Ishigaki Starry Sky & Jungle Night Tour | Search for Nocturnal Creatures with a Guide

Explore Ishigaki Island at Night, Flashlight in Hand

This is a roughly 2-hour tour in which you search for creatures on Ishigaki Island at night using a flashlight. Together with your guide, you'll look for hermit crabs, crabs, insects and more, and if the weather is good, you'll gaze up at the stars as well.

Equipment rental and photos taken by your guide are included in the price.

You can join after a day of sightseeing, so it's also a great choice when you want to plan an evening activity with family or friends.

Safety at PiPi, a "Maru-Yu" Certified Shop

The tour is run by "Ishigaki Island ADVENTURE PiPi," operated by NASH Co., Ltd.

PiPi is a certified shop under the "Excellent Marine Leisure Safety Provider" program (known as "Maru-Yu"), which is granted only to operators that meet the safety standards set by the Okinawa Prefectural Public Safety Commission. Only about 3% of operators in Okinawa Prefecture hold Maru-Yu certification (as of August 2025).

The shop has cleared strict standards for guide safety training and operations, including regular safety courses for staff. That's why first-time visitors and families with children can join with peace of mind.

7:30 PM: Meet in Front of the Main Entrance of Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal

We meet at 7:30 PM in front of the main entrance of Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. There is no hotel pick-up; the meeting point is at the terminal only.

Once you meet your guide, you'll head by car to the exploration site. Guidance is available in English and Japanese.

Wear long sleeves, long pants and comfortable sneakers. It's also handy to bring something to drink and a towel.

First, Search for Nocturnal Creatures with Your Flashlight

With your guide, you'll move along, shining your flashlight at the ground and around the rocks. See if you can spot creatures that are active at night, such as hermit crabs, crabs and insects.

When the guide finds a creature, you'll check where it is and observe it. Part of the fun of the adventure is seeing things that are hard to grasp from photos alone, such as a creature's size and movements, right in front of you.

Searching for creatures is also a hit with families with children. Feel free to ask your guide on the spot about the species you find or anything that catches your curiosity.

Next, Look Among the Branches and Leaves

Don't just look at the ground. Turn your attention to the branches and the spaces between the leaves as well. You may see birds resting on branches and, depending on the season, newly emerged cicadas.

You'll observe creatures that look very different from how they do in the daytime, with explanations from your guide. The creatures you meet and what you see vary depending on the season and the conditions that night.

If the Weather Is Good, Look Up at the Stars

If the sky is clear, you'll enjoy stargazing too. Away from the city lights, take a moment to look up at the night sky.

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, which spans Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, was the first place in Japan to be certified as an International Dark Sky Park ("Dark Sky Place"). Efforts are underway to protect the darkness of the night sky.

The night sky you'll see depends on the weather, the season, moonlight and other factors. The Milky Way and skies full of stars like those in the photos can't be seen every time.

Finally, Back to Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal

After the adventure, you'll return to Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal, where the tour ends. Plan on about 2 hours from meeting up to finishing.

The photos taken by your guide are yours free of charge. Once you're back, look through them and talk about the creatures you found and the moments that stayed with you.

FAQ

■ Where do we meet, and how long does the tour take? We meet at 7:30 PM in front of the main entrance of Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal. There is no hotel pick-up. The tour takes about 2 hours.

■ Can children take part? Yes. The tour is open to ages 3 to 65. Searching for nocturnal creatures with a guide is also popular with families with children.

■ Does the tour run in the rain? Yes, it runs even in rain. However, it will be canceled if safety cannot be ensured.

■ Will we definitely see the stars? Depending on the weather, they may not be visible. The night sky you see also varies with the season, moonlight and other factors.

■ What should we wear and bring? We recommend long sleeves, long pants and comfortable shoes. Please wear sneakers and bring something to drink and a towel.

■ Can we get photos? Yes. You'll receive the photos taken by your guide free of charge. What gets photographed depends on the weather and conditions on the day.

Things to Check Before Booking

• Meet at 7:30 PM in front of the main entrance of Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal (no hotel pick-up)
• Ages 3 to 65 · about 2 hours
• Long sleeves, long pants, sneakers, plus something to drink and a towel
• Rain policy, and the latest prices and cancellation terms

Prices, available dates and plan details may change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Summary

Tiny crabs and hermit crabs appear in the beam of your flashlight. Searching with a guide opens your eyes to the creatures that come alive on Ishigaki Island at night. And if the weather is on your side, the pleasure of gazing up at the sky awaits too.

Since the meeting time is 7:30 PM, you can join after finishing a day of sightseeing. Why not head out with family or friends, wondering what creatures you'll find tonight?

Be sure to check out the Ishigaki Island Night Starry Sky & Jungle Night Tour.