacred place for reunion and matchmaking where the legend remains that a left-behind boy called back a ship with prayer. The quiet red-tiled hall is the guardian deity of navigation safety. If you look back after worshiping, you can enjoy the hidden superb view from the gap of trees.
In the 17th century, a boy on a ship that stopped at Kabira Bay to wait for the wind was left behind alone because the ship left while he was ashore. The boy continued to pray desperately to Kannon. Then, the ship that once left riding a favorable wind was pushed back by a mysterious headwind and came back to pick up the boy.
It is said that the boy, who later became a splendid priest, built Kabira Kannon-do in this place with gratitude.
3. "Rules of Strategy" to Avoid Failure Taught by Residents
Kabira Bay is a super famous spot, but there are "local rules" and "traps" that are surprisingly unknown. Especially those who use buses or cashless payments need to be careful.
1. Bus "Boarding" and "Alighting" Points are Different
The bus drop-off point and boarding point are slightly apart.
- When getting off: They drop you off right near the park.
- When getting on: The bus stop is in a slightly different place from where you got off.
If you act just in time for the return bus, you will panic because you cannot find the bus stop. It is an iron rule to confirm the location of the return bus stop first upon arrival.
2. Parking Lot "No Cash" Trap
Car rental users, be careful. Consider that the free parking lot that used to exist is currently unavailable, and aim for the paid municipal parking lot from the beginning.
And most importantly, **the parking lot only accepts cashless payments such as credit cards and electronic money, and cash cannot be used.**
The kindness of "let's prepare small change" backfires. Be sure to prepare cards or smartphone payments.
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Compare Rental Cars on Klook3. Lunch in the Village is "Cash Essential"
In contrast to the high-tech parking lot, once you leave the park and enter the village of Kabira, the time of the good old island flows.
Local delicious shops such as "Oishisa-Gu", "Nakamoto Soba", and "Koen Chaya" in the park are mostly **Cash Only**.
If you say "I left my wallet in the car because I couldn't use cash in the parking lot", you will become a lunch refugee. Both card and cash are essential for walking around Kabira.
*Restaurants in Kabira Garden, such as Chanpuru Cafe, accept credit card payments and cashless payments.
4. Facility Information for a Comfortable Stay
- Toilet: The toilet in the park is clean, ostomate compatible, and equipped with a diaper changing sheet.
- Foot Wash Area: There are a total of 2 foot wash areas that are nice after walking on the sandy beach.
1. Parking lot side of the toilet building (orange tank)
2. Middle of the road climbing to the observation deck (permanent sink)
If you bring one towel, you can enjoy the water's edge without hesitation.
4. Too Wasteful for a Day Trip. Reasons to "Stay"
Many tourists visit during the busiest time of the day and leave in a few tens of minutes. However, the true beauty of Kabira Bay lies in the "morning" and "dusk" when there are no tourists.
The fantastic bay wrapped in morning mist, the water surface dyed golden by the setting sun. These are privileges allowed only to those who stay in this area.
Just 5 minutes by car from Kabira Bay. At **Ishigaki Seaside Hotel** standing in front of the quiet Sukuji Beach, you can spend such luxurious time like everyday life.
Wake up listening to the sound of waves in a spacious cottage, and take a walk in the quiet Kabira Bay before it gets crowded with a rental car or a hotel rental bicycle. Such a "trip like living" teaches the deep charm of Ishigaki Island.
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[Ishigaki Island Sukuji Beach] Shallow "Natural Pool" with No Waves. Charm and Facilities of a Quiet Beach with Beautiful Sunset
Right near Kabira Bay. Safe for small children with jellyfish nets. A beach loved by locals where you can enjoy from daytime swimming to sunset views.
[Resident's Review: Ishigaki Seaside Hotel] Common Traits of Those Who Regret It | A Mistake for Luxury Seekers, Best Choice for Island Time Lovers
Is it really inconvenient far from the city? Difference from ANA or Fusaki? A resident dad teaches "how not to fail" and the "true luxury" only found here.
5. Kabira Bay Basic Information
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Address | 934 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa |
| Access | About 40 min by car from New Ishigaki Airport / About 45 min from Bus Terminal |
| Parking | Paid (Municipal). Completely Cashless (No Cash) |
| Swimming | Prohibited (Due to fast currents and heavy boat traffic) |
| Facilities | Toilet (Ostomate/Diaper changing available), Foot wash area available |
| Dining | Note that many surrounding stores are Cash Only |
| Recommended | Glass boat, View from observation deck, Early morning walk |
*Information as of 2026.
