Okinawa Prefecture is made up of many outlying islands, and the main island of Okinawa, where Naha City is located, is one of the leading tourist destinations in the country. In addition to the main island of Okinawa, there are many other attractive islands, such as Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, which belong to the Yaeyama Islands, and Miyako Island, which is the core of the Miyako Islands.
In addition to the larger islands listed above, there are many smaller outlying islands, each with its own unique culture and stunning location, making them very popular.
The main ways to access remote islands are by boat or plane, and Yonaguni Island, one of the remote islands, can be accessed by both boat and plane. This time, we will introduce various information about transportation to Yonaguni Island, focusing on access by plane.
Yonaguni Island is the westernmost point of Japan.
First, let's understand the location of Yonaguni Island. Yonaguni Island is located at 24 degrees north latitude and 122 degrees east longitude, making it the westernmost island in Japan.
Due to its location, Yonaguni Island is surrounded by a subtropical climate, and the warm weather is maintained throughout the year. For those who want to experience the tropical atmosphere, Yonaguni Island is the perfect place.
Access from major airports and fees
Yonaguni Island can be accessed by plane from major airports in Japan. However, to get to Yonaguni Island by plane, you must go via Okinawa main island or Ishigaki Island, not a direct flight.
This will inevitably be a somewhat complicated route, so it's important to have the necessary information in mind beforehand. Let's take a closer look at the access and fares from major airports so you don't get lost when you actually head to Yonaguni Island.
Access and fees from Naha Airport to Yonaguni Airport
There are direct flights from Naha Airport on the main island of Okinawa to Yonaguni Airport, as they are both in the same prefecture. Prices vary depending on the season and airline, but the standard price range is from 7,000 yen one-way for the cheapest to around 13,000 yen for the most expensive.
The journey takes about an hour, so it is relatively easy to travel from Naha Airport to Yonaguni Island.
You can also fly to Yonaguni Airport from Ishigaki Airport on Ishigaki Island. The basic fare is just under 9,000 yen one way, which is a little cheaper than flights from Naha Airport.
Access and fees from Haneda Airport to Yonaguni Airport
When traveling to Yonaguni Airport from outside Okinawa Prefecture, including Haneda Airport, you should first head to Naha Airport or Ishigaki Airport, then transfer to Yonaguni Airport. The estimated fare from Haneda Airport to Naha Airport is just under 10,000 yen to just over 20,000 yen.
The fare from Haneda Airport to Ishigaki Airport is roughly 15,000 to 30,000 yen. The flight time from Haneda to Naha is about 2.5 hours, and from Haneda to Ishigaki it is about 3 hours.
Access and fees from Narita Airport to Yonaguni Airport
When traveling from Narita Airport to Yonaguni Airport, you will need to transfer at Naha Airport or Ishigaki Airport, just like with Haneda Airport.
The fare from Narita Airport to Naha Airport is roughly 10,000 to 20,000 yen, and the fare from Narita Airport to Ishigaki Airport is roughly 10,000 to 20,000 yen. The flight time from Narita to Naha is about 3 hours, and from Narita to Ishigaki is about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Access and fees from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Yonaguni Airport
Chubu Centrair International Airport, located in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, is a transportation hub in the Chubu region. The estimated fare for travel from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Naha Airport is around 9,000 to 18,000 yen.
The fare to Ishigaki Airport will be around 9,000 to 23,000 yen. It takes 2 hours and 10 minutes from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Naha Airport, and about 2.5 hours to Ishigaki Airport.
Access and fees from Itami Airport to Yonaguni Airport
Itami Airport, also known as Osaka International Airport, is a domestic airport located in Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture. The estimated fare for traveling from Itami Airport to Naha Airport is between 14,000 and 26,000 yen.
If you are heading to Ishigaki Airport, the fare will be in the range of around 20,000 to just under 50,000 yen. The flight time is just over 2 hours to Naha Airport and about 2 hours and 25 minutes to Ishigaki Airport.
Access and fees from Kansai International Airport to Yonaguni Airport
It costs just under 8,000 to just over 12,000 yen to get from Kansai International Airport in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture to Naha Airport.
