Iriomotejima-Taketomi Island

What kind of island is Iriomote Island?

Iriomote Island is located in Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture.
Located approximately 2100 km southwest of Tokyo, it is covered with subtropical virgin forest.
It boasts a diverse natural environment that includes jungles in the backcountry, mangroves in the estuary, and tidal flats on the coast.

Iriomote Island for enjoying activities in the great outdoors

The best part of Iriomote Island is that you can experience the great nature through various activities.
Nature observation on mud flats stretching from the estuary to the coast, canoeing and SUP in mangrove forests, trekking in the jungle, canyoning to enjoy natural water slides, the list goes on and on.
You will have unforgettable memories through experiences on a grand scale.
If you want to enjoy nature in a relaxed atmosphere, Iriomote Island is recommended.

Spend a day to fully enjoy it!

Iriomote Island offers a full range of activities that can be enjoyed throughout the day.
You can freely arrange a tour that combines several different types of tours in a single day, or a short tour packed with fun.
One day is not enough! You may think.

Lodging is also recommended.

Iriomote Island also offers a wide range of accommodations.
From nationwide resort hotels to local guesthouses and minshuku, there is a wide variety and price range.
After a day of activities, we recommend the option of staying overnight on Iriomote Island.
It is also a privilege for those who stay overnight to enjoy Iriomote Island at night and early in the morning.
At night, you can enjoy beautiful starry skies, said to be some of the best in the country, and a real jungle night tour.
You will be lucky if you see a coconut crab or a semaruga turtle.
By joining an early morning departure tour, you can avoid the crowds and have the beautiful morning sea all to yourself.
Staying on Iriomote Island is filled with a special feeling that you cannot experience anywhere else.

How to get to Iriomote Island

Such Iriomote Island can be accessed by sea from Ishigaki Island.
Ishigaki Island has Ishigaki Airport and can be reached by direct flights from major cities.
If there is no direct flight, go to Ishigaki Airport via Naha Airport.
From Ishigaki Island, you will travel by boat.
There are two routes departing from the remote island terminal, one to Uehara Port in the northern part of Iriomote Island and the other to Ohara Port in the southern part.
Each port and route has its own characteristics, so choose the one that best suits your travel plans.
The service may be cancelled during typhoon season, so please be careful when making your plans.

Ohara Port, Iriomote Island

The journey from Ishigaki Island to Ohara Port takes 30 minutes by regular high-speed boat and 45 minutes by car ferry.
The car ferry operates three days a week, so check in advance if you plan to travel by car.
This route is less likely to be cancelled even in winter, and is becoming increasingly popular for its stability.
Mangrove excursion boats and canoe tours departing from Ohara Port are also available for easy access.
Boats to Taketomi Island and Kohama Island are also available, making it a good base for touring the outlying islands.

Uehara Port, Iriomote Island

From Ishigaki Island to Uehara Port in the northern part of Iriomote Island takes 40 minutes by regular high-speed boat or 1 hour and 50 minutes by car ferry.
The car ferry takes longer because it passes through Hatoma Island, but it operates six days a week.
The facilities around the port are excellent, with restaurants, island cafes, and resort hotels.
Please note that this route is susceptible to winter northerly winds and is frequently cancelled.

What kind of island is Taketomi Island?

Taketomi Island is located in the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is also called "the closest remote island," and would be about 10 minutes by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Island.
The villages located in the central and northwestern parts of the island preserve a traditional landscape consisting of coral stone walls, red tile roofs, and white sand paved roads.
The sight of buffalo carts going through the town is a symbol of Taketomi Island.

Taketomi Island for leisurely sightseeing

The best way to enjoy Taketomi Island is to "take it easy.
From the moment you land on the island, you may feel that time is passing differently.
The exotic, old town streets, traveled by buffalo cart, which is slower than a person can walk, is a place where you can immerse yourself in an extraordinary island time.
A short walk from the center is a spectacular beach with sparkling clear water.
It is wonderful to spend time relaxing and taking it easy, just like the many island cats.

You can fully enjoy it in half a day!

Another attraction of Taketomi Island is that you can enjoy it in half a day even if you take it easy.
A half-day itinerary can be completed by taking a buffalo cart from the harbor to the village, wandering around, and returning to the harbor.
If you stay a little longer, you can rent bicycles to tour the beach.
This may be another reason why Taketomi Island is so beloved.

