Livability Report
IshigakiLivability Score
Okinawa·Pop. 47,673
Ishigaki City is on Ishigaki Island in the Yaeyama region of Okinawa Prefecture, and the city's port plan positions Ishigaki Port as the logistics and production hub port supporting life and industry across the region. As the Hello Work Yaeyama office covers Ishigaki City, Taketomi Town and Yonaguni Town, the city supports daily life on the surrounding islands. Farming produces sugarcane, beef cattle and subtropical fruit, and the official relocation guide explains that tourism businesses such as hotels and restaurants for visitors tend to be numerous. Many buildings are sturdy concrete structures built for typhoons, and April 24 is Ishigaki Citizens' Disaster Prevention Day, named after the Meiwa tsunami of 1771.
Published 2026-04-21 · Article updated 2026-10-27 · Data updated 2026-10-20
Where in Japan
Overall Score
34.6
48.2
53.3
42.9
39.1- ※ Retail and restaurant figures are per resident and include shops serving tourists
* These scores are based on statistical analysis of public data and do not represent a definitive assessment of any area. Actual livability varies depending on individual values and lifestyle.
5-axis scores
Safety34.6Cost48.2Convenience53.3Welfare42.9Economy39.1Basic Information
Population
47,673
Prefecture
Okinawa
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
The Hub Port Town of the Yaeyama Islands
Yuki
How does Ishigaki relate to the islands around it?
Alex
If I move to the island, how do belongings and everyday goods get here?
Yuki
What are the town's industries and buildings like?
Kai
The city's port plan describes Ishigaki Port as the logistics and production hub supporting life and industry in the Yaeyama region. Hamasaki-cho is the base for the route to Okinawa's main island, and Misaki-cho and Tonoshiro for outer-island routes. Ferries to Taketomi Town also carry residents visiting for hospital trips and shopping, and Hello Work Yaeyama covers all three municipalities.
Crime Figures and Where to Get Help
Alex
What do the safety figures actually look like?
Yuki
Where are these offenses counted, and whose population divides them?
Alex
Where in the city can I turn for help when something goes wrong?
Kai
In the municipal table of the Okinawa Prefectural Police's 2025 crime statistics, Ishigaki City recorded 413 penal code offenses in 2025, or 8.66 per 1,000 residents, higher than the median of Japan's major municipalities. A lower rate is better for daily life. The prefecture was 7.28 per 1,000, and the reason for the gap cannot be determined.
Land Prices, Rent and Island-Specific Costs
Alex
What does housing cost in terms of land prices and rent?
Yuki
What support does the city offer for finding a home?
Alex
Besides rent, are there extra costs that come with island life?
Kai
The simple average of residential points in the 2026 official land price survey is 72,767 yen per square meter, an average level among Japan's major municipalities. Average rent for rented homes in the 2023 Housing and Land Survey is 51,150 yen a month, also average. Land prices average survey points and rent averages all rentals, so individual properties differ.
Airport, Port and Shops
Alex
How many people use public transport to commute or go to school?
Yuki
What are the routes to and from the island?
Alex
Can I get everyday shopping done within the city?
Kai
In the 2020 census, 0.86% of people used rail or bus to commute or attend school, so public transport use is lower than the median of Japan's major municipalities. The official access guide lists airport route buses to the city center, a domestic terminal taxi stand and a rental car counter. The transport plan lists on-demand transport under study.
Medical Facilities, Childbirth, Schools and Child Support
Alex
How many hospitals and clinics are there relative to the population?
Yuki
How is the island prepared for childbirth and children's sudden illness?
Alex
What about the number of schools and the child support offices?
Kai
The 2023 medical facilities survey counts 3 hospitals and 30 general clinics, 6.92 per 10,000 residents, lower than the median of Japan's major municipalities; per-population figures omit departments and access. The prefectural plan lists Yaeyama Hospital as Yaeyama's emergency hospital, and a prefectural program secures doctors and nurses to accompany seriously ill patients transferred from outer islands.
Taxable Income, Net Migration and Job Services
Alex
What do the figures say about workers' incomes?
Yuki
Were there more people moving in or moving out?
Alex
What services and support are there for finding work on the island?
Kai
In the 2025 municipal tax survey, taxable income per taxpayer is 3,134,252 yen, lower than the median of Japan's major municipalities. The character of local industry comes from separate sources: the relocation FAQ explains that tourism businesses tend to be numerous, and the Okinawa General Bureau material lists farming such as sugarcane, beef cattle and subtropical fruit.
Registered Population and Who Actually Lives Here
Yuki
What does the residency rate measure?
Alex
From the housing side, what is the situation with vacant homes?
Kai
The residency rate divides the census population by the resident register population. Ishigaki City had a 2025 census population of 47,673 and a resident register population of 49,485 as of January 1, 2026, a residency rate of 96.34%, lower than the median of Japan's major municipalities but not used in the five axis scores.
Who this city suits
Families with children
Yaeyama Hospital is a regional perinatal medical center, and the city guides families to a children's health and online consultation app and a holiday and night pediatric phone service. Points to watch: medical facilities are at a lower level at 6.92 per 10,000 residents, and with 32 schools at an average density per habitable area, check school distances in advance.
Young singles
Average rent for rented homes is 51,150 yen a month, an average level, and retail and dining establishments per 1,000 residents are at a higher level. Points to watch: 0.86% of people commute by public transport, and while airport route buses and taxis exist, budget for getting around, including shipping a car and its tendency to rust in the sea air.
Seniors
The prefectural medical plan lists Yaeyama Hospital as the emergency hospital for Yaeyama, and there is the #7119 line for when you are unsure whether to call an ambulance and a prefectural program with doctors and nurses accompanying transfers of seriously ill patients from outer islands. Points to watch: medical facilities per population are at a lower level and the mix of departments is not in the figures, so confirm candidate family doctors through official information.
