石垣島・八重山諸島 – 英語で説明するために – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Hey Key, have you ever thought about visiting the Yaeyama Islands? I’ve been reading about Ishigaki Island and it sounds amazing.

Exactly. It’s in the far southwest of Japan, actually closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan. The airport in Ishigaki makes it pretty easy to get there.

So much! For starters, there’s Kabira Bay. People say the water is so clear you can see the coral and fish even from a glass-bottom boat.

Definitely. Not just snorkeling—diving is also popular, especially around Ishigaki and Iriomote. Iriomote Island itself is covered in jungle and mangroves.

Yeah! It was registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2021. They have some rare animals, like the Iriomote wild cat, which you can’t find anywhere else.

For sure. They also have river cruises, like on the Urauchi River, where you can see mangrove forests and hike to waterfalls like Maryudo and Kanpire.

Yeah, every island seems to have its own traditions. Taketomi Island, for example, has traditional villages with red-tiled roofs, water buffalo carts, and old folk music.

Absolutely. And the food looks great too—like Ishigaki beef and Yaeyama soba. Apparently, the seafood is super fresh as well.

Yes! Hateruma is Japan’s southernmost inhabited island. The beach called Nishihama has this “Hateruma Blue” water, and you can sometimes see the Southern Cross in the night sky.

You’re right. Yonaguni is the westernmost island in Japan and is famous for its mysterious underwater structures. Divers from all over the world go there.

And what I really like is that the islands are easy to get around. Ferries connect Ishigaki with the other islands, so you can do island hopping pretty easily.

Most people say late March to early June or September to early December. That’s when the weather is good, not too hot, and there are fewer typhoons.

Right. But even in winter, it’s warmer than most places in Japan, though the sea gets a bit cool.

Honestly, I want to see Kabira Bay and try the Urauchi River cruise, but I also want to experience Taketomi’s traditional village life.

Location and Islands
Ishigaki Island and the Yaeyama Islands are in the far southwest of Japan, in Okinawa Prefecture. These islands are close to Taiwan, and much further from mainland Japan. The Yaeyama Islands include Ishigaki, Iriomote, Taketomi, Yonaguni, Kohama, Hateruma, and some other small islands. Ishigaki is the main island and has an airport, so it is easy to visit from big cities in Japan.

Beautiful Nature and Activities
The Yaeyama Islands are famous for their beautiful blue seas, white sandy beaches, and coral reefs. Iriomote Island is covered with jungle and mangrove forests. Many people enjoy snorkeling, diving, and swimming in the clear sea. You can also try jungle trekking, river cruises, or cycling on quiet roads. At night, the sky is very dark, so you can see many stars.

Culture and Local Life
Each island has its own traditional culture and events. For example, on Taketomi Island, you can see red-tiled houses and ride on a water buffalo cart. Local people are friendly and keep their old customs. The food is also special, such as Ishigaki beef, Yaeyama soba noodles, and fresh seafood. Many tourists visit to enjoy the slow and relaxing island lifestyle.

Best Season to Visit
The best time to visit the Yaeyama Islands is from late March to early June and from September to early December. During these months, the weather is nice and there are fewer typhoons. The islands are warm all year, so you can enjoy them any time.

Hey Key, have you ever thought about visiting the Yaeyama Islands? I’ve been reading about Ishigaki Island and it sounds amazing.

ねえキー、八重山諸島に行ってみたいと思ったことある？石垣島について調べてたんだけど、すごく魅力的なんだよ。

Exactly. It’s in the far southwest of Japan, actually closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan. The airport in Ishigaki makes it pretty easy to get there.

そうそう。日本の一番南西にあって、実は本土より台湾の方が近いんだ。石垣には空港があるから、行くのもけっこう簡単なんだよ。

So much! For starters, there’s Kabira Bay. People say the water is so clear you can see the coral and fish even from a glass-bottom boat.

見どころたくさんあるよ！まず川平湾とか。水がすごく透明で、グラスボートからでもサンゴや魚が見えるって言われてるんだ。

Definitely. Not just snorkeling—diving is also popular, especially around Ishigaki and Iriomote. Iriomote Island itself is covered in jungle and mangroves.

もちろん！シュノーケリングだけじゃなくて、ダイビングも人気なんだ。特に石垣や西表のあたりは。西表島自体はジャングルとマングローブにおおわれてるんだって。

Yeah! It was registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2021. They have some rare animals, like the Iriomote wild cat, which you can’t find anywhere else.

そうそう！2021年にユネスコの世界自然遺産に登録されたんだ。イリオモテヤマネコとか、他では見られない珍しい動物もいるんだよ。

For sure. They also have river cruises, like on the Urauchi River, where you can see mangrove forests and hike to waterfalls like Maryudo and Kanpire.

