Taiwan to Ishigaki (Okinawa) Ferry 2025｜Keelung Route Status & Travel Guide

The long-awaited ferry trip from Taiwan to Ishigaki Island (Okinawa) is about to start in mid-September! The ship, called YAIMA MARU, will operate about three times a month, bringing Taiwan and Ishigaki closer than ever.

What Was Announced
Quick Status Check
Experiences on board?
Arrival Tips
Sources

What Was Announced

Detail	What Was Reported
Route	Keelung ⇔ Ishigaki
Operator	YaimaLine (YAIMA MARU)
Frequency	Planned 3 times per week (Tue / Thu / Sun)
Schedule	Departures around 23:00–00:00, arrival ~07:30 next morning (approx. 5 hrs)
Launch Window	Originally Sept 2025 → Postponed to mid-Sept / Oct 2025

The vessel can carry about 545 passengers, and vehicles can also be loaded on board.

The schedule and ticket prices have not yet been finalized.
Based on the announcement and other ferry operations, sailings are expected to depart late at night and arrive in Ishigaki the following morning.

Quick Status Check

Route	Status (Sept 2025)
Keelung ⇔ Ishigaki	Announced, launch delayed to mid-Sept / Oct 2025
Keelung ⇔ Ishigaki	Announced, planned 3 sailings/month from Sept 2025

Experiences on board?

There’s even talk of live music and magic shows on the ferry.

It’s probably just empty talk to make the route seem more appealing—so don’t expect it to actually happen on the short overnight voyage.

That said, this new route doesn’t need any extra gimmicks. The very fact you can sail overnight from Taiwan to Ishigaki Island is already an exciting enough experience.

Arrival Tips

When you arrive on Ishigaki Island, it’s time to start exploring! Here are a few great places to check out first.

Please also see our article introducing the small islands around Ishigaki Island.

Islands You Can Visit by Ferry from Ishigaki｜Guide to Iriomote, Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima & Hatoma

Kabira Bay (川平湾)

Famous for turquoise waters and glass-bottom boats. A UNESCO World Heritage candidate and one of Japan’s top scenic bays. Map
Taketomi Island Just 10 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki. Known for traditional red-roof houses, buffalo carts, and quiet sandy lanes. Map
Iriomote Island A paradise for eco-tourism. Dense mangroves, waterfalls, and the chance to spot the rare Iriomote wildcat.
Map
Local Food
- Yaeyama soba: lighter and softer than Okinawa soba.
  Map
- Onisasa (オニササ): Ishigaki’s quirky snack—fried chicken fillet pressed onto a rice ball. Map
- Ishigaki beef: premium wagyu, often served grilled or in sushi. Map

While flights from Tainan are convenient, taking the ferry offers a unique travel experience.

From Ishigaki, you can easily explore the outlying islands, continue on to Okinawa’s main island, and then travel north through Kagoshima before reaching Osaka or Tokyo by land.

For the return, flying back to Taiwan provides a fast and comfortable finish.

To discover more about the YAIMA MARU ferry, check out the article below:
👉 Ishigaki–Taiwan Ferry “YAIMA MARU”｜Route & Travel Guide