The only way to get to the island is by boat. Both Anei KankÅ and Yaeyama KankÅ Ferry run fast boats from Ishigaki to the dock on the east side of Taketomi every 30 minutes from 7:30AM to 5:30PM daily. The trip takes just 10 minutes and costs ¥580/1,100 one-way/return, there is little if anything to distinguish the two operators but Yaeyama has a few more services daily.
The very dedicated penny-pincher may opt for the Yaeyama Kanko slow cargo boat instead, which takes 30 minutes for the trip and costs ¥430, a savings of a whopping ¥150. The only problem is that the slow boat runs only twice per week, at time of writing on Monday and Thursday at 2:10PM, so this is not a very practical alternative.
