Let's conquer all the rivers scattered in the jungle of Iriomote Island!

What kind of island is Iriomote Island?

Iriomote Island is located in the southwestern part of Okinawa Prefecture.
About 90% of the island is covered with subtropical virgin forest, and is called the "Galapagos of the East" for its unique ecosystem.
It is a place rich in nature, with 40 rivers, both large and small, flowing through it, and mangrove forests in the lower reaches.

The site is registered as a World Heritage Site.

Such is Iriomote Island, which is now a registered World Natural Heritage site.
It was officially selected as a candidate site in 2003, along with Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and the northern part of Okinawa's main island (Yanbaru).
It is highly valued for its "biodiversity" of diverse flora and fauna, and its "ecosystems" with many endemic species.

Finally, in 2021, it will be registered as a World Natural Heritage site.

How to get to Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island, with its irreplaceable nature, is also an island open to tourists.
Let us show you how to get to Iriomote Island.

High-speed ferry from Ishigaki Island

There is a high-speed ferry to Iriomote Island from neighboring Ishigaki Island.
Uehara Port in the north and Ohara Port in the south are the gateways to Iriomote Island.
From Ishigakijima Terminal, it takes about 45 minutes to Uehara Port and about 40 minutes to Ohara Port.

Uehara Port

Uehara Port is located in the northern part of Iriomote Island and is served by a high-speed ferry from Ishigaki Island.
Hoshisuna beach, a famous snorkeling spot, and Tsuki no hama (moon beach), where sea turtles can be seen, are located close by, providing excellent access.
A 10-minute drive will take you to the Urauchi River, where you can take a jungle cruise or go trekking.
You may want to extend your visit to Mariyudu Falls or Pinaisara Falls.
It is also nice to know that there are many restaurants and cafes in the vicinity.

Ohara Port

Ohara Port is located in the southern part of Iriomote Island and is served by a high-speed ferry from Ishigaki Island.
Its official name is Nakama Port, which is directly connected to the Nakama River with its vast mangroves.
You can immediately join a mangrove cruise tour or a sightseeing boat tour departing from Ohara Port.
Also, boats to Taketomi Island and Kohama Island leave from Ohara Port, making it a convenient base for touring the outlying islands.

Nature of Iriomote Island! 10 Popular Rivers

Here are 10 popular rivers that are essential to the nature of Iriomote Island.

pale chub (Zacco platypus)

Nakama River runs through the southern part of Iriomote Island.
160 hectares of mangroves, or 25% of all mangroves in Japan, are found in the Nakama River basin, which has been designated a national natural monument as the "Nakama River Natural Protected Area.
At the mouth of the river, the river is over 200 meters wide in some places, and eco-tours by pleasure boat and canoe are popular.
Yaeyama palms grow wild on the slope on the left bank of the middle stream and are designated as a national natural monument as "Ubundul's Yaeyama Palm Colony.
There is a giant saxifrage tree upstream that is estimated to be 400 years old, and it has even been selected by the Forestry Agency as one of the 100 giants of the forest.
It can be said that this river is representative of Iriomote Island.

Kula River

The entrance to Kura River is located a little east of Uehara Port, the southern entrance to Iriomote Island.
The name "Coola" means "to bring happiness.
Around the river, there are native plants such as the modama tree, "the world's largest bean," the kudzu potato that Totoro used as an umbrella, and the saxifrage tree that appeared in Jurassic Park.
The Koola Falls, located upstream, is a fantastic space and a famous photo spot.

Omishe River

The Omija River has its mouth in the middle of the northern shore of Iriomote Island.
It can be accessed from Omishe Road Park along the prefectural road, and there will be an observation deck and boardwalk around the mouth of the river.
The river has a large difference in elevation between the river and the sea, forming a unique topography with exposed rock surfaces.
Because of these features, it is known as a popular place for canyoning (river rafting).
The upper reaches are jungle with no landmarks or roads, so be sure to take a tour when canyoning.

