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Solo Travel in Iriomote Island
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Solo Travel in Iriomote Island
Have you ever heard of the term "one person ________"?
It is a topic that is occasionally discussed in TV variety shows or on the Internet, and it asks how much entertainment one can enjoy while enduring being alone.
The "○" part can include, for example, karaoke, yakiniku, movies, amusement parks, etc.
The idea of enjoying some form of entertainment alone is becoming more widely popular now than in the past, to the extent that such topics are widely discussed in various places.
As a typical example, the concept of "one-person karaoke," or hitokara for short, has taken root in karaoke, which used to be a typical place to go with a large group of people.
There are even chain restaurants specializing in yakiniku for one person.
Solo camping is also gaining popularity in camping, which used to have a strong image as a group pastime.
So what about travel?
Many people may have the idea that travel is something to be enjoyed with family and friends.
But in fact, the same is true for travel, and the demand for solo travel is growing rapidly.
In the past, people tended to have a dark image of solo travel, which was usually a heartbreak trip triggered by being dumped by a girlfriend or losing confidence after making a big mistake.
However, this trend has changed, and more and more people are choosing to travel alone for positive reasons, such as ease of movement and flexibility.
In this article, I would like to introduce solo travel in Iriomote Island!
Can Iriomote Island be traveled alone?
Now, is it possible to travel alone in Iriomote Island?
In conclusion, there is no problem at all!
Iriomote Island is dotted with numerous sightseeing spots, but it can be quite strenuous when touring the island's jungle.
The island is highly suitable for solo travelers because they can adjust their travel plans while consulting with their own fatigue and physical condition at such times.
Many people participate in the tours held in Iriomote Island alone, and since many of the local guides are cheerful and caring, you will not feel inconvenienced or lonely even if you participate in the tours alone.
In many cases, the friends I have met there have remained friends for a long time.
The chances for good encounters and memories may be greater when traveling alone than one might think.
What is the attraction of traveling alone?
The most attractive thing about traveling alone is the high degree of freedom!
Traveling with friends and loved ones can be fun, but many find that sleeping and eating together for several days can be exhausting.
For example, it is easy to disagree on which spots you want to visit and what kind of food you want to eat.
Furthermore, differences in time spent getting ready in the morning, whether or not to turn off the lights when going to sleep at night, manners when eating and drinking, differences in sense of schedule, and other differences in values tend to surface when traveling.
For those who don't want to be exhausted by relationships when they are on vacation, I would highly recommend traveling alone.
Especially if you are going to experience the great nature of Iriomote Island, it would be good to spend your time freely, free from troublesome human relationships and stress.
Of course, it is good to enjoy activities with friends without hesitation, but time spent alone looking at the sunset and starry sky of Iriomote Island is also calming and deeply moving.
Recommended spots for solo travelers
Let's take a look at the recommended spots for solo travelers in Iriomote Island in order.
There are many spots on the island, but we have picked out three for you to visit!
1) World Heritage SUP/Canoeing
Iriomote Island is full of nature and is dotted with many sightseeing spots.
Cruising by SUP/canoe in the World Heritage Site will surely relieve your daily fatigue!
SUP stands for "Stand Up Paddle," and as you can see in the picture, it is a game where you stand on a board like a surfboard and paddle. Pipi's tours use boards that are relatively easy to stand on, so anyone can try it without hesitation.
Canoes usually seat two people and are more stable than SUPs, so you can ride with your children or as a couple.
(2) Pinaisara Falls
Now, the second spot I would like to introduce is Pinaisara Falls.
Pinaisara Falls is different from Koola Falls, which was attractive for its mystical atmosphere, because of its power.
What makes this Pinaisara Falls unique is its size!
It is the largest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture, with a drop of about 54 meters.
The powerful waterfalls that roar and cascade down the mountain give you a strong sense of the unique nature of Iriomote Island, and if you see them up close, you will be overwhelmed by the magnificent sight.
The main ways to get to this waterfall are by trekking or joining a canoe tour.
The path to the waterfall is marked with red tape, so it is not impossible for an experienced trekker to reach it on their own.
However, be sure to prepare adequately for the challenge.
Basically, we still strongly recommend joining a tour.
Visitors to Pinaisara Falls can play in the water at the waterfall basin, or trek to the top of the waterfall.
After climbing up to the top of the waterfall with your whole body, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view.
The experience of being bathed in negative ions will refresh you and reset your worn-out mind from the daily grind.
(3) Barras Island
Now, I would like to introduce another island that can be reached from Iriomote Island, Barasu Island, which is called "Miracle Island.
Why go all the way to another island from a remote island? You may wonder, but Barasu Island is a famous spot that cannot be missed when talking about a trip to Iriomote Island!
Although Barras Island is called an island, it is not a large land area where people live.
It takes only a few minutes to walk around the area, and there are no famous landmarks.
So what is the attraction? It is the location of the entire island of Baras.
In fact, the entire island of Barras is made up of coral.
The word "varas" refers to "crushed stone" or other crushed debris.
As the name suggests, the entire island of Barras is made up of piles of broken coral debris.
Coral bones are made of calcareous material, which has the property of turning white when crushed.
The land of Barras Island, which was created by piling up such coral fragments, is a beautiful white sandy beach, and the contrast with the beautiful emerald green sea surrounding the island is truly picturesque.
