Ishigaki to Iriomote ferry: Ohara or Uehara?

Iriomote has two ferry ports. Ohara, in the southeast, is the shorter, cheaper crossing and is sheltered by islands and reefs. Uehara, in the north, runs on open sea and is the route cancelled most often.

Boats a day counts scheduled departures from Ishigaki across both operators, excluding backup sailings.

Which port should you choose?

• Ohara if your tour meets you there or you are going to Yubu Island: its buffalo cart depot is about 20 minutes by bus from Ohara (JNTO). Also the safer pick in winter.
• Uehara if your tour or hotel is on the north or west side, where the Urauchi River and Pinaisara Falls are (Taketomi Town). Ask your tour or hotel what they do on cancellation days.
• One main road links the two ports (Visit Okinawa), and both operators run a connecting bus from Ohara to Uehara when Uehara is cancelled.

When Uehara is cancelled

• Anei Kanko: Uehara and Hatoma routes are cancelled more often than Ohara because they sail open sea. North winds raise waves, and in winter monsoon season cancellations often continue for days. (Anei Kanko Q&A)
• YKF says the Uehara route runs on the open sea. North winds bring East China Sea swell, and cancellations are frequent in winter. Ohara, Taketomi, Kohama and Kuroshima are sheltered by islands and reefs. (YKF Uehara cancellation guide)
• YKF: if Uehara is cancelled, travel to Uehara via Ohara is possible on an 'Uehara-bound ticket with bus coupon'. The Ohara trip is about 50 min, then the YKF connecting bus about 60 min to Uehara. (YKF Uehara cancellation guide)
• YKF: online Uehara tickets are NOT auto-cancelled when Uehara is cancelled. Show the e-ticket at the staffed counter to get a bus coupon, or cancel yourself via the email link or phone. (YKF Uehara cancellation guide)
• Anei Kanko: if Uehara is cancelled, it runs a connecting bus from Ohara to Uehara. Ask at the Ishigaki counter and buy an Uehara ticket. You get a boat ticket to Ohara plus a bus coupon, which is required to board the bus. (Anei Kanko Q&A)
• Anei Kanko: tickets bought on its own site for a cancelled Uehara sailing are auto-cancelled and refunded. They are NOT moved to the Ohara route, so buy a new ticket at the Anei counter. (Anei Kanko Q&A)
• YKF advises checking with tour or lodging operators in advance of an Uehara cancellation. Some meet guests at Ohara, others expect guests at Uehara via the YKF bus. A winter-season (Oct 2026 to Feb 2027) cancellation bus timetable is published. (YKF Uehara cancellation guide)

Ohara departures

Highlighted: the next departure in Japan time. Tickets work only on the operator that sold them.

Uehara departures

Highlighted: the next departure in Japan time. Tickets work only on the operator that sold them.

Each operator's tickets work only on its own boats; the shared ticket ended on 30 September 2020 (Anei Q&A, YKF Q&A). If you buy a return, come back with the same company.

Iriomote island guide → · Island-hopping planner →