How to get to Taketomi Island

Let us show you how to get to Taketomi Island.
Taketomi Island has no airport and is accessible by boat.
High-speed boats and ferries operate from Ishigaki Island's remote island terminal to Taketomi Island, and the high-speed boat ride takes 10 minutes.
This is a popular route with a large number of vessels, with about 40 departures per day.

Iriomotejima-Taketomi Island Ferry Routes

There is also a ferry connecting Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island.
There are about 20 flights per day during the summer high season and about 10 flights per day during the winter season.
The time required is 10 to 15 minutes.
Advance reservations are required.

Which is the best place to travel from Ishigaki Island?

Both Iriomote and Taketomi Islands can be accessed from Ishigaki Island.
If we dare to choose one or the other, how should we decide?
Both are so appealing, it's hard to decide.
Here are some of the key points.

If you want to enjoy the great nature of Okinawa, Iriomote Island

If you want to enjoy the great nature unique to the southern islands, Iriomote Island is the place for you.
Through a wide variety of activities, visitors can experience the majestic mangroves and dense jungle, and the exhilaration of clear streams.
You can freely choose and combine the time you want to spend on your tour, from a short tour to a full day.
Iriomote Island offers many options and would be perfect for an active trip.

Taketomi Island for relaxing sightseeing in the Ryukyu Kingdom era townscape of Okinawa

If you like historical landscapes that take you back in time, Taketomi Island is the place for you.
You will surely be able to take your time to enjoy the old town and forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The history of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which built its own culture, is still alive today.
Taketomi Island is a good place for a trip that focuses on spending time.

Points to note for sightseeing in Iriomotejima and Taketomi Island

Here are some points to keep in mind when touring Iriomote and Taketomi islands.
There will be a number of things that are out of the ordinary on a remote island in the subtropics.
Check again and enjoy your trip safely.

Note ferry times.

When visiting Iriomote and Taketomi Islands, it is important to pay attention to ferry times.
Plan your departure and travel times, as well as your return ferry time, so that you will be in plenty of time for your return trip.
The timetable changes depending on the time of year, so special attention should be paid if you wish to avoid the peak tourist season.

Watch out for sudden rain

Iriomote and Taketomi Islands have a subtropical climate.
In this climate zone, you may experience sudden squalls during the rainy season.
It rains very hard, so it is recommended to prepare a good rain gear.
In some cases, you may want to consider reconsidering the timing of your trip.

Note the intensity of ultraviolet rays.

The sun is strong on Iriomote and Taketomi Islands, and symptoms such as burns caused by ultraviolet rays may occur.
To prevent sudden changes in physical condition, please take adequate UV protection with hats, parasols, sunglasses, etc.
Avoiding going out during the noon hour, when ultraviolet rays are stronger, is also helpful.
Do not let your guard down and use sunscreen even on rainy or cloudy days, and reapply frequently.
Also, be sure to prepare more drinks and hydrate properly to prevent heat stroke.

Reservations required for Iriomotejima-Taketomi Island ferry.

To take the ferry between Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island introduced earlier, you need to make a reservation in advance.
Search for "Taketomi Passage" to see the operator's website.
Reservations can be made through its website and by phone.
The timetable and other information is also posted on the website.

Mail order is recommended for souvenirs!

There are no big shopping malls on either Iriomote or Taketomi islands,There are no souvenir shops called souvenir shops.

So, if you want to buy souvenirs for yourself or as gifts, we recommend that you buy them by mail order!

Iriomote and Taketomi islands have fixed ferry times, so you will not be pressed for time if you mail order.

And it doesn't take up valuable time,There is no need for additional baggage.

You can buy it online 24 hours a day, whenever you want, so please take a look at the link below!

summary

We have introduced sightseeing in Iriomote and Taketomi Islands.
Each has its own unique characteristics and will add to the memories of a wonderful trip.
In order to make your trip as you envisioned, it is important to gather information and prepare in advance.
Plan well and enjoy the extraordinary world.

This article was written by.

Hello! I am Niwa-chan, your source for all things Iriomote Island. I have loved to be in touch with nature since I was a child, and I am especially fascinated by the rich natural environment of Okinawa. Currently, based in Iriomote Island, I provide information on how to enjoy activities such as snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking, as well as the hidden charms of the island.

I want to experience the best activities in Iriomote Island! and "I want to get local information about Iriomote Island! As a guide who actually works in the local area, we provide detailed information on recommended spots and activities on the island to those who "want to experience the best activities in Iriomote Island! Our goal is to deliver an unforgettable experience for our customers by interacting with the local nature every day.

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