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How to spend spring in Iriomote Island
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How to spend spring in Iriomote Island
Spring is the season when many things begin anew!
This is the season when the school year changes and life becomes a milestone for many people, such as entering a new school, moving on to the next grade, or joining a new company.
Spring is also the season of endings and farewells.
For students, it is the time of graduation, and for working people, it is the season when companies are closing their accounts and transfers are increasing.
A change in environment creates a sense of anticipation for a fresh start, but at the same time, it is easy to be exposed to the stress that comes with a change in environment.
As the term "May illness" suggests, it is a time of year when one can become weary of something or lose the thread of one's feelings.
It is such a season, so why not go on a trip?
Visiting unusual places, viewing beautiful scenery, and having new experiences will definitely refresh your body and mind, and give you the energy to take on a new stage of your life.
However, spring is still a season of cold weather, so you will want to choose your travel destination carefully.
The recommended place for this is Iriomote Island.
Iriomote Island is located about 400 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa where Naha City is located.
It is located closer to Taiwan than to the mainland, and has a subtropical climate that differs from that of the mainland.
Iriomote Island is blessed with a natural environment so rare in the world that it has been designated by UNESCO as a candidate for World Natural Heritage.
The unique ecosystem, including the Iriomote wildcat, a special natural treasure, has been nurtured in a natural environment that is rare even by global standards, and is also referred to as the "Galapagos of the East.
Such Iriomote Island is very warm throughout the year.
Even in midwinter, there are many days when the temperature exceeds 20°C. In March and April, the average temperature is above 20°C.
In April, the summer days can reach over 25 degrees Celsius, and the beach opens in March!
In general, the island is warm and very suitable for sightseeing in early spring.
Now, let's look at the specific attractions of Iriomote Island in spring!
Spring in Iriomote Island
Now, let me first explain a little more about climate and temperature, which I mentioned briefly above.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, spring in Iriomote Island is characterized by warm and sunny weather.
The average temperature for March, 20.3°C, is equivalent to late May in Tokyo.
Even so, one would expect the nights to get colder, but that is not the case, with the temperature difference between day and night staying within about 5°C (41°F).
The climate is warm, with temperatures generally above 15°C most days, making it possible to spend a very comfortable day in the city.
What a surprise, the earliest sea opening in Japan is held in March!
In the mainland, the sea-opening season begins in early July in many areas, so this means that the season is four months ahead of the mainland.
In April, the average temperature rises to 22°C (72°F), creating an even more comfortable environment, so it is no problem to wear short sleeves during the day.
As mentioned in the opening section, temperatures can reach summer days, and the undersea temperature is basically warmer than the temperature on land, making it a safe environment for swimming.
The seabed of Iriomote Island is inhabited by many coral reefs, and the sandy beach is stained pure white from the crushed corals.
Of course, you will be able to enjoy the contrast of the clear blue ocean and white sandy beaches, which is unique to the tropics, to the fullest!
However, this favorable climate will last until early May.
Around the middle of May, Iriomote Island enters the rainy season early ahead of the mainland.
Temperatures also rise further, with average temperatures exceeding 25°C. Combined with the high humidity characteristic of the rainy season, it is not a very comfortable season.
Rain in Iriomote Island is a tropical squall that falls strongly in a short period of time, so you will not be caught in an endless long rain, but you may still find it difficult for sightseeing.
In addition, although there are of course sunny days, Iriomote Island from this time of year through the summer has intense ultraviolet rays as well as direct sunlight.
Do not let your guard down because of rainy or cloudy weather; careful UV protection and frequent hydration are essential.
Incidentally, Yaeyama fireflies, which are endemic to the Yaeyama Islands, can be observed during this season.
The best season is from March to early May, and it can be said to be a springtime tradition in Iriomote Island.
Yaeyama fireflies are considerably smaller and more luminous than the genji and heike fireflies that live on the mainland, but they have the unusual habit of glowing in clusters.
The environment of Iriomote Island is very suitable as a habitat for fireflies, and you can see such a large number of fireflies that are rarely seen on the mainland.
The Yaeyama fireflies' habit of glowing in clusters, combined with the huge number of fireflies unique to Iriomote Island, makes the sight of thousands or even more than 10,000 fireflies glowing in a cluster a truly breathtaking sight.
You will encounter a spectacular view that is sometimes described as a carpet of light.
Advantages of Iriomote Island in Spring
Iriomote Island in spring has many merits such as the favorable climate explained above, and we will introduce two more merits that we will explore further.
The first is that there are seasonal tours.
You can see the Yaeyama firefly tours introduced above and other spectacular sights unique to Iriomote Island that can only be seen during this season of the year.
Basically, the season from spring to pre-summer is very popular for tourism due to the succession of large vacations such as spring break and Golden Week.
For this reason, many limited-time tours for tourists are organized locally, and you will be able to enjoy Iriomote Island more deeply.
The term "limited time only" sounds appealing, doesn't it?
The firefly viewing and other limited-time-only tours are sure to satisfy 100%!
By checking out the various tours and going on them carefully, you will have a wonderful trip.
Next, let me introduce you to the second benefit.
This may not be an advantage for everyone, but for some, it may be a tremendous and irreplaceable advantage.
