Hateruma with a night on the island

Only Anei sails here, on open ocean, and the boat does not run at night. Stay a night: the beach gets its evening light and the sky is the reason people come.

The plan

1. 08:00Day 1: Ishigaki → Hateruma Anei; there by 09:40. Anei asks you to book this sailing online by 18:00 the day before.
2. before you goCheck the morning status. The crossing takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and about 90 to 100 minutes on the large boat Paiji-ma 2 (Anei timetable). Boats do not run at night (JNTO). (source)
3. on arrivalPick up a rental. There is no public transport, and visitors rent a car, scooter or bicycle (JNTO). The routes to the southern monument and Nishihama are long and hilly, so an electric bike or scooter helps (Taketomi Town Tourism Association). (source)
4. late morningGo to Nishihama Beach in the northwest. The town praises its white sand and clear water (Taketomi Town). (source)
5. lunchBamboo, 3 minutes on foot from Nishihama, serves lunch 11:30 to 14:30 and closes on Tuesdays, as published on 3 Nov 2026 (Taketomi Town Tourism Association). Otherwise bring food. (source)
6. early afternoonRide to Cape Takanazaki, where a stone monument marks the southernmost point of inhabited Japan above cliffs hit by heavy surf (Taketomi Town). Keep back from the edge. (source)
7. before the boat backReturn the rental and be at the port early for the afternoon boat. With two boats a day each way, it is the only sailing back after the morning arrival (Anei timetable). (source)
8. eveningSunset at Nishihama, then the sky. Most inns shuttle their guests; arrange dinner when you book.
9. 16:20Day 2: Hateruma → Ishigaki Anei; Ishigaki by 18:00. The other sailings: 09:50.

Getting around Hateruma

There is no public transport on Hateruma. Visitors rent a car, scooter or bicycle, and most inns shuttle their overnight guests (JNTO). The town tourism association lists Hotel Oceans as renting cars, motorbikes and bicycles, with phone booking; price not published on 3 Nov 2026. Visit Okinawa says most visitors come by rental car or bicycle (Visit Okinawa).

Where to eat

Food is limited, so bring something. The town tourism association lists Bamboo, a 3-minute walk from Nishihama and 5 minutes from the port, with lunch 11:30 to 14:30 and dinner 18:00 to 22:00, closed on Tuesdays, as published on 3 Nov 2026. It also lists a general goods store, Adan (Taketomi Town Tourism Association).

Boat times are the operators' published timetables in force (Anei to 2027-03-31, YKF to 2027-02-28), checked 3 Nov 2026, using the longest printed crossing time and a 30-minute connection at Ishigaki. Tickets work only on the company that sold them.

Tours for this plan

Some include the ferry; check each listing.

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Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Nishihama Beach, Hateruma Island: Paipateroma, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kabira Bay from above with glass-bottom boats, Ishigaki: 663highland, CC BY 2.5; ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, Ishigaki: Syced, CC0 1.0.