間違いないよ。それに、浦内川みたいな川をクルーズするツアーもあって、マングローブ林を見たり、マリュドゥやカンピレーの滝までハイキングしたりできるんだ。

Yeah, every island seems to have its own traditions. Taketomi Island, for example, has traditional villages with red-tiled roofs, water buffalo carts, and old folk music.

うん、どの島にも独自の伝統が残ってるみたい。例えば竹富島は、赤瓦の家や水牛車、昔ながらの民謡も体験できるんだって。

Absolutely. And the food looks great too—like Ishigaki beef and Yaeyama soba. Apparently, the seafood is super fresh as well.

まさにそう！食べ物もすごくおいしそうで、石垣牛とか八重山そばとか。新鮮な魚介類もめちゃくちゃ美味しいらしいよ。

Yes! Hateruma is Japan’s southernmost inhabited island. The beach called Nishihama has this “Hateruma Blue” water, and you can sometimes see the Southern Cross in the night sky.

うん、そうだよ！波照間は日本の最南端の有人島で、ニシ浜っていうビーチが“ハテルマブルー”の海で有名なんだ。夜には南十字星も見えることがあるんだよ。

You’re right. Yonaguni is the westernmost island in Japan and is famous for its mysterious underwater structures. Divers from all over the world go there.

その通り。与那国は日本最西端の島で、謎の海底遺跡が有名なんだ。世界中のダイバーが潜りに来るんだよ。

And what I really like is that the islands are easy to get around. Ferries connect Ishigaki with the other islands, so you can do island hopping pretty easily.

しかも島同士の移動が簡単なのがいいんだよ。石垣からフェリーが出てて、アイランドホッピングも気軽にできるんだ。

Most people say late March to early June or September to early December. That’s when the weather is good, not too hot, and there are fewer typhoons.

多くの人は3月下旬から6月初め、それから9月から12月初めがいいって言ってるよ。天気が良くて暑すぎず、台風も少ない時期なんだ。

Right. But even in winter, it’s warmer than most places in Japan, though the sea gets a bit cool.

そう。でも冬でも本州よりずっと暖かいし、ただ海はちょっと冷たくなるくらいかな。

Honestly, I want to see Kabira Bay and try the Urauchi River cruise, but I also want to experience Taketomi’s traditional village life.

正直、まず川平湾を見て浦内川クルーズも体験したいし、竹富島の伝統的な集落も味わってみたいな。

Location and Islands
Ishigaki Island and the Yaeyama Islands are in the far southwest of Japan, in Okinawa Prefecture. These islands are close to Taiwan, and much further from mainland Japan. The Yaeyama Islands include Ishigaki, Iriomote, Taketomi, Yonaguni, Kohama, Hateruma, and some other small islands. Ishigaki is the main island and has an airport, so it is easy to visit from big cities in Japan.

石垣島と八重山諸島は、日本の最南西部、沖縄県にあります。これらの島々は台湾に近く、日本本土からはかなり離れています。八重山諸島には、石垣島、西表島、竹富島、与那国島、小浜島、波照間島、その他の小さな島が含まれます。石垣島は中心の島で空港があり、日本の大都市からもアクセスが便利です。

Beautiful Nature and Activities
The Yaeyama Islands are famous for their beautiful blue seas, white sandy beaches, and coral reefs. Iriomote Island is covered with jungle and mangrove forests. Many people enjoy snorkeling, diving, and swimming in the clear sea. You can also try jungle trekking, river cruises, or cycling on quiet roads. At night, the sky is very dark, so you can see many stars.

八重山諸島は、美しい青い海、白い砂浜、サンゴ礁で有名です。西表島はジャングルとマングローブ林に覆われています。多くの人が澄んだ海でシュノーケリングやダイビング、水泳を楽しみます。ジャングルトレッキングや川のクルーズ、静かな道でのサイクリングも体験できます。夜には空がとても暗く、たくさんの星が見えます。

Culture and Local Life
Each island has its own traditional culture and events. For example, on Taketomi Island, you can see red-tiled houses and ride on a water buffalo cart. Local people are friendly and keep their old customs. The food is also special, such as Ishigaki beef, Yaeyama soba noodles, and fresh seafood. Many tourists visit to enjoy the slow and relaxing island lifestyle.

それぞれの島には、独自の伝統文化や行事があります。例えば、竹富島では赤瓦の家や水牛車を見ることができます。地元の人々は親しみやすく、昔ながらの風習を守っています。食べ物も特別で、石垣牛や八重山そば、新鮮な魚介類などがあります。多くの観光客が、ゆっくりとした島の生活を楽しむために訪れます。

Best Season to Visit
The best time to visit the Yaeyama Islands is from late March to early June and from September to early December. During these months, the weather is nice and there are fewer typhoons. The islands are warm all year, so you can enjoy them any time.

八重山諸島を訪れるベストシーズンは、3月下旬から6月初め、9月から12月初めです。この時期は天気が良く、台風も少ないです。島々は一年中温暖なので、いつでも楽しむことができます。