Ishigaki Island

Yaima Village Interacting with the squirrel monkeys was very relaxing.

This trip was very comfortable in the luxurious 7-seater car. Our driver, Ms. Zheng, drove very safely. Before departure, she double-checked the pre-arranged itinerary. Ms. Zheng accompanied us to our destinations, helped us buy tickets, and took photos for our family, treating us like friends. When we arrived at the restaurant we had originally booked, it was too crowded, so we changed to another place. So, if there are any changes to the itinerary, we can easily make adjustments. Thank you, Ms. Zheng, for being so cooperative with the schedule! Today's chartered day trip was a wonderful experience. Highly recommend Ms. Zheng! 👍👍👍

The day I set off was cloudy, so there was no stargazing activity; instead, we spent an entire hour exploring the jungle. Our guide, Ms. Kameyama, was incredibly friendly and welcoming. After we met up, the 30-minute drive from the main station to the northern jungle began, during which she introduced us to the various features of Ishigaki Island, describing what we were going through as we went, creating a wonderful atmosphere like a road trip. Once in the jungle, rain boots and flashlights were provided. The path was quite rugged, involving some climbing, so I recommend wearing comfortable, casual clothing. The guide also brought a camera to take photos, so you don't need to bring too much; travel light. On the day of the trip, we were incredibly lucky to see a huge variety of species (the highlighted coconut crabs, hermit crabs, non-venomous snakes, geckos, frogs, and various arthropods). And it wasn't just animals; there were also many unique plants, and even a terrain explanation. Ishigaki Island used to be submerged underwater; tectonic activity brought it to the surface, and many of the cliffs and caves we see today are coral reef formations, including stalactites that produce beautiful sounds when gently tapped. All of this was incredibly novel and interesting to me! Because I rarely experience this kind of primeval forest, I asked questions everywhere along the way. The tour guide patiently listened to my broken English and answered my questions, which made me very happy and satisfied. Even after returning home, I was still eager for more and decided that I must bring my family and friends to participate in this kind of trip next time!