Shogo Ishii | Iriomote Island Guide | ADVENTURE PiPi Nice to meet you. I'm Shogo!

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I took my first trip to Iriomote Island in early December. I had hoped to join a snorkeling tour, but unfortunately, strong winds prevented us from getting in the water. That’s when the staff at Pi Pi recommended a mangrove kayaking tour via LINE. It turned out to be an amazing experience for us—especially for my daughter, who loves everything from tiny creatures to large animals. While enjoying the kayaking, she was able to learn about the small creatures that inhabit the mangrove forest. Our guide, Shogo, was very kind and friendly, and he was also very knowledgeable. Since he speaks English, it was easy for my daughter to ask questions, and she was able to learn about the mangrove forest and its ecological importance. It was a truly special time for both of us. Thank you, Shogo and Pi Pi, for the wonderful service. If you ever visit Iriomote Island, I highly recommend Pi Pi’s services.

In conclusion, I'm extremely satisfied.
I booked a full-day tour that includes mangrove canoeing and snorkeling at Baras Island.
As of the day before, the trip to Barasu Island was changed to either Yufu Island or snorkeling from the beach due to weather conditions, so I chose the snorkeling option from the beach.
It was helpful that the tour included ferry tickets and provided weather-dependent alternatives, such as bus tickets from Ohara Port in case the ferry arriving at Uehara Port was canceled.

Both in the morning and in the afternoon, Shogo and Kokko served as our guides as a team of two.
It had rained early in the morning, so it was completely overcast when the tour started, with a temperature of around 20°C. We were a little worried about the weather, but the overcast skies actually made the mangrove forest feel even more like a jungle, which made the experience even more enjoyable for us. We got a little wet getting in and out of the canoes, but the cold didn’t bother us much. The explanations—covering paddling techniques, how to spot wildlife, and the different types of mangroves—were thorough, which made the experience very satisfying.
In the afternoon, it will be sunny with occasional clouds, with a high of around 23°C.
Wetsuit rentals are included, so you won’t feel cold at all, and since they adjust the pace to suit you, even those who aren’t strong swimmers can feel at ease. Even when snorkeling from the beach, we were able to go quite far out and see a wide variety of fish and coral reefs—it was absolutely beautiful.

Thanks to Shogo’s easy-to-understand and humorous commentary and Kokko’s gentle support, we really enjoyed ourselves.
It was a huge help that they told me about the local attractions and good restaurants while we were traveling.

I had visited Ishigaki Island many times before, but this was my first time on Iriomote Island. Being able to join this tour on my first visit to Iriomote Island was a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

This time, we went canyoning, focusing mainly on the Omi-Jia Falls. The sky was cloudy and it rained a little, but our guide carefully explained each dangerous spot and safety precaution one by one, so we were able to enjoy ourselves with peace of mind.

In addition, during the tour, the guide explained not only the nature of Iriomote Island but also its history, which was very educational. It wasn’t just about having fun; it was a time when I was able to gain a deeper appreciation for the charm of Iriomote Island.

After the tour, I was even able to take a shower, so I was comfortable right up until the very end. What’s more, they took dozens of photos and videos for me and sent me the entire collection about an hour after the tour ended, which I really appreciated. I was truly impressed by how quickly they responded.

The day before, they thoughtfully checked in on my health and provided details about the tour; from their preparation beforehand through the day of the tour and even afterward, it was a wonderful tour that left me feeling completely at ease.

I’d definitely like to use your services again the next time I visit Iriomote Island.
I hope I get to see an Iriomote cat then too! 🙌

(The photo was taken by our guide on the day of the tour.)