How Do You Stay Safe on Ishigaki? Typhoons, the Sea and Emergency Numbers

Published 2026-10-04 · Sources checked 2026-10-04 · Treasure Hunting Co., Ltd.

This guide is for visitors who want to know what to do if something goes wrong on Ishigaki. It covers typhoons, the emergency numbers, help when you are sick, venomous snakes and sea life, and where the city opens shelters during a typhoon.

We used the Ishigaki City Tourism Exchange Association, the official Okinawa travel site run by the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). All pages were read on 2026-10-04. This guide is not an emergency plan. In an emergency, follow the instructions of the authorities.

Emergency numbers

• 119, fire and ambulance. JNTO says to call 119 for a fire, and when someone is seriously sick or injured.
• 110, the police. For a traffic accident or a crime.
• 118, the Japan Coast Guard. OCVB says to call 118 if you see or are involved in an accident at sea.
• Japan Visitor Hotline. JNTO runs this line in English, Chinese and Korean, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 050-3816-2787.

OCVB also recommends buying travel insurance that covers medical costs. It says some policies can be bought after you arrive in Japan.

Typhoon season on Ishigaki

The Ishigaki City Tourism Exchange Association says many typhoons come near Ishigaki from early summer to early autumn, roughly late June to October. Its page gives this advice if one reaches the island during your stay:

• While a warning is in force, supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants may close. Buy water and food before the warning.
• Prepare a flashlight. Power cuts, water cuts and evacuation orders can happen.
• Flights and boats to the other islands are cancelled when a typhoon approaches. Boats may stay cancelled after it passes, because the waves remain high.

OCVB adds that you should stay away from beaches and the sea during a typhoon. Stay inside until the warning is lifted, even if the wind seems to drop. Do not drive or take taxis in strong wind unless you must.

Shelters during a typhoon

The association says Ishigaki City uses two buildings as temporary shelters when a typhoon hits. One is the Ishigaki City Health and Welfare Center. The other is a community exchange facility that also serves as a welfare shelter.

The opening rules for each shelter are on the city's disaster page. Check them before you need them. Ask your accommodation which shelter is closest.

Venomous snakes

OCVB says there are three kinds of venomous habu snake in Okinawa: habu, hime habu and sakishima habu. They live in grassland and forest. They are most active from March to October, but it is generally uncommon to meet one.

If you see one, move away and keep at least 1.5 meters between you. OCVB says habu cannot jump. If you are bitten, stay calm and do not run. Get to a hospital by car, call 119, or walk slowly to help.

Sea life and sun

OCVB says box jellyfish are usually seen in Okinawa between May and October. They can be in water only 50 centimeters deep. If stung, leave the water and pour vinegar on the tentacles. Do not rub.

For other stings, the first aid is different. OCVB says never use vinegar on a Portuguese man-of-war sting; rinse with seawater instead. Wear marine shoes, and swim only in designated areas.

The sun is strong all year. OCVB suggests sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a rash guard. Drink water and take in enough salt to avoid heatstroke.

Earthquakes and tsunami

JNTO's safety tips say the Japan Meteorological Agency issues a tsunami warning about three minutes after an earthquake if it expects damage. Start evacuating when there is strong shaking, or weak shaking that lasts a long time. Go to higher ground and stay there until the warning is cancelled.

What we could not verify, and therefore left out

• The addresses of the two typhoon shelters, and when they open. The details are on the city's page, which we did not read.
• Which hospitals on Ishigaki can treat visitors in English.
• Whether 110, 118 and 119 calls are answered in English.
• Which of the three habu snakes live on Ishigaki. OCVB's page covers Okinawa as a whole.

Related guides

• How do you get to Ishigaki and take a ferry to the other Yaeyama Islands?
• What is Kabira Bay, and where can you swim on Ishigaki?

Sources

All URLs retrieved 2026-10-04.

1. During typhoons (Ishigaki City Tourism Exchange Association, in Japanese) — (season; shops may close; supplies; cancellations; shelters)
2. Typhoon Precautions in Okinawa - VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN (Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau) — (stay away from the sea; stay inside; driving)
3. Enjoying Okinawa Safely - VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN — (habu; 118; jellyfish; sun and heatstroke)
4. In Case of Illness and Injury - VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN — (119; travel insurance)
5. For safe travels in Japan - Guide for when you are feeling ill (Japan National Tourism Organization) — (119 and 110; Japan Visitor Hotline)
6. Safety tips for travelers (Japan National Tourism Organization) — (tsunami warnings)