Remote workers
The usual way to move is to send belongings to the island by air or sea freight for delivery, and the official FAQ notes online orders may carry shipping fees. Points to watch: Ishigaki Airport is linked by air to Naha and Yonaguni airports and the port has a base for the regular route to Okinawa's main island, so plan routes and costs for off-island trips around how often work requires them.
Disaster risk and hazard maps
Ishigaki City's Disaster Prevention Map shows hazard sites including tsunami hazard zones and sediment disaster hazard zones, along with evacuation sites and evacuation actions, and the web hazard map also publishes storm surge and flooding maps. The tsunami hazard zones were designated by Okinawa Prefecture on March 27, 2018, and the city explains that flooding can occur outside the zones because of differences from the calculation conditions. Sediment disaster hazard zones are designated by the prefecture as areas at risk from cliff collapse or debris flows. The revised port plan includes an earthquake-resistant quay for transporting daily necessities in emergencies. Check down to the individual street-address level with the city's official maps and the GSI overlay hazard map.
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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 8.66 | 2025 |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 72,767 | 2026 |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 51,150 | 2023 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 0.9 | 2020 |
| Retail Establishments | 561 | 2021 |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 11.77 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments | 459 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 9.63 | 2021 |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | 96.3 | 2025 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 6.92 | 2023 |
| Hospitals | 3 | 2023 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.63 | 2023 |
| Clinics | 30 | 2023 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 6.29 | 2023 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 32 | 2024 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.671 | 2024 |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | 0.291 | 2024 |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | 3,134,252 | 2025 |
| Net Migration | -252 | 2025 |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | -0.53 | 2025 |
| Total Population | 47,673 | 2025 |
| crime_count | 413 | 2025 |
| crime_count_pref | 10,677 | 2025 |
| crime_rate_pref_per_1000 | 7 | 2025 |
| habitable_area_km2 | 110 | 2024 |
| resident_registry_population | 49,485 | 2026 |
- ※ Retail and restaurant figures are per resident and include shops serving tourists
Data sources
| Indicator | Source | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Reported penal code offenses by municipalityOkinawa Prefectural Police | 2025 | Counted where offenses occur; per 1,000 uses the 2025 census population |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | Official land prices (National Land Numerical Information L01)Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism | 2026 | Residential sites only; simple average of sites |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 2023 Housing and Land SurveyStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2023 | Monthly rent of rented housing; next survey in 2028 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 2020 Population Census (means of commuting)Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2020 | To be updated when the 2025 census commuting tables are published |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next survey in 2026 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next survey in 2026 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | Survey of Medical Institutions (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | 2023 | Hospitals and clinics combined |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | School Basic Survey and habitable area (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)MEXT and Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2024 | Elementary, junior high and high schools per habitable km² |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | Survey on municipal tax assessmentMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Taxable income per taxpayer |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | Report on Internal MigrationStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | Census population ÷ resident register populationMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Resident register population as of January 1, 2026 |
Sources (39)
- Ishigaki City: Relocation and Settlement Support Council
- Ishigaki City: U-turn Support Program
- Ishigaki City: Children and Families Center
- Ishigaki City: Child and Child-Rearing Support Plan
- Ishigaki City: Child Medical Expense Subsidy
- Ishigaki City: List of Consultations
- Ishigaki City: List of Consultation Desks
- Ishigaki City: Learning from the Meiwa Tsunami
- Ishigaki City: Ishigaki Port Plan (Revised)
- Ishigaki City: Regional Public Transport materials
- Okinawa General Bureau: Effects on Agriculture in the Ishigaki Island District
- Okinawa Prefectural Police: 2025 Crime Statistics
- Ishigaki City: Vacant House Countermeasures Plan
- MHLW Birth Navi: Okinawa Prefectural Yaeyama Hospital
- Ishigaki City: Disaster Prevention Map (1)
- Ishigaki City: Web Hazard Map, disaster selection
- Ishigaki City: Vacant House Bank
- Ishigaki official relocation site: FAQ
- Ishigaki official relocation site: Housing
- Ishigaki official relocation site: Steps to Relocation
- Ishigaki official relocation site: Living
- Ishigaki official relocation site: Access
- Ishigaki City: Outline of the Revised Ishigaki Port Plan, 2024
- Okinawa Prefecture: Emergency Medical Care Day and Week (2026)
- Okinawa Prefecture: 8th Medical Plan, Chapter 5 Section 2
- Okinawa Labor Bureau: Hello Work Yaeyama
- Ishigaki City: Municipal Housing Information
- Ishigaki City: Traffic Safety and Crime Prevention
- Okinawa Prefecture: Tsunami Hazard Zones in Ishigaki City
- Ishigaki City Web Hazard Map: terms of use and assumptions
- e-Stat 2025 Population Census, basic tabulation (0004065881)
- e-Stat 2023 Housing and Land Survey, rent of rented homes (0004021452)
- e-Stat 2020 Population Census, means of transport (0003454513)
- e-Stat 2021 Economic Census for Business Activity (0004005684)
- e-Stat System of Social and Demographic Statistics, medical facilities (0000020209)
- e-Stat System of Social and Demographic Statistics, schools and habitable area (0000020205)
- e-Stat Report on Internal Migration (0003419945)
- National Land Numerical Information, official land prices L01 (MLIT)
- MIC survey of municipal tax assessment
Data years: mainly 2025 (2020–2026 by indicator)
Published 2026-04-21 · Article updated 2026-10-27 · Data updated 2026-10-20