Okinawa to Iriomote: How to Get There by Ferry and Flight

The Route: Why There Is No Direct Ferry from Naha to Iriomote

If you're searching for a direct ferry from Naha to Iriomote Island, it doesn't exist. Iriomote is part of the Yaeyama Islands (八重山), a subtropical chain roughly 400 km southwest of Okinawa's main island. The only way to reach Iriomote is through Ishigaki Island, which serves as the gateway hub for the entire Yaeyama chain.

The standard route from Okinawa to Iriomote involves three steps: fly from Naha to Ishigaki (50-60 minutes), take a bus from Ishigaki Airport to the ferry port (20-30 minutes), then catch a high-speed ferry to Iriomote (30-40 minutes). Total door-to-door time is approximately 3-4 hours, depending on how well your connections line up.

This guide walks through each step with current schedules and costs, so you can plan the connection without surprises. For a broader overview of all Okinawa island destinations, see our hub guide.

Step 1: Flying from Naha to Ishigaki

Flights from Naha Airport (OKA) to Ishigaki Airport (ISG) take 50-60 minutes. According to Solaseed Air, the Naha-Ishigaki route operates with multiple daily flights via ANA and Solaseed Air (codeshare).

Detail	Info
Airlines	ANA, Solaseed Air (SNA), JTA
Flight time	50-60 minutes
Lowest one-way fare	From ¥9,984 (~$66)
Peak season fare	¥15,000-25,000+ (~$100-165)
Booking tip	Book 180 days in advance for lowest fares

Flights are most frequent in summer and can reduce to 3-4 daily in winter. Morning flights give you the best chance of reaching Iriomote the same day with comfortable connection times.

There is no train or bus service between Naha and Ishigaki — flying is the only practical option.

Step 2: Getting from Ishigaki Airport to the Ferry Port

Ishigaki Airport and Ishigaki Port (石垣港) — the ferry terminal — are not in the same place. You need to take a bus or taxi from the airport to the port.

By bus: Buses depart from Ishigaki Airport approximately every 20 minutes and reach the port area in 20-30 minutes. The fare is approximately ¥500-1,000 (~$3-7) depending on the route. Look for buses heading to the "離島ターミナル" (Ritō Terminal / Remote Island Terminal).

By taxi: A taxi from the airport to the port takes about 20 minutes and costs roughly ¥2,000-3,000 (~$13-20). Worth considering if you're in a group or running tight on time.

The ferry terminal — formally called the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal — has ticket counters for multiple ferry companies, a waiting area, coin lockers, and a few small shops. You can buy ferry tickets here or book online in advance through Anei Kanko or Ishigaki Island Ferry.

Important: Iriomote has limited ATMs (only at the ferry ports). Withdraw cash at the airport or at convenience stores in Ishigaki town before boarding.

Step 3: Ferry from Ishigaki to Iriomote — Ohara vs Uehara

Iriomote has two ferry ports, and choosing the right one depends on what you plan to do on the island.

Ohara Port: Southern Iriomote and Mangroves

Ohara Port (大原港) is on the southern coast of Iriomote. According to Anei Kanko, the high-speed ferry from Ishigaki to Ohara takes approximately 40 minutes. The adult one-way fare is ¥4,250 (~$28), children ¥2,125 (~$14).

Ohara is the better choice if you're planning:

• Mangrove river kayak or boat tours (Nakama River, Hinai River)
• Activities in southern and central Iriomote
• A connection that's generally more weather-resistant (southern route cancels less often than northern)

Ferries to Ohara depart roughly every 1-2 hours from approximately 8:00 to 17:00.

Uehara Port: Northern Iriomote and Jungle Trails

Uehara Port (上原港) is on the northern coast. According to Ishigaki Island Ferry, the high-speed ferry takes approximately 30 minutes. The adult one-way fare is ¥3,200 (~$21), children ¥1,600 (~$11).

Uehara is the better choice if you're planning:

• Jungle trekking and waterfall hikes (Pinaisara Falls, Mariyudu Falls)
• Snorkeling at Hoshizuna Beach (star sand beach)
• Activities in northern Iriomote

Departures to Uehara run at approximately 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:30, and 17:00. However, the northern route is more exposed to weather — Uehara ferries cancel more frequently than Ohara ferries during rough seas.

For details on what to do on Iriomote Island once you arrive, see our jungle and activities guide.

	Ohara Port	Uehara Port
Ferry time	~40 min	~30 min
Adult fare (one-way)	¥4,250 (~$28)	¥3,200 (~$21)
Best for	Mangroves, south Iriomote	Jungle trails, north Iriomote
Weather reliability	More reliable	Cancels more often
Ferry frequency	Every 1-2 hours	~6 departures daily

Timing Your Connection: Sample Schedules

The trickiest part of this journey is lining up the flight, bus, and ferry. Here are two practical connection plans.

Morning Arrival Connection

• 07:00-08:00 — Depart Naha on early morning flight
• 08:00-09:00 — Arrive Ishigaki Airport
• 09:10-09:30 — Take airport bus to Ishigaki Port (20 min)
• 09:30-10:00 — Buy ferry ticket and wait
• 10:00-10:30 — Catch mid-morning ferry to Uehara (30 min) or
• 10:00-10:40 — Ferry to Ohara (40 min)
• Arrive Iriomote by 10:30-10:40 — Full day ahead

Afternoon Arrival Connection

• 11:35-11:40 — Depart Naha on late morning flight
• 12:35-12:45 — Arrive Ishigaki Airport
• 12:50-13:10 — Take airport bus to port
• 13:10-13:30 — Buy ticket, quick lunch at terminal
• 13:30-14:00 — Catch afternoon ferry
• Arrive Iriomote by 14:00-14:10 — Half day for activities

Many visitors on Reddit recommend the morning connection for the fullest first day. If your flight is delayed, the afternoon connection still works — but allow at least 90 minutes between landing and your target ferry departure to account for baggage claim, bus wait, and ticket purchase.

What to Do When Ferries Are Cancelled

Ferry cancellations are a real risk, especially during typhoon season (August-October). When the sea is too rough, all Iriomote ferries stop — sometimes for multiple consecutive days.

If your ferry is cancelled:

• Check status: The Yaeyama Kanko Ferry website posts updates in Japanese. Use the Yahoo Weather Japan app to check sea conditions.
• Stay in Ishigaki: Hotels are available near the port. Ishigaki has enough beaches, restaurants, and activities to fill unexpected extra days — see our Ishigaki Island guide for recommendations.
• Consider a Taketomi Island side trip: The ferry to Taketomi is only 15 minutes and operates on a more sheltered route. It's sometimes running even when Iriomote ferries are not.
• Don't panic about flights: Flights between Naha and Ishigaki are rarely cancelled by typhoons — it's the ferries that stop first.

Build buffer days into your itinerary if visiting during August-October. A plan that requires hitting every connection perfectly is a plan that typhoons will ruin.