Ishigaki (石垣市) is a city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It includes Ishigaki island and the Senkaku Islands territory. The city is the political, cultural, and economic center of the Yaeyama Islands. New Ishigaki Airport serves the city. As of December 2012, the city has an estimated population of 48,816 and a population density of 213 persons per km2. The total area is 229.00 km2. It is also the location of the Senkaku Islands (see below in the Geography section).

History

The current city of Ishigaki was founded in 1908 as Yaeyama Village, an amalgamation of the Ishigaki, Ōhama, and Miyara magiri. In 1914 it was renamed to Ishigaki Village, and grew to become Ishigaki Town in 1926. Ishigaki was elevated to city status on July 10, 1947. Historical footnote: One of the first Frenchmen ever to visit Japan, Guillaume Courtet, came ashore at Ishigaki in 1636.

Geography

The city of Ishigaki covers the entirety of Ishigaki Island (222 km2). The island is surrounded by coral reefs. The highest point on Ishigaki Island is Omotodake (525.5 m). The uninhabited Senkaku Islands are located 150 km north of the Ishigaki Island. The Senkaku Islands cover roughly 6.3 km2.

Administrative divisions

The city is divided in twenty-four wards.

Economy

Ishigaki produces sugarcane and pineapples. Tourism is also an important part of the economy of the city.

Transportation

New Ishigaki Airport and Ishigaki Port serve the city.

Climate

Ishigaki has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) with frequent tropical cyclones so not equatorial. "Summers" are hot and "winters" warm. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year; the rainiest months are August and September (due to tropical storms/typhoons) while the driest months are December and July.

Sights

The town of Ishigaki has various sights to offer.

Cultural Properties

There are many designated cultural properties in Ishigaki City.

Cultural Properties

Folk Cultural Properties

Historic Sites

Places of scenic beauty

Natural Monuments

Notable people from Ishigaki

Sister cities

Ishigaki City has four sister cities in Japan and two overseas.

In Japan

Overseas