FAQ

It's a tour aboard the sabani, Okinawa's traditional wooden boat, where you can take in the sea and nature of Taketomi Island at an unhurried pace. Unlike a motorboat, it lets you feel the sound of the waves and the wind up close. More than just sightseeing, it's a special experience of the calm, soothing "island time" that flows through Taketomi.

The tour takes about two hours, including preparation and travel time, so please leave a little room in your schedule before and after. Please note that the start time may be delayed to suit the day's weather and tide, and the tour may be shortened for safety reasons. Our sailings are governed by natural conditions, and we appreciate your understanding.

Staying mainly within the waters around Taketomi Island, we read the day's wind, waves, and tides and take you to the most beautiful and safest place. The route differs every time depending on conditions—at Shu-kaji, rather than heading for a fixed "scenic spot," we sail to wherever is most beautiful on that day, at that moment. The scenery itself, shifting with the wind and tide, is a view that belongs to this voyage alone.

The experience is mainly spent on board, but depending on the plan and the day's sea conditions, there may be time to wade and play in the shallows. Some guests get so excited by the crystal-clear water in front of them that they jump straight off the sabani for a swim! The sea around Taketomi Island is shallow and relatively calm, but it is still open sea, with currents. If you'd like to go in, please always let your guide know first, for safety's sake.

First-timers are more than welcome. No special experience or skills are needed, so please don't worry. Your guide handles the boat, but if you'd like, you can also try paddling alongside them with a traditional paddle called an eku.

Every tour is already private—limited to one group per tour—so you can relax and enjoy it with just your family, partner, or friends.

Yes—we can accommodate anything from small groups to parties of several dozen! Each sabani holds a maximum of 8 people, but for groups of 9 or more, such as company trips, we can arrange things in the following ways:
- Sail several sabani at the same time
- Split into time slots and take the tour in turns
We'll propose the best plan for your group size and schedule. If you're wondering whether your group is too big, just get in touch with your numbers, preferred date and time, and age range, and we'll be happy to help!

You cannot rent a car to get to Taketomi Island. It is recommended to take a high-speed ferry from Ishigaki Port to Taketomi Port and then rent a bicycle to get around the island.

You can park your rental car in Ishigaki Island in parking lots around Ishigaki Port. However, these parking lots can get full on weekends, so it's a good idea to check out nearby parking options in advance.

The high-speed ferry ride from Ishigaki Port to Taketomi Port takes about 15 minutes. Because the travel time is short, you can easily enjoy a day trip to Taketomi Island for sightseeing or a traditional Okinawan boat (sabani) tour.

Taketomi Island is about 10–15 minutes from Ishigaki Island by high-speed ferry. First fly to Ishigaki Airport, then travel from the airport to the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal and board the ferry. Taketomi has no airport, so the island is accessible only by boat. See ourAccess pagefor details.

The meeting point is on Taketomi Island. As a rule, we meet you at the location of your choice (Taketomi Port, your accommodation, the water buffalo cart stop, etc.). After you book, we will send you the exact meeting place and time. *If you are using a rental bicycle or similar and would prefer to meet and part directly on site (at the beach, etc.), please let us know in advance.

Yes—we offer free pick-up within Taketomi Island, at Taketomi Port, your accommodation in the village, and so on.
*We're sorry, but we do not offer pick-up from Ishigaki Island (by boat). If you're coming from Ishigaki, please take the ferry to Taketomi yourself; we're happy to meet you at Taketomi Port.

Please be at your chosen pick-up point about 5–10 minutes before the tour starts. So that we can depart smoothly, we'd appreciate it if you could change, use the restroom, and be ready to go (in clothes you don't mind getting wet) before we arrive.

Yes, you can join as a day trip, timed around the ferry schedule.

It varies by season, but the last ferry is generally around 5 p.m. Please check each ferry company's website for details.
> Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
> Anei Kanko

Yes, you can. The tour is spent mostly on board, and everyone wears a life jacket, so even those who are not confident swimmers can enjoy it with peace of mind.

In light rain, the tour may still go ahead—we provide rainwear, so there's no need to worry. However, if we judge that the tour cannot be safely held due to strong winds, high waves, lightning, or the like, it will be cancelled or its content changed, such as shortening the route. Your safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding.

We assess the weather and sea conditions the day before or on the day, and notify you using the contact details from your booking. Please understand that if the weather deteriorates suddenly, notice may come at short notice.

There's far less of the heavy rolling and engine smell of a motorboat, but the sabani does rock with the waves, so if you're concerned, we recommend taking motion sickness medication beforehand. If you feel unwell during the tour, please don't hesitate to tell your guide.

Children and seniors are welcome, but we make the final decision with safety as the top priority, taking into account the day's sea conditions and the physical demands of boarding and disembarking. If your party includes a child aged three or under, please be sure to consult us in advance so we can ensure their safety. If you have any other concerns, feel free to contact us. For safety reasons, we generally ask pregnant guests to refrain from taking part. However, this depends on the stage of pregnancy and how you are feeling, so if you would like to join, please be sure to consult us beforehand.

When stepping off into the shallow water, guests occasionally scrape their feet on coral. If you're concerned, we recommend wearing sandals or water shoes with sturdy soles.

We assess the weather, wind, waves, and currents as a whole and sail only when conditions allow us to do so safely. All participants wear a properly sized life jacket, and a guide who knows the waters of Taketomi Island inside and out leads the tour with safety as the first priority.