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Uehara Port and Ohara Port
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Uehara Port and Ohara Port
Do you know Iriomote Island?
Iriomote Island is a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture, located more than 400 km southwest of the main island.
It is located so close that it is closer to Taiwan than to the main island of Okinawa, and there is no airport because most of the island's area is covered by subtropical jungle.
Therefore, the only means of transportation to Iriomote Island is by boat.
Such Iriomote Island has two ports that serve as entrances, named Uehara Port and Ohara Port, respectively.
They are separate ports located in the northern and southern parts of the island, so naturally the accessibility, the commercial facilities there, and the activities that can be experienced are different.
The choice of port must also be based on the seasonal operating conditions, the facilities around the port, where the rented car can be left, or whether it is possible to move to a remote island with the car.
Therefore, we would like to introduce Uehara Port and Ohara Port from various angles.
Access from Ishigaki Island
Let's start by looking at the detailed directions for access.
As mentioned above, the island is located far from the main island of Okinawa, so high-speed boats to Iriomote Island are not available from the main island.
Boats depart only from Ishigaki Island, which also belongs to the Yaeyama Islands, so first fly to Ishigaki Island either directly or via Naha.
From Ishigaki Airport to Ishigaki Port, and then to the Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal facility there, from where boats to Iriomotejima are available.
There are two main types of vessels that go to Uehara and Ohara ports: high-speed vessels and ferries.An-ei Kanko, Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, Ishigaki Island Dream KankoThe current situation is that the company is operated by three companies.
(1) Comparison of ferry service between the two ports
So how many ferries operate between the two ports?
■ Each company'sNumber of daily flightsare as follows
An-ei Kanko & Yaeyama Kanko Ferry (joint operation)
To Uehara Port: 8-10 pcs.
To Ohara Port: 12 pcs.
Ishigaki Island Dream Sightseeing
To Uehara Port: 1 (via Hatoma Island)
To Ohara Port: 6 pcs.
Anei Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry are jointly operated, so we have put them together.
In both cases, there are clearly more flights to Ohara Port than to Uehara Port.
In terms of time flexibility when heading to Iriomote Island, it is clear that Ohara Port is more convenient.
So, are there any differences in the operating times of the different routes?
First, it takes about 40 minutes by high-speed boat between Ishigaki Island and Uehara Port.
On the other hand, the trip between Ishigaki Island and Ohara Port takes about 30 minutes, giving Ohara Port a slight edge in terms of time required.
It should also be noted that boats heading to Uehara Port are often cancelled in winter.
One of the meteorological features of Iriomote Island is that it is surrounded by the sea on all sides, so the wind is always strong.
This tendency is particularly strong on the route between Ishigaki Port and Uehara Port, where there is nothing to block the wind, and on windy days, the sea is greatly affected and the waves tend to become rough and high.
In comparison, the route between Ishigaki Port and Ohara Port has Taketomi Island and Kohama Island on the north side and Kuroshima Island on the south side.It will be difficult to miss flights.
In the winter months, when the weather is not favorable, more than half of the flights to and from Uehara Port may be cancelled for the entire month.
Be sure to check well in advance about the status of the operation.
From the above, it can be said at a glance that Ohara Port is superior in terms of access from Ishigaki Port.
(2) Car Ferry Comparison
When visiting Iriomote Island, the use of a rental car is standard if you want to tour around the island.
Iriomote Island is located more than 400 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa, and is characterized by a subtropical climate that differs from that of the mainland. More than 90% of the island is covered by majestic jungle, which is influenced by the warm climate.
The abundance of nature in the area is such that it has been called the Galapagos of the East, and since much of the land remains unexplored, relying solely on public transportation can often be inconvenient.
There are also several car rental agencies in the vicinity of the two ports that cater to tourists, and it may even be said that the use of a rental car is essential.
In addition, you may have already rented a car in Ishigaki Island to enjoy both Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands on a longer itinerary.
In such cases, you may want to consider using a car ferry that will carry your car along with you.
Car ferries operate to both Ohara Port and Uehara Port, so you can bring the car you rented in Ishigaki Island directly to Iriomote Island when you go to either port.
Keep in mind, however, that both routes will take longer than using the high-speed boat.
Access between Ishigaki Island and Ohara Port takes about 45 minutes.
The route between Ishigaki Island and Uehara Port takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes because it passes through Hatoma Island.
If you plan to participate in a local tour after your arrival, be sure to plan plenty of time to spare.
In view of the time required, Ohara Port appears to be more accessible even when using a car ferry.
In fact, however, ferries to Ohara Port operate only three days a week.
If you want to head to Ohara Port, you will want to check the dates of operation against your travel itinerary to understand if a car ferry to Ohara Port is available on the day you are visiting.
If the schedule does not mesh, you will need to take a ride to Uehara Port, so be sure to check in advance.
The estimated time to travel between the two ports by rental car is approximately one hour.
■Car Ferry Travel Times and Fees
Uehara Port
Travel time: High-speed boat: approx. 40-45 min.
Ferry: approx. 1 hr. 50 min.
