Ishigaki
ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
Family Adventures in Paradise: Our Getaway to Ishigaki, Japan 🇯🇵🌴
In April 2024, my husband, our 1.5-year-old son, and I escaped the Japanese mainland to the stunning island of Ishigaki, part of Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan. We took the train from Kyoto to Osaka Airport, which was very easy to manage instead of paying for a very expensive cab. We flew from Osaka and stayed at the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, which turned out to be a beautiful and family-friendly base for our island adventure.
ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
Once arrived at Ishigaki airport, we took a bus from the airport to our hotel. Driving time was not that long, and the bus station to the hotel was about a 10-minute walk. Our check-in was smooth, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel had already prepared everything we needed as parents traveling with a toddler: a baby cot, a diaper pail, and even a coin laundry is available at the hotel – a total lifesaver when traveling with little ones! Our room was spacious and beautifully kept, and we were greeted with a colorful fruit plate. Our son instantly fell in love with the local Ishigaki baby pineapple – sweet, tiny, and just the right size for toddler hands. At the lobby, a staff member created adorable balloon animals, which our son proudly carried everywhere.
Dining at the Hotel: Amazing Tuna for Breakfast and Toys for Toddlers
Breakfast at the resort was very well-organized. You’d sign up for the waitlist via an app, receive a notification, and then head down when your table was ready. You could choose between a Japanese or Western breakfast, and we mostly went for the Japanese set – our favorite! Grilled fish, pickled veggies, tamagoyaki, rice, soups, and even a bowl of fresh tuna with grated yam… everything was so flavorful and beautifully presented. Every morning, the staff greeted us warmly and promptly brought toys for our toddler to play with. It was such a great service and we were able to enjoy a little bit more relaxed breakfast!
The hotel also had several in-house restaurants, including a very fancy-looking Chinese restaurant, but the prices were on the high side. We opted twice for the buffet dinner, which was solid, though again not the most budget-friendly option.
Great pools and beautiful reefs
The hotel offers a variety of pools, excursions, and BBQ-themed dinners. We chose a snorkeling trip. Since our toddler couldn't join, we took turns: one of us went snorkeling while the other enjoyed time with him at the resort. On my snorkeling day, my husband stayed behind and took our son to the indoor pool, which had the perfect warm temperature. The next day, while my husband was out exploring the reef, our little one and I played at the beach and in the splash pad – he absolutely loved it!
Since we were traveling outside the peak season, the resort wasn’t very crowded – peaceful, but also meant fewer play opportunities or other kids around.
The snorkeling itself was incredible. Crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral, and a rainbow of sea life. I spotted clown and discus fish, while my husband even saw a sea snake. The experience was unforgettable and totally worth it.
Dinner and our Next Stop
In the evenings, dining options were more limited, as many local restaurants were closed due to the off-season. We did find a cozy local Okinawan restaurant, but dining out with a toddler wasn’t exactly peaceful – he decided to explore the entire restaurant, crawling and wobbling around while we tag-teamed our meal. 😅
On our final night, my husband was craving some pizza and decided to try Domino’s Japan. Honestly, I didn’t have high hopes – having tried Domino’s in Germany and Spain – but we were pleasantly surprised! My husband had a Quattro Formaggi pizza with mille-feuille dough – so flaky and cheesy. I tried a pizza rice bowl, and instantly regretted not discovering this earlier. It was rich, comforting, and full of flavor – a totally new twist on pizza! We enjoyed our Domino’s feast out on our room’s balcony, with live music playing from the hotel. The atmosphere was dreamy, and our son danced happily to the music – such a lovely moment.
Would We Return? Absolutely. The ANA Ishigaki Resort was clean, well-equipped for families, and set in such a gorgeous part of Japan. The beach, pool areas, and toddler-friendly staff made a real difference. It wasn’t always easy – traveling with a toddler never is – but the balance of relaxation and adventure made it totally worth it. At the airport, we tried the famous Okinawan Blue Seal Ice cream and headed for our next stop, which was Okinawa.🌺
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