The island appears only when the tide is low and disappears into the sea when the tide begins to rise.
It is called a miracle because of its rarity, and is widely known as the No. 1 installation spot in Iriomote Island tourism.
This may sound like a tough requirement, but if you join a local tour, you can rest assured that a guide who knows the island well will take you to the island.
You can also enjoy snorkeling and other activities together, so it might be a good idea to check out the various tours before heading out.
If you are a solo female traveler who wants to focus on good photos to post on social networking sites, this is definitely a spot to visit!
Choosing an Accommodation for a Solo Traveler
In traveling, choosing a place to stay is just as important as choosing a rental car in advance.
There are some guesthouses that do not accept single guests, so you may be concerned about whether you will be able to find a place to stay.
In order to answer such concerns, we have picked up lodgings suitable for solo travelers on Iriomote Island!
(1) Kanpira Villa
First, let me introduce Kanpira-so, a guest house with a quaint, long-established atmosphere.
At a quick glance, the building looks old, but it is clean and well maintained.
The toilets, bathrooms, and other water areas are very clean and well maintained, and women will be able to stay there with peace of mind.
It is nice that towels, body soap, and shampoo are provided.
Please note, however, that toothpaste and a hair dryer must be provided.
There are two types of rooms, one with a bathroom and the other with an outhouse, and the former is priced at 4,000 yen and the latter at an unbeatable 3,000 yen.
In addition to clean rooms for such a low price, the old-fashioned standard minshuku style with breakfast and dinner service is appreciated by solo travelers!
〜Basic information about Campira Villa
Guest House Name: Kanpira-so
Access: 545 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Phone number: 0980-85-6508
Rooms: 18 (8 with bath, 8 with out bath)
Price: from 3,000 yen for overnight stay with no meal, from 3,700 yen for breakfast per night
(2) Monsoon
Monsoon, introduced next, is located approximately five minutes by car from Uehara Port, making it extremely accessible.
It is located in the best location overlooking the sea and the townscape of Iriomote Island, and since there are horses outside, you can even experience horseback riding.
The room is a six-mat Japanese-style room, which is large enough to accommodate a single traveler.
Hammocks are available at this inn, and the experience of swaying in a hammock while enjoying the tropical air is sure to deeply heal the body and soul.
If you are tired from the activities, you can come back and relax and rest.
Monsoon not only manages guest houses but also organizes local tours, so if you are on a spur-of-the-moment trip with no set plans, you may want to join a tour as is!
~Basic Information about Monsoon
Access: 984-50 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Phone number: 0980-85-6019
Rooms: 8 private rooms
Price: from 3,500 yen for overnight stay with no meal, from 4,300 yen for breakfast per night, from 5,500 yen for 2 meals per night
One-person gourmet
One of the best parts of traveling is the local cuisine.
Because Iriomote Island is rich in nature, it is also very rich in delicious food.
We would like to introduce some solo gourmet restaurants that are easy to enjoy by yourself.
first branch of a family tree
About 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port.
Located in an easily accessible location, Hatsueda is a long-established sushi restaurant.
Here, we deal with fresh fish from Iriomote Island and have a good selection of first-class products, so you can taste the unique and high quality fish of the island.
In addition to fish, meat sushi using Ishizaka beef is also available to satisfy the palates of those who prefer meat over fish.
The meat sushi of premium beef is sweet and meltingly delicious!
With counter seating available, this is a recommended restaurant that can be entered by a single person without worry.
Solo Tour
1) Splash Canyoning
Visitors can experience a natural waterslide and dive into a waterfall basin on a canyon rafting trip.
There are low diving points for those who are not comfortable with heights and places where you can climb down without having to jump in, so feel free to ask your instructor for advice.
This easy half-day tour is safe and enjoyable for those who are not confident in their physical strength, as well as for children.
You will be satisfied with this short but hearty tour.
There are many excellent instructors working locally, so you can participate with confidence!
(2) Enchanted by the world-class night view
Traveling alone allows you to use your time as you wish, so you can make plans for any time of the day or night.
If you go to the trouble, you will want to enjoy the island not only during the day, but also in the evening and at night.
This tour is the best way to get the best performance in such a gap.
This tour is held in the evening, so it is possible to participate even after a day full of sightseeing and dining.
Also, since the main activity is to observe the beautiful starry sky of Iriomote Island, it is ideal even if you are feeling a little tired after playing around.
Iriomote Island tends to attract attention only for its sea and jungle, but it is actually very famous for its spectacular starry sky, so beautiful in fact that it was the first island in Japan to be certified as a starry sky protected area.
Spending time under the world-class starlit sky, which is said to be the best in Japan, is truly an exquisite healing experience.
in the end
How was your solo trip to Iriomote Island?
Iriomote Island is located more than 400 km further southwest than Okinawa, making it a mild and comfortable environment, with high temperatures often exceeding 20°C even in winter.
This makes it ideal for solo travelers who are flexible with their itineraries, as they can visit at a moment's notice in any season of the year.
If you are not accustomed to traveling alone and are concerned about the stares of group tourists, avoiding the high season during the summer will allow you to enjoy the island in a quiet and comfortable environment.
The greatest advantage of traveling alone is that you can go where you want to go and at your own pace.
It might be a good idea to spend some selfish time doing as you please, just for yourself, without worrying about others.
Please come to Iriomote Island for such a solo trip!
This article was written by.