To get to Ishigaki Airport, you will need to pay about 9,000 to 11,000 yen. The flight time is roughly the same as Itami Airport.
What is the cancellation rate for flights to Yonaguni Island?
One thing to be concerned about when traveling to Yonaguni Island is the rate of flight cancellations. Due to its location, the route from Naha or Ishigaki to Yonaguni Island is often a typhoon route, especially in the summer.
Therefore, flights may be canceled depending on the weather, so it is essential to check the weather forecast. Also, while typhoons can be predicted to some extent by looking at long-term forecasts, flights may also be canceled for other reasons.
Flight cancellations are especially likely to occur in winter.
In winter, strong winds blow on the runway at Yonaguni Airport, and depending on the wind speed on that day, there is a great risk. Small jet planes are used on the air routes to Yonaguni Island, so they are easily affected by crosswinds, and there are many cases where flights are canceled due to concerns about accidents.
Many people head to Yonaguni Island in the winter to enjoy warmer weather, but if you do, keep in mind that flights may be canceled.
How to get to Yonaguni Island as cheaply as possible
The above mentioned amounts for travel costs to Yonaguni Island are merely a guideline and are general price ranges. You can take advantage of early bird discounts, transfer discounts, round trip discounts, etc., and by planning your trip carefully, you can reduce costs.
In some cases, you may be able to travel significantly cheaper, so why not consider taking advantage of various discounts?
Ferry from Ishigaki Island is the cheapest option
The only way to travel to Yonaguni Island via Ishigaki Island is by ferry. The one-way fare for the Yonaguni ferry is 3,550 yen for adults, which is significantly cheaper than flying. However, while the ferry is the cheapest option, there are some drawbacks to traveling by ferry.
First of all, the ferry takes 4.5 hours, and the route is prone to roughness, so it is very easy to get seasick. In particular, in winter when the wind is strong, the rocking becomes severe, and even people who do not usually get seasick can become troubled by it.
The number of flights is also limited, with one flight from Ishigaki Island to Yonaguni Island on Tuesdays and Fridays, and one flight from Yonaguni Island to Ishigaki Island on Wednesdays and Saturdays, for both the outbound and return trips. This places a large constraint on the schedule, which can also be considered a disadvantage.
Furthermore, the route between Ishigaki Island and Yonaguni Island is often canceled due to weather conditions. If you are planning to use a ferry, be sure to keep the above points in mind.
Transportation on Yonaguni Island
Yonaguni Island is a remote island, but it is about 25 km around the island, so it is not suitable for travelling by foot alone. To enjoy sightseeing on Yonaguni Island smoothly, make sure you have a means of transport in advance.
Below we will look at some recommended means of transportation.
Generally, renting a car is recommended.
The most recommended means of transportation on Yonaguni Island is to rent a car. Renting a car is easy to maneuver and you won't have to worry about the heat in the summer. It's also easy to carry your equipment if you want to enjoy activities, making it easier to realize flexible sightseeing.
When renting a car on Yonaguni Island, you can use the car rental service located in front of Yonaguni Airport.Munbu Rental Caris recommended. As it is the closest to the airport, you can seamlessly carry out everything from rental to sightseeing, allowing you to enjoy your trip efficiently. It also has a comfortable and popular accommodation facility, so we highly recommend using both.
Use the island loop bus
Yonaguni Island also has public transportation.Island Circulation BusIt is a popular means of transportation for the islanders and can be used for free.
It connects the airport with each settlement, and is a convenient option for travelling around the main areas. However, there are not many buses that run on the island.
If you plan your trip relying solely on this, the time you spend sightseeing at each spot will be limited, and if you miss your train, it will be difficult to recover. Since it is basically a means of transportation for islanders, it may not be suitable as a main means of transportation for tourists.
Rather than relying solely on the island's circular bus as your main means of transportation, it would be best to limit its use to specific destinations.
Book early to save money on your visit to Yonaguni Island
This time, we have introduced information on transportation to Yonaguni Island, the westernmost island in Japan. Planning early and taking advantage of discounts and other offers are key to making the most of your trip to Yonaguni Island.
We hope you will use this article to enjoy your trip to Yonaguni Island.
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