While it is the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago, Ishigaki is small enough to traverse in about an hour, giving visitors ample time to explore its tropical beauty. One of the island's most famous attractions is Kabira Bay, renowned for its emerald waters and white sand beaches. Glass-bottom boat tours offer an up-close look at the bay’s colorful coral reefs and tropical marine life. Some of the most beautiful views of the island's lush greenery can be found atop Mount Omoto, the highest peak in Okinawa, while the mangrove forests of the Miyara River are best experienced on a peaceful kayaking excursion. Sample the island's fresh tropical fruits as well as its famed Ishigaki beef, a premium wagyu variety known for its exceptional marbling and tenderness. Artifacts dating back thousands of years tell the story of the archipelago’s early civilizations at the Yaeyama Museum, and Ishigaki Yaima Village showcases a cluster of well-preserved traditional Japanese houses.