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Iriomote Island Travel Model Plan - 4 days/3 nights
Introduction
Long vacations are the best feeling for both working people and students.
And speaking of long vacations, travel!
Many people may want to visit a place completely different from their usual sphere of life in order to wash away the fatigue of daily life and refresh themselves.
Experiencing something different in an unusual place will energize you for the next routine.
For such a long vacation, why not take a trip to Iriomote Island, a paradise where you can enjoy a tropical atmosphere and heal your body and soul?
Iriomote Island is an island in Okinawa Prefecture, located in the Yaeyama Islands, about 400 km further southwest of the main island of Okinawa, where Naha City is located.
The environment of Iriomote Island is very warm, due to its location far to the south compared to the main island.
Even in Okinawa Prefecture, which has a subtropical climate, it is particularly warm, with high temperatures often exceeding 20°C even in midwinter.
Such an environment nurtures a natural environment that is rare in the world, and Iriomote Island has been designated as a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO.
A whopping 90% of the island's total area is covered by subtropical jungle, which is home to many precious creatures such as the Iriomote wildcat, a special natural treasure.
Being a remote island in Okinawa, Iriomote Island is of course surrounded by beautiful blue ocean.
Furthermore, the island has an abundance of rivers, waterfalls, and other bodies of water, making it a great place to enjoy a variety of activities in a variety of locations.
Now, as I have listed the charms of Iriomote Island, it is an island that has so many attractions that you cannot play around with just by ordinary sightseeing.
If you have four or more consecutive holidays, you may be able to plan a trip with a longer schedule of four days and three nights.
Then, don't you want to know more about the deep part of Iriomote Island?
Funauki village, an unexplored spot called "the isolated island on land," is located further into Iriomote Island, which is mostly covered with jungle.
As the name "village" implies, people live there, but not on a large scale.
But you may have wondered why it is called unexplored when it is a place where people live.
In fact, because Iriomote Island is covered with jungle, there is no road that circles the entire island, and there are places on the west side of the island that are inaccessible by car.
Funauki Village is located in the westernmost part of the island.
It is called an "isolated island on land" because it can only be reached by boat.
Although it is not easy to get there due to its inconvenient transportation, you can encounter the overwhelming beauty of nature that is preserved because not many people visit.
Furthermore, Funauki village is famous as the place where the Iriomote wildcat was discovered, and you will be able to experience the culture and atmosphere unique to Iriomote Island.
Now I would like to introduce a model case of a three-night, four-day trip to Iriomote Island, including how to get to Funauki village!
2. 1st day
First, let's start with how to get to Iriomote Island.
In a normal trip, you would fly or take the bullet train to your destination, but Iriomote Island has no airport because most of the island is covered with jungle.
Therefore, you must first go to Ishigaki Airport, which is also in the Yaeyama Islands.
Take a direct flight to Ishigaki Airport if you are coming from Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Centrair Airport, Kansai International Airport, Fukuoka Airport, or other airports around major cities, or via Naha Airport from other airports.
After arriving at Ishigaki Island, you will go to Ishigaki Port and take a high-speed boat to Iriomote Island from a place called Remote Island Terminal.
The trip to either port takes approximately 50 minutes.
There are two ports on Iriomote Island, Uehara Port on the north side of the island and Ohara Port on the south side, and you should decide which port to use depending on the location of your planned lodging and activities.
The tour plan introduced here will take you to Uehara Port.
Purchase a boarding ticket to Uehara Port at a shipping company called "An-ei Kanko" in the Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal.
At that time, please be sure to mention that you are "using the shuttle bus to Shirahama.
One point to note is that there are no convenience stores on Iriomote Island.
If you feel like you are in the city, you may have trouble making detailed purchases, so be sure to buy what you need before you board the high-speed boat.
In addition, please be sure to prepare cash, considering that cashless payment is basically not widespread in small stores and eateries on Iriomote Island.
Upon arrival at Uehara Port, board a courtesy bus provided by An-ei Kanko and head for "Shirahama" in about 30 minutes.
The road around the periphery of Iriomote Island terminates at this Shirahama beach, from which you must take a boat.
Board the boat at Shirahama Port, and from there it is a 10-minute boat ride to Funauki Village.
Although there is a succession of moves, this is already Iriomote Island.
The ocean to Funauki village is unbelievably blue and clear, and you will never be bored just looking at it from the boat.
Sea turtles can sometimes be seen in the immediate vicinity.
Once you arrive at Funauki Port, head to your accommodation to check in and finally complete your transfer.
Thank you for your long trip.
If you have checked in and still have time to spare, please visit the "Ida beach".
It is a short 10-minute walk from the village to Ida beach.
This beach has not yet become a tourist attraction due to its lack of excellent accessibility, and its natural environment has been preserved, making it one of the most beautiful in Okinawa.
The ocean is also suitable for swimming, but it should be noted that there are no beach houses or associated changing rooms, showers, toilets, or stores.
The village also has a store where you can rent goods for swimming, which you should consider using when playing well here.
The location is so spectacular that you can spend a whole day in front of the sea without thinking about anything, so you will forget the passage of time.
On the way to Ida beach, many butterflies that remind us of the tropics, such as the Ryukyu Asagimadara and the Oogomadara, are flying, and goats appearing from the grass is also an everyday scene.
This is the best spot to feel the Okinawan travel atmosphere.
3. 2nd day
Now, on the second day of the trip, let's take a snorkeling trip into the unexplored sea.
