Our long-awaited return to Ishigaki Island after five years! This time, our family of three spent four days exploring the island, with the first three days based at the luxurious and family-friendly Fusaki Resort Ishigaki. We crafted a relaxing Ishigaki 3 day itinerary filled with local experiences, from resort pools and mangrove walks to live Okinawan music and incredible seafood.
4-days-Itineray in Ishigaki
This post focuses on our Day 1 and Day 2 adventures—ideal inspiration for families planning an Ishigaki family trip.
The last day and our transition to Iriomote Island will be covered in a separate post.
👉 Days 3–4: From spa time to island sunsets—see what we explored next
Day 1｜Arrival in Ishigaki – Check-In at Fusaki Resort & Okinawan Live Music Dinner
Day 1 Highlights
Our Ishigaki family trip began with an afternoon flight into New Ishigaki Airport. From there, we headed to Fusaki Resort Ishigaki by Rental car (or you can request their shuttle or taxi).
After checking in, we wasted no time jumping into the outdoor pool. The view of the ocean, the sound of kids laughing, and the resort vibes instantly set the mood for our island getaway.
Local Pineapple Farm
Before check-in, we made a quick stop at a local pineapple farm.
Even in mid-July, we were lucky to enjoy freshly harvested pineapples—this year’s crop had ripened late!
We tried a super-sweet variety called “Natsumi-chan,” which you can even eat to the core. We also sampled local bananas, and the whole family devoured one whole pineapple on the spot.
We ended up shipping 8kg of fruit home. (Note: Delivery is expected by mid-August due to high demand.)
Arriving at Fusaki Resort Ishigaki
We arrived at Fusaki Beach Resort, our favorite family hotel in Ishigaki. The open-air lobby felt just as welcoming as it did five years ago, when we first visited with our daughter at age six.
This resort has everything for families:
- A main pool with kid-friendly areas
- A private beach with fun water activities
- A poolside bar for parents to relax
- An indoor pool, craft workshops, and massage rooms for rainy days
Shops, restaurants, and even a large public bath make it easy to enjoy your stay without leaving the hotel. We saw many families with toddlers and babies—it’s clearly designed for a relaxing family vacation.
No wonder we came back!
Our Room at Fusaki Resort Ishigaki
We stayed in the North Wing again—it’s close to the lobby, restaurants, shops, and the pool. Super convenient for families.
Our room had:
- A balcony with pool view
- Cozy family beds, including an extra bed (slightly smaller, but comfy even for an adult)
- A spacious bathroom and separate powder room
- Air purifier and coffee machine—great for relaxing!
For long stays, you can skip full cleaning and just request towel and trash service. You’ll get a ¥500 coupon for the hotel shop—nice perk!
We didn’t choose the South Wing or villa-type rooms because they’re farther from the kid-friendly buffet and shops. For families with little ones, the North Wing is perfect.
Okinawan Live & Local Foods
At night, we took a short ride to Usagiya, a popular Okinawan izakaya with live sanshin (traditional three-string instrument) performances. Be sure to book in advance!
The live show was full of surprises:
- Everyone danced together to the Orion Beer Song 🍻
- The crowd sang Happy Birthday to guests celebrating that night 🎉
- Powerful taiko drum performances filled the room with energy 🥁
It was fun for both adults and kids—our daughter even joined the dancers!
A heartwarming and unforgettable start to our trip.
Day 2｜Mangrove Walk & Rainy Day Pool Fun at Fusaki Resort
Day 2 Highlights
We kicked off Day 2 of our Ishigaki 3-day itinerary with breakfast at the resort’s buffet, featuring both Japanese and Western options.
In the morning, we used our rental car to explore the town—shopping at Don Quijote, grabbing lunch at a local spot, and stopping by the scenic Miyara mangroves.
In the afternoon, we relaxed with pool time and some fun water activities back at the resort.
🍽️ About the Breakfast Buffet
Fusaki Resort Ishigaki offers a huge breakfast buffet with Western, Japanese, and Okinawan dishes.
They even have baby food available—perfect for little ones just starting solids.
Kids will love the pancake machine and the make-your-own soft-serve station!
Our daughter ate 4 pancakes in one morning—she loved it that much.
The most popular item is the made-to-order plain omelet, and we found something unique too:
Euglena French toast—a local, healthy twist on a breakfast classic!
📷View Point: Miyara river
Our morning drive took us to Miyara River, a peaceful mangrove area that you can enjoy from roadside trails. We spotted tiny crabs, gobies, and other wildlife up close—no guided tour needed. It’s a low-effort nature spot perfect for families with kids.
Stock Up Smart at Don Quijote Ishigaki
Forgot beach essentials? Don Quijote Ishigaki has you covered—from sandals and sunglasses to snacks, floaties, and souvenirs. We picked up beach sandals for my husband and fun sunglasses for our daughter (which later floated away during kayaking—but no worries, they were super affordable!). If you’re staying over 4 days at Fusaki Resort, buying a float here for under ¥2,000 is cheaper than renting one daily at the hotel. Conveniently located on the way to Miyara River, Don Quijote is a one-stop shop for everything you need—gifts included!
Pool & Marine Activities
Although we planned to play in the outdoor pool, a surprise afternoon shower had us switch to the indoor pool and adjacent onsen-style bathhouse. The facilities were clean and spacious, and warm baths felt great after playing in the rain.
Splash Fun for Kids at the Water Park!
Thankfully, Fusaki Resort Ishigaki has a dedicated kids’ water park right next to the main pool. Despite the cloudy weather, our daughter played non-stop—splash buckets, slides, and sprays made it a highlight of her trip.
Local Food Dinner at Eiko
Dinner that night was in town again. We took a taxi to Eiko Sengyoten, a casual seafood spot loved by locals. The standout? A sashimi platter for just 500 yen (limited to one per group). Fresh, flavorful, and very budget-friendly—it’s worth the trip.
In the next article, we’ll share Day 3 (including SUP at Fusaki Resort) and our Iriomote Island adventures.
Why We Recommend Fusaki Resort Ishigaki for Families
- Outdoor & indoor pools, just steps from the beach
- Kids’ water play area next to the main pool
- Onsite bathhouse for after-swim relaxation
- Hotel-organized SUP lessons (reserve in advance)
- Easy taxi access to downtown restaurants and shops
👉 Check Fusaki Resort Official Site
Useful Travel Links
- 👉 Continue our 4-day Ishigaki adventure (Day3-4): ferry to Iriomote, jungle kayaking, and more family fun!
- 👉 Fusaki Resort Official Site
- ✈️ Flashback: Our 2020 Ishigaki trip is still on the blog! Take a peek
- 🏝️ For more island fun, check our Okinawa travel guide – full of family-tested tips across Ishigaki, Iriomote & more.
- 👉Updated guide: How to get from Ishigaki to Iriomote + 3-night family itinerary 🧭