Urauchi River

The Urauchi River is the largest river in Okinawa Prefecture.
At the foot of the Urauchi Bridge over the river, there is an observatory from which you can overlook the mangroves near the mouth of the river.
The river has a gentle flow and can be reached upstream by pleasure boat.
A 40-minute walk from the boat landing upstream will take you to Mariyudu Falls, which has been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan.
Further upstream, there will be "Kambire Falls," which is considered the sacred place of Iriomote Island.

Hinai River

The Hinai River is located in the northwestern part of Iriomote Island and flows into Funaura Bay.
Visitors can enjoy the changing scenery by kayak, such as the tidal flats at the mouth of the river, selected as one of the 500 most important wetlands in Japan, and the mangrove-strewn lower reaches of the river.
In the middle of the river there will be the Pinaisara Falls, which boasts the highest drop in Okinawa.

Geeta River

Geeta River is located in the northeastern part of Iriomote Island.
It is a well-known stream walking course that starts at the mouth of the river and heads upstream to Gator Falls.
The route to the first waterfall takes about 45 minutes one way and can be enjoyed by both children and the elderly.
If you are physically fit, visit the second and third waterfalls.

Nakaragawa River

The third largest river in Iriomote Island is the Nakara River.
From the wide estuary, you can take a canoe ride through the mangrove area downstream, and from the narrow middle reaches of the river, you can trek upstream to the Nala Falls.
Nala Falls has a large, deep waterfall basin that is ideal for waterfall games such as swimming and diving.

false dolphinfish (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)

Shira River is a small river located in the southeastern part of Iriomote Island.
The relatively shallow depth of the estuary is suitable for observing living creatures.
Visitors can observe crabs and southern flying gobies, and enjoy fishing in a relaxed atmosphere.
There is a colony of sagaribana in the middle of the river, where you can enjoy the "fantastic flower" that blooms only one night in early July.

River Yutun

The Yutun River in the northeastern part of Iriomote Island is a small river, but the surrounding nature is said to be "thick".
This is because there are no villages nearby and nature remains in its natural state.
In addition, multiple pleasures are concentrated in a small area, such as observing creatures on the tidal flats at the mouth of the river, canoeing in the mangrove forests downstream, and trekking to the waterfalls upstream.
The wild orchids along the river are beautiful and will be popular with tourists.

Yangtze River (in China)

Maeragawa River, which has the sanctuary, Micharion, at its mouth, is located in the southeastern part of Iriomote Island.
Because of the gentle currents in the lower reaches of the river, mangrove tours on the Maera River are recommended for canoeing beginners.
Within the grounds of Sanri Ontake, there is a colony of saxifrage trees with distinctive plate-like uplifted roots, which is designated as a national natural monument as "Komi's saxifrage tree colony.
When visiting, be careful not to enter the sanctuary without permission from the priest.

Activities you can enjoy in the rivers of Iriomote Island

Now, let us introduce some activities you can enjoy in the rivers of Iriomote Island.

Mangrove River SUP/Canoe Tour

The most representative nature of Iriomote Island is the mangroves.
Mangrove forests extend downstream from the river, providing a great opportunity for exploration.
We recommend the classic canoeing or the new SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) through the dense tropical foliage.
SUP, as the name suggests, involves standing on a board and paddling through the water with a paddle.
It is very stable, and once you get used to it, you can sit or stand on the board and enjoy it in any position.
Tours that include nature observation in the surrounding area and trekking upstream are also available.

Dive into the river! Canyoning

Canyoning is an activity that involves going down a canyon with water.
Canyoning is popular on Iriomote Island, where a river runs through a table-like trapezoidal rock face.
With a guide who knows the terrain of the river bottom, he or she can show you where you can take the plunge.
The exhilarating feeling of becoming one with the water is one of the most enjoyable aspects of canyoning.
It will be possible to join a full-day tour combined with a trek upstream or a half-day tour with shorter courses.

summary

In this issue, we introduced the rivers flowing through Iriomote Island and the activities that can be enjoyed there.
Iriomote Island is not only a dense jungle, but also has profound charms and ways to enjoy.
How about creating wonderful memories of Iriomote Island through river activities?