Private Tour
Spirit of Ishigaki: private tour with an English native speaker
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Experience Ishigaki Through Storytelling, Culture & Nature (Private Tour*)
I’m a native English speaker who’s created a home here on Ishigaki.
My tours focus on helping you truly understand the island — its culture, plant life, wildlife, geology, and the stories that connect them all.
My strength is clear, engaging storytelling that brings each place to life. You won’t just see Ishigaki — you’ll learn the meaning behind what you’re seeing.
While I provide a sample itinerary, every tour is fully customized to your interests starting with the pickup location of your choosing: famous sights, hidden local spots, sacred places, or nature-focused routes.
Your time here is limited, so I’ll make sure every stop feels meaningful, informative, and personal.
*This tour is private unless otherwise specified or agreed upon as semi-private.
** the itinerary listed acts as a general list of areas in which we can visit for your convenience to choose from.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave
listen to the history of this place and see natural minerals and their formation over time
A wonderful spot where you meet Ishigaki's famous pineapple queen. She will serve you two variations of pineapples, fresh cut from her farm. These pineapples represent the verities that can be found here on Ishigaki. You can take them to go, or you can eat them there while enjoying the nice view of the ocean.
What‘s Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Meals
Alcoholic Beverages
Options
Spirit of Ishigaki: private tour with an English native speaker
Pickup included
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing tour with Steph
Sandy L,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Steph was great on our Ishigaki tour. It was a semi-private tour for 4 people. Steph talked about the history of Okinawa and took us to a few tourist spots. Due to holidays in Japan, certain places (including a good restaurant that would serve Ishigaki beef) were not opened. This is not Steph’s fault and Steph would make it up with other options. Steph did a wonderful job to make sure our requests were accommodated with the limited time that we had. Steph managed the time very well to avoid the crowd from other tourist groups. Even with the good planning, the tour was longer than expected but Steph did not mind this at all. I would recommend Steph (Stephanie) Chen as a tour guide if anyone is visiting Ishigaki.
Windswept Ishigaki
paul k,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Visited Ishigaki on Jan 2 with my wife, picked up by Steph in a people carrier with another couple from cruise ship. Weather was pretty awful, cold , very windy and some rain which meant some of the intended itinerary had to be changed. Given the circumstances Steph made a valiant effort to make our trip as pleasurable as possible. She planned a good visit, we saw plenty of the island, quite alot of driving but frankly glad to be out of the wind and cold. You need a guide on Ishigaki to see it , no real center or focal point but small island so easy to get around, no traffic. saw some dramatic scenery, lighthouse , Shisa park, could not do glass bottom boat due to weather or Pineapple lady but plenty of other sights to see. i imagine in summer its beautiful with fabulous beaches and even when we went the turquoise sea is amazing . in summer take Mosquito spray. Well done Steph it very trying conditions.
An Unforgettable Local Experience
Marquia G,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I had an absolutely fantastic experience with Stephanie. She expertly customised my tour based on my interests and demonstrated a deep, authentic understanding of the local culture. Her genuine appreciation for the island's history made the day truly special. Thanks to her, I felt I experienced Ishigaki through the eyes of a local—an unforgettable way to connect with the destination. I couldn't recommend her more highly.
Perfect day at Ishigaki with Stéphanie !
delphinec2026,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing day with Stéphanie ! She was so sweet, considering all our needs and demands ! She knows the island so well, it was such a pleasure to discover the best spots with her. She picked us at our hotel, took us to a nice cofee shop and we planed the day together since the weather was exceptionaly windy and almost cold. We had a very nice and delicious lunch in a local restaurant at the end of the tour. Everything in the island is really breathtaking… It was a perfect day. Thank you Stéphanie !
The Best of Ishigaki
Lori K,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Stephanie was a wonderful tour guide. Even though the weather didn't cooperate at all times Stephanie arranged sites that were incredible. My husband and I wanted to explore the history and culture of Ishigaki and that is exactly what she provided. We have mobility issues and Stephanie was incredibly helpful. She even took us to a book store so I could purchase a book about Ishigaki and its history. If I could give her a 10 star review I would. She exceeded all expectations.
THE BEST 10/10
pppprrrrrrr,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We could not have asked for a better tour guide. We have never had a tour guide so passionate and thorough. You can instantly tell how passionate she is not only of her job but the island. She loves the island so much and will make sure you fall in love with it as much as her by the end of the tour. She know the island so well from ecology to its history. She is pleasant and funny too. You can either follow her plan if you have no idea what you’re doing or if you have specific places and things you want to see, she will definitely cater to your needs, she is very accommodating and considerate. Some of the many things we did with her: She took us to the Yarabudake mountain - it offered the best private views of the island. We went to Oganzeki lighthouse - we felt like we were at the edge of the world. She also took us to Banya bakery for a little tour break for some delicious pastries while we sat and watched the ocean. We truly felt like we were experiencing the island as locals! 10/10 we loved Stephanie!
Excellent English-speaking Ishigaki Tour Guide
thepenster,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Terrific Ishigaki tour guide — knowledgeable about the island’s culture, history, stories, nature, fascinating insights & unique hidden gems. Steph is a native English speaker who customized the tour to our interests. Her flexibility and thoughtful planning is perfect for all ages. She showed us secret scenic spots & local eateries, creating an unforgettable experience. We highly recommend Steph — a genuinely passionate and exceptional guide in Ishigaki.
Steph was really...
Judith O,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Steph was really great! The tour was super informative and so much more personal than the usual 08/15 offers. She was fully responsive to my interests, and it almost felt like I was out with a friend. For those looking for something special – highly recommended!
Excellent English-speaking Ishigaki Tour Guide
Penny C,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Ishigaki guide was fantastic — knowledgeable about the island’s culture, history, stories, nature, fascinating insights & unique hidden gems. Steph is a native English speaker who customized the tour to our interests. Her flexibility and thoughtful planning is perfect for all ages. She showed us secret scenic spots & local eateries, creating an unforgettable experience. We highly recommend Steph — a genuinely passionate and exceptional guide in Ishigaki.
An amazing experience discovering Ishigaki with a fantastic guide
nogaroe2025,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Exploring Ishigaki with Steph was an amazing experience. We couldn't climb steep places and she was very considerate. She organized a great tour according to our needs. We learned a lot about Ishigaki's history and culture. Steph explained so many fascinating things about the places we visited, including the animals and plants we saw on the way. With Steph, we had a wonderful time discovering this beautiful place and the local history of Kerama Islands. If we come back to Ishigaki, we will book her tour again !
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