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If you want to fully enjoy Iriomote Island for a day, a tour is recommended!
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How to enjoy the World Heritage Iriomote Island in a day
Iriomote Island belongs to Okinawa Prefecture and is one of the most natural sightseeing spots in Japan.
Iriomote Island, visited by many tourists, has a number of ways to enjoy the rich nature of this tropical island.
This time, we will introduce how you can enjoy Iriomote Island in "one day".
A day on Iriomote Island surrounded by the great nature will surely heal your daily fatigue.
If you are considering a trip to Iriomote Island, please refer to this page.
Access to Iriomote Island
Travel to Iriomote Island will be mainly by plane and high-speed boat or ferry.
First, fly to Ishigaki Island, then drive or take a bus to the remote island terminal where the boat service to the remote islands is available.
The remote island terminal is about 20 minutes away by car or 40 minutes by bus.
From there, you will board a boat bound for Iriomote Island, but you should know that there are two routes to reach Iriomote Island.
Two ports in Iriomote Island
There are two ports in Iriomote Island, Uehara Port and Ohara Port.
It takes about 40 minutes to reach Uehara Port by high-speed boat and about 105 minutes by ferry.
It takes about 35 minutes to get to Ohara Port by high-speed boat or about 45 minutes by ferry.
The two ports are about 35 km apart, and each has different characteristics, so it is best to plan your visit according to your objectives.
Uehara Port
Ferries to Uehara Port take longer and have fewer daily runs than those to Ohara Port, but car ferries operate Monday through Saturday.
Uehara Port is characterized by its proximity to beaches such as Barasu Island and Hoshisuna Beach, and its proximity to the Urauchi River, the longest river in Okinawa Prefecture.
For those who want to enjoy marine activities and trekking, we recommend going to Uehara Port.
It also has the advantage of having more restaurants, souvenir shops, and lodging facilities than Ohara Port.
Ohara Port
Ohara Port is cheaper and more accessible, but please note that the car ferry only operates on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Ohara Port is connected to the Nakama River, where you can see vast mangroves, a national natural treasure.
It also provides access to remote islands such as Yubu Island and Kohama Island.
Many people will use Ohara Port as a base for mangrove cruises and visits to remote islands.
Enjoy a day trip from Ishigaki Island
Uehara Port and Ohara Port each have their own attractions, but whichever you use, you can fully enjoy a day trip from Ishigaki Island.
You will be able to enjoy activities and sightseeing in the great nature of Iriomote Island in one day.
Recommended one-day activities!
From here, we will introduce several tour plans that allow you to fully enjoy Iriomote Island in a day.
Did you know that you can experience snorkeling, SUP, and canoeing on the beaches and rivers of Iriomote Island?
SUP is a marine sport in which you stand on top of a boat and paddle it to move forward on the water.
Even if you are new to marine activities, you can rest assured that your guide will provide you with excellent support.
Also, by communicating with the guides, you can ask them for information that only the locals know.
Ask them to recommend places to visit, delicious restaurants, etc., to make your trip more fulfilling.
Iriomote Island Water Play Course! Barasu Island Snorkeling & Canyoning
This plan is the most active among the activities in Iriomote Island and the most enjoyable to feel the nature!
We invite everyone to go back in time to your childhood! Remember how you felt when you were going to the park with a net to catch insects,
Come explore the great outdoors!
If you are not sure what to do in Iriomote Island, please consider this plan.
A great classic! Barasu Island Snorkeling & World Heritage SUP/Canoe
This plan allows you to enjoy two activities at two major spots in Iriomote Island.
You can paddle SUP/canoe in the World Heritage Site and enjoy snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of "Barasu Island".
You can enjoy paddling SUP/canoe.
And snorkeling will reveal beautiful coral, and if you are lucky, sea turtles may also appear.
For those who just want to enjoy marine sports, this plan is recommended.
Activities and Sightseeing! Splash Canyoning & Yubu Island Sightseeing
This plan includes river rafting (canyoning) and sightseeing on Yubu Island.
You can slide down rock walls and jump into the river, which is very thrilling.
After enjoying canyoning with your body, you will head to Yubu Island while being swayed by a buffalo cart, which is unique to Ishigaki Island.
On Yubu Island, you will be able to spend your free time looking around at the flora and fauna, relaxing on the beach, and so on.
River Play Course! Splash Canyoning & World Heritage SUP/Canoe
This plan allows you to fully experience river activities such as canyoning and SUP/canoeing.
You will surely enjoy the unique fun of Iriomote Island by paddling in the magnificent World Heritage Site.
You can return to Ishigaki Island in the evening!
All plans take about 6 hours, meeting in the morning and finishing the tour in the evening.
After a day of fun and sightseeing, enjoy a delicious meal at lunch.
Thus, even a day tour can be a very fulfilling day.
PiPi is equipped with showers, so you can go straight to dinner!
The tours of PiPi, a tour store specializing in Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima, are equipped with showers.
You cannot board the boat while wet from the beach or river, so rinse off thoroughly and wipe yourself off before boarding.
Afterwards, you can enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant introduced by PiPi.
The charm of the island of Iriomotejima that can be experienced by staying overnight!
Now, we have introduced a plan to enjoy Iriomote Island in a day.
You can fully enjoy yourself on a day trip, but you may be able to create even better memories by staying overnight.
You can relax and enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise views and the star-filled sky.
Here, we will tell you about the charms of Iriomote Island that you can enjoy by staying overnight.
Why not experience a different atmosphere than during the daytime?
Night World of Iriomote Island
First, let us introduce the beautiful night view of Iriomote Island.
In 2018, Iriomote Ishigaki National Park was recognized as Japan's first "starry sky protected area.
The starry sky is considered to be one of the most precious in the world, and if the weather is good, shooting stars and satellites may be seen.
You may also encounter rare nocturnal creatures.
Starry sky & jungle night tour
If you want to experience the great nature of Iriomote Island at night, this night tour is recommended.
As you continue through the jungle, you will see endangered coconut crabs and other nocturnal creatures that can only be found here.
And when you look up, the sky is full of stars.
You will feel as if you are a part of nature in this tranquil wilderness.
Sunset of Iriomote Island
If you go to the beach at sunset, you will see the sun setting on the horizon and the ocean reflecting it.
The sky and the beach, which are tinted with red, are the best scenery.
Sunset SUP/Canoe
If you paddle SUP/canoe out to the sea in Iriomote Island, you can also see the sunset more closely.
You can watch the sun set from the water.
You will have the best sunset time sitting or lying on the boat.
Early morning sunrise in Iriomote Island
Spend the night on Iriomote Island and wake up early in the morning to a view of the sunrise.
The day begins with a luxurious view of the shining sun and the sea.
Sunrise SUP/Canoe
Why not take an early morning boat ride and spend the morning on the water?
You can also enjoy a relaxing cruise while watching the sunrise.
It is a refreshing feeling that is not often experienced in daily life.
summary
This time, we introduced activities in Iriomote Island that can be fully enjoyed in a day.
Iriomote Island, with its vast expanse of nature, has many attractions that cannot be experienced in everyday life.
We have introduced a variety of activities, all of which can be enjoyed in a single day.
Spend the best time in Iriomote Island, which can be fully enjoyed even as a day trip!
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