Kabira Bay | Michelin 3-Star Scenery & Glass-Boat Complete Guide

If asked “What’s the place you absolutely can’t miss when you go to Ishigaki?”, there’s a place many people name without hesitation. That is Kabira Bay.

This place, which earned the only three-star rating within Okinawa Prefecture in the global tourist guidebook “Michelin Green Guide Japon,” continues to fascinate travelers from home and abroad with its landscape woven of white sand beach, emerald-green sea, and green-covered islets. Its fame as a sightseeing spot goes without saying, but for those wondering “How exactly should I enjoy it?”, we’ll convey Kabira Bay’s appeal and how to enjoy it without holding back.

What Is Kabira Bay? Ishigaki’s Japan-Best Superb-View Spot

Kabira Bay is a bay located in northwestern Ishigaki, surrounded by gentle mountains and deep greenery. Within the bay, large and small uninhabited islands are scattered, and that multi-island beauty makes Kabira Bay’s landscape a one-of-a-kind one found nowhere else. In the sea live over about 300 kinds of coral and over 1,000 kinds of tropical fish, and it’s known as a black-pearl cultivation site too.

What is “Kabira Blue”

The color of Kabira Bay’s sea differs a little from a general “blue sea.” Within a see-through blueness, a mysterious emerald green mixes in, and the color changing moment by moment with the light’s degree and the tide’s ebb and flow is Kabira Bay’s feature. This distinctive sea color is called “Kabira Blue,” and it’s become one of the words symbolizing Ishigaki.

Several conditions overlap as the reason Kabira Blue is born. First, seawater boasting one of the world’s leading transparencies. Next, the white sand beach and sandy ground reflecting light on the seabed. And the bay landform keeping the waves calm and the sea surface kept clear—when these combine, that mysterious color is born. On clear days of course, but even on cloudy days many travelers are moved that “it’s more beautiful than I thought,” because Kabira Blue has its own shine that doesn’t lose to any weather.

Reasons it was chosen as a Michelin three-star / one of Japan’s 100 Landscapes

Kabira Bay has had the beauty of its landscape recognized by multiple authoritative evaluation bodies.

• Michelin Green Guide Japon three stars: earned the only three-star rating within Okinawa Prefecture. Introduced to the world’s travelers as “worth a special journey”
• Japan’s 100 Landscapes: selected as one of the scenic spots representing Japan, selected since the Showa era
• National designated place of scenic beauty / within a national park: protected from the standpoint of nature conservation too, as part of Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park

The reason it receives this many evaluations isn’t merely a “pretty sea.” Coral reef, tropical fish, black-pearl cultivation, multi-island-beauty landscape, history and culture are condensed within a single bay, and that comprehensive richness is evaluated by the world.

Basic information

Item	Details
Official name	Kabira Bay
Address	Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Admission	Free (observation deck/beach strolling free; parking is paid)
Swimming	Prohibited (activities like glass boat/canoe/SUP are OK)
From New Ishigaki Airport	About 30–40 min by car
From Ishigaki Port/town	About 30–40 min by car
Access by bus	Azuma Kotsu bus “Kabira Resort Line” → get off at “Kabira Koen-mae” (about ¥810 from airport / about ¥720 from town) *about 4–6 a day
Taxi (guide)	About ¥5,800 from airport / about ¥4,200 from the bus terminal

Buses have few departures, running only about 4–6 a day. Be sure to check the return bus time before starting your sightseeing. With a rental car, you can efficiently tour northern Ishigaki—the Manta Scramble surroundings, Yonehara Beach and the like—with Kabira Bay as your base.

Why Is Kabira Bay Off-Limits to Swimming

“Such a beautiful sea, yet why can’t I swim?”—a question almost everyone who visits Kabira Bay for the first time feels. Honestly, wanting to swim is only natural. That’s how beautiful the sea is.

However, Kabira Bay has the geographic characteristic that the tidal current is very fast. Due to the bay landform connected to the open ocean, a strong tidal current occurs at every ebb and flow, and contrary to the apparent calm, underwater becomes a dangerous state. Swimming accidents have occurred in the past too, and currently the bay’s main area is designated a swimming-prohibited zone for safety.

In addition, since glass boats go back and forth in the bay at all times, the collision risk with swimmers is one big reason too. Observing the rules connects not only to protecting your own safety but to protecting this beautiful sea for generations to come.

The worry “If I can’t enter the sea, can I even enjoy it?” is needless. There are abundant activities starting with the glass boat, and there are several ways to safely experience Kabira Bay’s underwater world.

Kabira Park Observation Deck | The Best Viewpoint for Enjoying the Superb View

If you visit Kabira Bay, the first place we want you to head to is the Kabira Park Observation Deck. Set on a small hill in Kabira Park adjoining Kabira Bay, this observation deck is Ishigaki’s foremost shutter spot, where you can survey the Kabira Blue sea, white sand beach, and green islands at a glance.

The observation deck can be used for free, and since promenades are maintained, you can gaze at Kabira Bay from various angles while strolling. The hibiscus and southern plants blooming here and there add color to your photos too. On clear days of course, but even on cloudy days and rainy days, a “picture-worthy” scene spreads out—that’s Kabira Bay’s real power.

The time slot it looks most beautiful is around 10 a.m.–1 p.m. on a clear day. The higher the sun’s position, the more light enters the sea surface, and the gradation of Kabira Blue stands out. The early morning (before 9) when there are fewest tourists is exceptional too—the scenery of Kabira Bay spreading out in the silence.

Enjoy an Underwater Walk by Glass Boat

What many travelers choose as the top way to enjoy Kabira Bay is the glass boat. Since the boat’s bottom is glass, you can peer into Kabira Bay’s underwater world without entering the sea—no changing needed, in your everyday clothes. You can observe coral reef, colorful tropical fish, and sometimes even the figure of a sea turtle.