To my surprise, there are no cedars growing on Iriomote Island!
Cedar means pollen, and spring is the season of hay fever.
Cedar pollen, which many people suffer from this season, does not fly to Iriomote Island.
It is said that people with severe hay fever visit Iriomote Island during this season as a place to avoid pollen, not a summer resort.
It might be a good idea to visit Iriomote Island to escape from very painful hay fever as much as possible.
Disadvantages of spring
There are not only advantages but also disadvantages in Iriomote Island in spring, which I would like to introduce.
One of the disadvantages of this time of year is the rising cost of travel, including transportation, lodging, and various other expenses.
As mentioned in the Merits section, spring is the season when many people travel due to a series of major vacations.
Generally, when demand increases, prices also increase.
Keep in mind that Iriomote Island in spring will be somewhat more expensive to travel and there will be more people.
We recommend that you plan your trip with plenty of time to spare, taking into account the crowds on the island, and make arrangements for airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, etc. as early as possible.
But the vibrancy is also a good thing, and the sight of a tropical beach filled with people will make you feel like you're at a resort.
However, this is only for major holidays such as spring break and Golden Week.
If you can make your schedule without consecutive holidays, there are fewer people to sightsee, and hotels, airline tickets, and tours are considerably less expensive.
If you are not in season, you can enjoy a trip with a high degree of freedom at a reasonable price, so take advantage of it according to your own convenience.
Other disadvantages include the fact that until mid-March, the northerly winds can make it feel chilly rather than the temperature readings.
That said, it is not a disadvantage to be overly concerned about, as the warmth is not comparable to the same time of year on the mainland.
It is a good idea to bring a light jacket just in case.
Recommended Activities in Iriomote Island in Spring
Now, let's take a look at the activities you can enjoy in Iriomote Island sightseeing in spring.
There are too many activities to list, but we will pick out a few that are particularly suitable for spring!
(1) Caving in a limestone cave
The first one is caving in limestone caves.
Of course you can enjoy caving at other times of the year, but spring is the best season for caving because it is neither too hot nor too cold.
Trekking through the mangrove jungle of Iriomote Island toward the limestone caves, you will see the mysterious atmosphere of the caves as you proceed through the trees.
Once inside the limestone caves, you will feel like an explorer!
Bending down to dive in low places and twisting around to pass through narrow places, caving with the entire body gives an extraordinary feeling as if you have entered a game.
The limestone caves, surrounded by jungle, are also rich in nature, with a wide variety of plants and endemic animals, so visitors can enjoy observing the unique ecosystem in conjunction with a guide.
Even small children can enjoy the ride with peace of mind, as they are well equipped with safety gear such as knee pads, elbow pads, and helmets!
(2) Cruising
Cruising is recommended for those who want to calmly enjoy the beautiful environment of Iriomote Island in spring.
The tour moves slowly through the beautiful scenery of the surrounding large forests, ocean and rivers.
Cruising in the ocean, you will be able to peer into the clear emerald green waters and admire the colorful underwater coral reefs and the tropical fish that call them home swimming happily.
In addition to the ocean, Iriomote Island also has a beautiful and wide river flowing through it, and you can enjoy the tropical atmosphere surrounded by thick mangrove forests on both banks.
You can also see waterfalls along the way, and you will surely be impressed by their power.
Of the several cruises available on the island, the Urauchi River Sightseeing Cruise is one of the most popular.
This tour is suitable for a wide range of situations, such as travel with children or the elderly, as you can enjoy an elegant boat trip around the longest river in Iriomote Island in a relaxed manner.
Other popular destinations include cruising boats to Barras Island and other islands, where the speed of the boats allows visitors to enjoy the contrast between the white splash of the waves, the trails of foam on the ocean surface, and the blue ocean.
Snorkeling
The sea is already warm in Iriomote Island in spring.
If you have come all the way to the tropical island of Iriomote, you must experience snorkeling, which is the most popular activity!
On Iriomote Island, you can enjoy diving in a variety of locations, from famous snorkeling spots where many people gather to picturesque holes that look like untouched land.
Among the many famous spots on the island, the most popular is Star Sand Beach.
Have you ever heard of star sand in a bottle, which is often sold as a souvenir in Okinawa Prefecture?
The beach at Star Sand Beach is littered with many of those same star-shaped sands, hence the name of the beach.
The ocean that can be seen from Hoshinosuna Beach is home to an unparalleled variety of fish, with more than 100 different species!
It is a highly popular snorkeling spot because of the colorful fish that can be seen.
There are also many other beaches where sea turtles come ashore and many private beaches that only locals know about, so it may be interesting to search for hidden gems!
in the end
We have introduced Iriomote Island in the spring season.How was it?
Although spring is still considered to be a cold season, Iriomote Island offers one of the mildest climates in Okinawa.
The beach opens in March, so even though it is spring, it will feel like early summer.
By that time, many activities can be experienced, including snorkeling and diving.
There are various spots for snorkeling, including spots with many tropical fish and spots like private beaches with few people, so you can enjoy snorkeling in various ways depending on your mood that day.
Please come to Iriomote Island in spring to experience the first marine activity of the year.
Thank you for reading to the end.
This article was written by.
