On the first day of our four-day trip in our 60s,
we visited Kohama Island.
To reach Kohama Island,
we took a ferry from Ishigaki Island.
In this article,
I’ll share what the ferry experience was actually like
and some useful tips we learned along the way.
From Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal to Kohama Island: Tips Before Boarding
This is Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal.
From here,
you can travel from Ishigaki Island to nearby islands such as
Kohama, Taketomi and Kuroshima.
The terminal shops sell bottled water, tea,
Blue Seal ice cream
and light snacks.
There are very limited shopping options on Kohama Island,
so it is a good idea to buy anything you may need while you are still on Ishigaki Island.
(Some drinks were also available at our hotel.)
If you are buying food at the terminal to take to one of the islands during summer,
I recommend choosing
foods that are less likely to spoil in the heat.
Medical facilities on the smaller islands are also limited.
For travelers in their 60s,
reducing unnecessary risks is an important part of planning a comfortable trip.
There is a timetable inside the terminal,
so check your departure
and head to the correct ferry boarding area.
Because I did not want to feel rushed,
I reserved our ferry tickets in advance.
You can make an advance reservation through the
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry reservation page.
When you are in a hurry,
small mistakes and problems are more likely to happen.
For that reason,
I think planning ahead so you do not have to rush is especially helpful for travelers in their 60s.
At the time of our trip,
it was also possible to change the departure time on the same day (*^▽^*)
Even if you purchase your ticket in advance,
passengers board the ferry in the order they line up.
So if you would like
a seat where you can enjoy the view outside,
I recommend
arriving a little early and joining the line.
Do You Get Seasick on the Ferry from Ishigaki to Kohama Island?
We took this ferry from Ishigaki Port to Kohama Island.
The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Thirty minutes may sound a little long to some people,
but the scenery is so beautiful that the time passes surprisingly quickly.
Some travelers may also be worried about seasickness.
I brought motion-sickness medication with me,
but I did not feel seasick at all.
Of course,
sea conditions can vary depending on the day,
so travelers who are prone to motion sickness may still want to come prepared.
What Is the Ferry from Ishigaki Like Inside?
Here is a look inside one of the ferries.
We took ferries several times during our trip,
and the interiors varied depending on the vessel.
Some ferries had tables like this,
while others did not.
The view outside was fantastic!
This is the ferry we took to Kohama Island.
The seats were clean and sturdy,
and the air conditioning was very strong,
which made the cabin extremely comfortable.
Summers on Ishigaki Island are hot and humid,
so stepping into a cool air-conditioned cabin felt wonderful.
There was even a television onboard,
and a Japanese daytime TV program was playing.
This is what the interior of another ferry with tables looked like.
The seats on this vessel were also clean and comfortable.
On this type of ferry,
the second floor was a VIP area that cost an additional ¥500.
We were not able to go outside from that section.
The boat barely rocked during our ride,
and on one of the ferries,
we were able to go outside on the upper deck.
Feeling the sea breeze while looking out over the ocean was incredibly refreshing.
※Whether passengers can access an outdoor deck depends on the specific ferry.
The scenery from the ferry is beautiful,
so if you are staying on Ishigaki Island,
I definitely recommend taking a trip to one of the nearby islands♪
We also have a suggested Kohama Island sightseeing itinerary
for travelers in their 60s.