Although they can be seen on boat trips from Shirahama Port to the village, the waters of Funauki and Amitori in the interior of Iriomote Island are a habitat for sea turtles.
The encounter rate with sea turtles in this area is so high that it is no exaggeration to say that you are guaranteed to see them.
It is a sea turtle paradise, and snorkelers can swim alongside sea turtles and schools of tropical fish.
The clear waters allow you to see far into the distance while snorkeling, and the colorful corals and soft corals are like a dragon's palace.
Snorkeling is an easy activity, and anyone can enjoy it, from the inexperienced to the elderly to those who are not confident in their swimming or physical strength.
Although it is possible to snorkel on your own by bringing your own equipment, it is better to join a local tour to enjoy snorkeling, considering the increased luggage and safety.
The tour by "Funeya" takes you on a glass boat with a glass bottom, so you can look over the ocean from the top of the boat.
I feel even more comfortable participating in this tour because the staff, who are certified water rescuers, will be in the water with me.
In addition, life jackets, a three-piece snorkeling set, and bath towels can be rented free of charge, allowing participants to bring their own swimsuits.
This is a great point of appreciation during travel, when luggage tends to increase!
In addition, an attractive feature of this tour is that a guide from Funauki will show you around Funauki village and its surroundings.
This is an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Funauki that only the locals may know.
This tour allows you to enjoy both the sea and land.
Facility Name Funen-ie
Phone number 090-4470-5966
Business hours: 8:00 - 21:00
Address: 2437 Aza Iriomote, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County (Funauki)
After dinner, why not take a walk around Funauki village at night?
Funauki is a treasure trove of nature, as it is the place where the Iriomote wildcat, a national special natural treasure, was discovered.
Cute semaru box turtles with rounded backs and large Yaeyama flying foxes can be seen at any time of the year.
The very lucky ones may even get to see the Iriomote wildcat.
Even more remarkable is the starry sky.
The village, with a population of about 50 people, has no extra light sources, allowing visitors to view the night sky in total darkness without hindrance.
Iriomote Island is also famous for being a place where one can see constellations from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
The amazingly clear view of so many stars gives the impression of witnessing a natural planetarium.
4. 3rd day
On the third day, wake up early and make your way to Ida beach in the morning glow.
The empty beach is quiet and serene, like a private beach visited by celebrities.
A leisurely stroll, listening to the sound of the waves, will envelop you in a special time that you cannot experience in the city.
On the last day, you will need to catch a boat back to Ishigaki Island, so you will only stay in Funauki village until this day.
After breakfast and checkout, head to Shirahama Port and leave the village with the scenery firmly in your eyes.
After having lunch around Shirahama Port, you can try activities that you can join in the afternoon.
Let's go on a canoe tour to Pinaisara Falls, the symbol of Iriomote Island!
The 50-meter-high Pinaisara Falls are a powerful sight to behold, and canoeing and trekking are available.
If you have never been in a canoe before, you may be concerned about your ability to handle it, but activity canoes are very stable and easy to maneuver.
Many people will easily be able to ride it, and it will be enjoyed by people of all ages, from small children to seniors.
Next to canoeing, we will take a walk through the mangrove forest, which looks like an otherworldly place.
Is this really Japan? After going through the overgrown jungle, you will eventually see the Pinaisara Falls, which is the largest waterfall in the world.
Please enjoy the majestic view of Pinaisara, one of the most famous waterfalls in Iriomote Island, right in front of your eyes.
In addition to viewing the waterfall, visitors can play in the waterfall basin.
Why don't you join our safe guided tours and enjoy the great nature of the World Natural Heritage registered sites in an easy way?
After the tour, when you are tired of playing, you can be picked up at Uehara Port or a hotel in the Uehara area.
Facility Name Iriomotejima ADVENTURE PiPi
Phone number 0980-85-7240
Business hours: 7:00-22:00
5. 4th day
The last day of the fun-filled trip is finally here.
So far we have focused on active fun, but how about spending the last day on Yubu Island, where the mood is more peaceful?
Yubu Island is adjacent to Iriomote Island across a shallow water area, and can be reached in about 15 minutes by a buffalo cart pulled by buffaloes.
Yubu Island is characterized by the fact that the entire island is a botanical garden called "Subtropical Botanical Paradise.
Although the botanical garden may give a somber impression, the sight of bougainvillea, hibiscus, and other subtropical plants that are rarely seen on the mainland blooming here and there is like a visit to paradise.
The view of the buffalo pond, where buffaloes rest, and the giant sargassum butterfly, one of the largest butterflies in Japan, flitting about, will give you the perfect tropical atmosphere for your last day in the country.
There are restaurants and stores on the island that serve Iriomote Island's typical dishes and sweets, so you can thoroughly enjoy eating, drinking, and shopping.
Original buffalo goods are very popular as souvenirs, and we recommend you to buy them as a memory of Iriomote Island.
Facility Name Subtropical Botanical Paradise
Phone number 0980-85-5470
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Restaurant 11:30-17:00 (*Last order 16:00)
Summary
The remote areas of Iriomote Island, which are not easily visited on a short itinerary, offer special and spectacular views and experiences that are preserved because they are not easily visited by many people.
Why don't you take your time and enjoy the magnificent nature such as quiet villages where you can hear wild birds chirping, beautiful and clear Ida beach, and paradise sea of sea turtles and corals?
A trip to the tropics is a time-consuming and relaxing way to lose track of time and not be overwhelmed by schedules.
We recommend visiting for four days and three nights, or even longer!
*The information on this page is current as of 2020/10.
This article was written by.
