Published date: December 8, 2025
Snorkeling with Nemo! A trip to Ishigaki that feels just like a foreign resort
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Experience of the stay
I stayed at Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas through HafH! It is rated as Ishigaki Island's No. 1 resort luxury hotel.
We booked a superior twin room (with breakfast and dinner included) through HafH. Both dinner and breakfast were buffets. I stayed three nights in Ishigaki (the first two nights were spent at Hotel Miyahira near the Ishigaki Ferry Terminal, where I also did some sightseeing on Taketomi Island, stories about that are also uploaded, so if you're interested, please take a look!). We enjoyed snorkeling in the sea.
Access is by bus from the Ishigaki Bus Terminal located directly in front of the ferry terminal. It takes about 25 minutes to arrive at the nearest bus stop, "Fusaki Beach Resort."
The first impression I got at the entrance was that it felt like a foreign resort. That feeling was confirmed when I reached the garden pool and beach. About half of the guests on the beach were foreign visitors, allowing us to enjoy the overseas resort atmosphere while in Japan.
Even though it was before check-in, we were able to use the pool and the beach, and towels, umbrellas, and beach chairs were free for guests.
After enjoying snorkeling, we checked in and went to our room.
We were assigned a room N319, which had high ceilings and felt spacious. Although the small balcony did not have an ocean view, it had a nice view of greenery.
The spa was larger than I expected, featuring saunas and cold baths, which were convenient for warming up after getting cold in the sea.
There are limited options available in the hotel's shop, including some bread, drinks, and cup noodles.
The meals were not overwhelmingly impressive but were tasty. I expected a course meal for dinner since the HafH consumption coins are high, but it was a buffet, which was honestly a bit disappointing... It would be appreciated if they reviewed the consumption coin numbers. (This applies generally to HafH; clearer communication regarding meal content would be nice.)
The night pool lighting was beautiful, and the walk after dinner was enjoyable!
In conclusion, I believe the reputation of Ishigaki's No. 1 hotel is well-deserved. (Especially the hard aspects of the facility are remarkable!) Although I felt some things were lacking, such as no welcome drink, a lounge that is easy to use, and the quality of the meals compared to the price… I was satisfied as it was a resort hotel I had long wanted to visit.
If you want to experience the luxury resort feel on Ishigaki Island, I definitely recommend making a reservation!
Experiences during the trip
I arrived at the hotel around 11:00 AM before check-in, so I enjoyed the garden pool and snorkeling. Guests are given a special wristband, which allows free access to towels and beach chairs.
I rented a life jacket and snorkeling gear for about 1,000 yen, and we swam in the sea. The swimming area, which is safe for small children, is marked off with buoys.
In the middle of the swimming area, there were corals with clownfish and colorful fish to see. It was fun, but compared to the freedom of snorkeling spots in Miyako Island, it felt less adventurous. However, it is perfect for families.
One thing to note about Ishigaki Island is that there are many crows on the beach, always looking for food. Be careful not to leave food in plastic bags unattended because crows will eat it if you go to the sea.
While playing around, it was time for check-in, so we headed to our room.
The room assigned in the North Wing building reminded me of my previous stay at Club Med Ishigaki.
After relaxing for a bit in the room, I decided to check out the spa, indoor pool, and gym. Since it is a luxury resort, I thought it would be a pity not to enjoy all the free areas! The indoor pool even had a small slide.
Dinner was a buffet at ISHIGAKI BOLD KITCHEN. I added an all-you-can-drink plan for awamori and around 20 different wines. The buffet offered a variety of dishes like shrimp chili and steak, but I especially enjoyed the eel hitsumabushi. The dessert chocolate fountain at the kids' corner was surprisingly authentic and delicious.
After dinner, I took a walk to the night pool, where glowing balls floated in the water, creating a fantastic atmosphere. I thought about having a drink at THE STAR BAR by the poolside, but I skipped it because I was too full.
The next morning, I could choose breakfast at either ISHIGAKI BOLD KITCHEN or Ryukyu Shintenchi, the same as yesterday. I decided to change it up and go to Ryukyu Shintenchi. It was pouring rain in the morning, so I requested a cart from the front desk. I had to wait about 20 minutes as the number of carts was limited.
Breakfast at Ryukyu Shintenchi was delicious, with seafood rice bowls and Okinawa local dishes. The Blue Seal ice cream was all-you-can-eat, which was wonderful when paired with freshly made sata andagi. I learned that the cart takes time, so I reserved one just before leaving, and smoothly returned to my room.
After checking out, I was supposed to take the free shuttle bus from Fusaki to the Ishigaki Island Art Hotel, a sister hotel, but due to a bus breakdown, the hotel staff drove me. The Ishigaki Island Art Hotel, where I stayed on the last day, was great, and I highly recommend it! (I'll upload another story about it later.)
I had long wanted to stay at Fusaki Beach Resort, and while it definitely is a wonderful hotel, considering the price, I felt a bit disappointed with the meal contents and services... Next time, I’d like to stay at the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Island, which is frequently compared to the Fusaki Beach Resort, and see the difference. However, I repeat, the facilities themselves really have a wonderful overseas atmosphere. Well then, have a great trip!