Fare: High-speed boat: 2,360 yen
Ferry: 1,720 yen
Operating days: Monday - Saturday
Ohara Port
Travel time: High-speed boat: approx. 30-35 min.
Ferry: approx. 45-90 min.
Fare: High-speed boat: 1,800 yen
Ferry: 1,330 yen
Operating days: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Advantages of Uehara Port
From what we have presented so far, you may feel that Ohara Port is by far the most convenient.
In fact, Ohara Port may be superior in terms of accessibility from Ishigaki Island.
In fact, however, Uehara Port has many advantages when it comes to ease of sightseeing after arrival.
First, for those who want to enjoy marine activities such as snorkeling and diving, we recommend Uehara Port, which is close to the beach where marine activities are available.
The sea of Iriomote Island, as is typical of the remote islands of Okinawa Prefecture, is rich in coral reefs, beautifully blue, and boasts a transparent hue.
In particular, the beach called "Star Sand Beach" is filled with many star sands, and together with the shining white sand formed by accumulated coral fragments, it will give you the best tropical travel feeling.
Other locations such as Tsukigahama Beach, where there is a high encounter rate with sea turtles, and Nakano Beach, where the evening scenery is very beautiful, are all located close to Uehara Port.
It is only a few minutes away by car or a short walk, and you will be able to experience a great variety of marine activities within a compact area.
Furthermore, the vicinity of Uehara Port offers not only beaches, but also a variety of river activities.
About a 10-minute drive from Uehara Port is the Urauchi River, the longest river in Okinawa Prefecture.
The long stretch of the Urauchi River is surrounded by jungle, and cruising and trekking are popular because of its location.
Nearby you will find a variety of locations, including the atmospheric Mariyudu and Pinaisara Falls, which boasts the highest drop in Okinawa Prefecture.
If you want both marine and river activities, it is definitely best to use Uehara Port.
And, in terms of sightseeing, the facilities in the surrounding area are of concern.
Comparing the number of restaurants, souvenir shops, and the accommodations essential for travel, Uehara Port is better equipped than Ohara Port.
Uehara Port is also a great place to eat, with many restaurants serving local cuisine and LOHAS island cafes within walking distance.
Since the main means of transportation in Iriomote Island is by rental car, it is not possible to travel long distances after drinking.
Public transportation does not run late, and of course you should not drink and drive, so you should always be aware of how to get around after eating.
For those who drink alcohol, the environment with numerous restaurants and accommodations within walking distance is a welcome factor.
There is a wide range of lodging facilities, including nice pensions and guest houses run by friendly owners, making it easy to choose the location of your choice for both food and lodging.
Advantages of Ohara Port
Uehara Port was full of activities, restaurants, accommodations, and other attractions.
How about Ohara Port then?
The area near Ohara Port is more about playing in the mountains and rivers than enjoying the beach.
A mangrove cruise on the Nakama River, full of nature, is a popular activity in the vicinity of Ohara Port.
There is also a buffalo cart ride to Yubu Island, known as the No. 1 tourist spot, and it is a wonderful time to ride a buffalo across the blue sea while listening to folk songs.
Compared to the Uehara Port area, which has a strong tourist atmosphere, the Ohara Port area has a somewhat idyllic mood.
Especially at night, the area around the port is very quiet. If you want to get away from your busy daily life and enjoy a relaxing tropical experience without being pressed for time, this is the place for you.
Although not as well-stocked as Uehara Port, this area also has a certain amount of restaurants and commercial facilities, so there are no major problems here.
While Uehara Port offers an active trip with activities and shopping, Ohara Port may be a better choice for those who want to enjoy a quiet, island-time trip.
Points to consider when selecting a port
Both ports had their own advantages.
Although Uehara Port is home to many activities and commercial facilities, the low number of ferry services and the fact that services are often suspended during the winter months can be a bottleneck.
In some cases, you may want to go to Ohara Port and consider the option of renting a car or tram for flexibility.
How do I travel between both ports?
I was supposed to go to Uehara Port, but I ended up at Ohara Port.
Or the opposite pattern, you may make a mistake if you don't know the area well.
If you want to rent a car, but think about returning it when you leave, you may feel trapped in all directions, not wanting to rent near the port on the opposite side of the harbor from where you are staying.
But don't worry if that is the case.
Iriomote Island has a public transportation system, the Iriomote Island Route Bus, which connects both ports.
The bus runs four times a day, and the fare is 940 yen for adults one-way.
There are four stops between Ohara Port and Uehara Port, but to our surprise, the system is so lax that you can freely get on and off at places other than the bus stops.
Besides the case of the wrong port, it might be interesting to dare to use this service if you are interested.
in the end
We have introduced "Uehara Port and Ohara Port", the entrances to Iriomote Island.
I hope you have thought that accessibility, convenience, and the two ports have their own advantages and disadvantages, and that it is not possible to say one is better than the other in general.
Because of the considerable distance between the two ports, we tend to see only the port on the side that was used, but it might be interesting to visit the port on the side that was not used for sightseeing and compare the two.
It is the preliminary preparation that determines the success or failure of the trip.
Make the best of your trip to Iriomote Island by carefully understanding the route and operation schedule.
Thank you for reading to the end.
This article was written by.