• Time needed: about 30 min
• Hours: around 9:00–17:00 (departs at 15–20 min intervals)
• For: from age 0 to the elderly and wheelchair users, all can participate
• Clothing: everyday clothes OK (no swimsuit/change needed)
• Rain: since you’re inside the boat, participation is possible even in rain. However, the seawater may get cloudy the day after rain

Comparison of the two major glass-boat shops

There are several main shops operating glass boats at Kabira Bay, but among them two long-established companies boast overwhelming fame and track record.

Shop name	Features	Fee	Parking
Kabira Marine Service	The peace of mind of a long-established shop. Departs every 15 min from 9:00–17:00. Web discount/advance-booking discount available (up to 23% off). Discount tickets in the bus-terminal/airport pamphlets	Adult around ¥1,300 (even better value with Web/advance-booking discount)	Free parking available (users)
Marine House Gurukun	An original circuit course is the feature. The easy-to-see “Gurukun-go” with a large glass surface is popular. A stable design that doesn’t sway easily	Adult around ¥1,300 (discount with advance booking)	Free parking available (users)

Both have nearly the same fees and hours, and you can board even without a reservation. However, since both get crowded in the busy season, if an advance booking is available, booking from the Web shortens the wait and gets a discount too, so it’s recommended. Since the captain explains the underwater creatures, sitting in a seat near the captain lets you enjoy it in more detail.

The best time slot to ride the glass boat

To enjoy the glass boat more, be mindful of the timing of boarding too.

Time slot	Sea state	Recommendation
Around high tide (often around midday)	The depth increases and the sea’s transparency/blueness stands out. Kabira Blue looks most beautiful	★★★★★
From low tide toward high tide	As the tide moves, the fish’s activity rises. Coral is easy to see, ideal for observing creatures	★★★★☆
At low tide	The water level drops and coral is easy to see, but the sea color settles a bit	★★★☆☆
Rainy day / day after rain	The seawater may get cloudy and visibility worsen. The boat operates, but it’s unsuited to observation	★★☆☆☆

Since the glass boat is a small boat, those worried about motion sickness can feel reassured taking motion-sickness medicine in advance. Since it operates within the bay the waves are calm, but depending on your condition you may feel sway. Also, since the sand beach’s reflection is strong, having sunglasses is comfortable.

Other Activities You Can Enjoy at Kabira Bay

How to enjoy Kabira Bay isn’t only the glass boat. Even though swimming is prohibited, by joining a guided tour you can actually enter and enjoy Kabira Bay’s underwater world.

Activity	Features	For	Time needed
SUP (stand-up paddle)	The experience of standing on the highly transparent Kabira Blue is expressed as “like floating in midair.” Kabira Bay’s most popular activity	Beginners up. From children to adults	About 2.5 hours
Kayak/canoe	Stable, and two-seater is possible too. Even beginners are fully supported by a guide. Enjoyable in rain too	Beginners up. From children to adults	About 2.5 hours
Snorkeling	Since the bay’s main area is swimming-prohibited, conducted in the swimmable zone around the islets/uninhabited islands floating offshore	Those who can swim. Guide accompaniment required	About 3–4 hours

Especially SUP, with the sensation of walking on the transparent Kabira Blue sea combining with the superb view, is reputed to become a highlight of an Ishigaki trip. Since an instructor guides carefully even for first-timers, you can challenge it with peace of mind. Advance booking is recommended for all activities. Same-day booking can become difficult in the busy season.

Kabira Bay Parking and Access Information

A rental car is convenient for Ishigaki sightseeing, but there are several things you should know in advance about Kabira Bay’s parking.

Parking	Fee	Capacity	Cautions
Kabira No. 1 / No. 2 lot (paid)	¥300	For regular cars/buses	Payment is electronic only (no cash). Supports QR payment like PayPay and transit IC cards
Free lots of each glass-boat shop	Free	Differs by each shop	For glass-boat users only. Ryukyu Pearl Kabira main store has 15 regular-car / 6 bus spaces

The point that parking payment is electronic only is important information easy to overlook. If you only have cash you can’t park, so prepare your smartphone’s payment app before the trip, or use the free lot for glass-boat users. In the busy season (summer break/consecutive holidays) the lot often fills up too, so aim to arrive early.

Gourmet and Stop-By Spots Around Kabira Bay

The Kabira Bay surroundings are maintained as “Kabira Park,” an area where eateries, souvenir shops and experience facilities gather. Drop by between sightseeing.

• Koen Chaya: a long-established eatery beside Kabira Bay. Serves Ishigaki local cuisine like Yaeyama soba, soki soba and various chanpuru. A famous spot with many repeaters, with a history of over 40 years (hours 10:00–16:00)
• Kabira Farm: tropical juices using passion fruit and mango grown at the home farm, conscientiously priced from ¥300 each. Recommended for a drink on the way back from the glass boat
• Ryukyu Pearl Kabira main store: a pearl specialty store named after Kabira Bay being a black-pearl cultivation site. With an exhibition corner where you can learn the cultivation mechanism, it can be enjoyed as a sightseeing spot too. Fully equipped with a free, spacious parking lot
• Cafe/juice shops with a Kabira Bay-view terrace: several cafes where you can enjoy southern juice and gelato while gazing at Kabira Bay. Products using Ishigaki-grown fruit are popular

Kabira Bay has various ways of enjoying it—superb-view appreciation from the observation deck, glass boat, activities and gourmet—all in one place, a spot where you can spend a leisurely half day to a day. For those visiting Ishigaki for the first time and for repeaters who’ve visited many times alike, Kabira Bay is a place you could call the “face” of Ishigaki, showing a new expression each time. Be sure to plan it at the center of your trip.