Hirakubozaki Lighthouse

Hirakubozaki is the northernmost point of Ishigaki, at the end of the long, thin Hirakubo peninsula, about an hour's drive from town. A white lighthouse stands on the headland, and from the lookout beside it the sea opens on three sides: the reef shows as bands of turquoise and dark blue, and on a clear day small islands sit offshore.

It suits sessions that want space more than landmarks — grassy slopes, wind in hair and dresses, and nobody in the frame for long stretches. On the way north, the Tamatorizaki lookout shows the peninsula's narrow neck with water on both sides and is worth a stop for a second set of pictures.

The headland faces the open sea, so the wind is constant and can be strong; the light is best from late afternoon, when the low sun comes across the grass. There are few facilities this far north, and the road back is dark after sunset.