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12 recommended optional tours in Iriomote Island! Also, special set tours are available!
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What is Iriomote Island?
Iriomote Island is said to be the second largest island in Japan after Okinawa Island.
The entire island is designated as a national park, and nearly 90% of the island is covered with subtropical jungle.
The area is home to many rare animals and plants, as well as natural treasures such as the Iriomote wildcat, which is well known to everyone, so you will be able to experience a different atmosphere than usual.
The sea is a clear emerald green and the island is so beautiful that it is also called the "Galapagos of the East" because of its precious natural environment.
Optional Tour of Iriomote Island
Depending on the time of day and the season, tours that can only be experienced at that particular moment will be part of the attraction.
Mysterious nature and the many activities they offer are unique and cannot be experienced anywhere else.
In particular, outdoor activities are most popular.
In addition, there are many unexplored areas that have not been touched by human hands, and Iriomote Island has many attractive spots such as the largest coral reef in Japan and the first starry sky observation area certified as a protected area in Japan.
In this issue, we will introduce some of the recommended optional tours on Iriomote Island!
Nature of Iriomote Island! Mangrove SUP/Canoe
SUP/canoeing in Iriomote Island is like an otherworldly experience.
The appeal of this activity is that it allows you to feel at one with nature.
Surrounded by mangroves, the landscape seems like the Amazon River.
Cruising through it by SUP or canoe is an extraordinary experience in itself, and a side trip at low tide to take a peek at the mud flats is also recommended.
The mudflats are also home to some precious creatures, making this activity a fun way to discover something new.
It can be said that this tour allows you to enjoy the great nature of Iriomote Island to the fullest.
It feels good to fly! Canyoning
Canyoning is an exhilarating river activity.
Visitors can enjoy wild experiences such as "walking, swimming, and diving" by making good use of the natural formations.
It is like a natural swimming pool where you can slide down sliders or take a dynamic dive into the waterfall basin.
It is a natural creation, so it may seem scary at first, but once you experience it, the exhilaration and thrilling tension will become so enjoyable that you will become addicted to it!
You can also enjoy the river in any way you like, such as letting your body go with the current or floating in the water!
Snorkeling at Barasu Island, the "Miracle Island
It is very easy to reach Barasu Island from Iriomote Island, only about 10 minutes by boat.
It is a very small island, only a few dozen meters in diameter, made up of pieces of white coral reef.
It is also an unexplored island that does not appear on any Japanese maps.
Barras Island is called a miracle island because it is one of only two islands in the world made entirely of coral reef fragments, and because it is a very mysterious island that appears and disappears depending on the ebb and flow of the waves.
The emerald green ocean is clearer than you can imagine, and colorful tropical fish and large tropical fish can be seen right in front of your eyes, making for an extraordinary experience.
Please visit there when you visit Iriomote Island.
Sunset SUP/Canoeing while watching the sunset
This canoeing and SUP activity allows you to enjoy the sunset.
The sight of the sun gradually setting from its bright and fresh noon face is breathtaking.
The time spent doing nothing but simply floating in the ocean and watching the magic hour will be blissful.
Iriomotejima limestone cave exploration! Caving
Caving is a form of cave exploration.
Iriomote Island has unique topography and caves, and is a popular caving spot for those in the know.
The greatest attraction of caving is the power of the limestone caves! And, as you push your way through the pitch-dark caves with only the light of your headlamp to guide you, it is an activity that will make you feel like an explorer.
A limestone cave is formed over thousands or tens of thousands of years.
The individuality of the caves is reflected in the finished product, so you will never get tired of looking at them.
The stalactites dripping from the ceiling and the curtain of light shining through the cave create a mysterious atmosphere.
In addition to caving, you will be able to see various plants and animals on the way to the limestone caves, including plants and animals unique to Iriomote Island in Japan and various trees peculiar to the subtropical zone.
Sunrise SUP/Canoeing at sunrise
Sunrise SUP/canoeing is a different experience from sunset.
In the quietness of the early morning when the air is clear, we will take a SUP canoe to a spot where we can see the sunrise.
The sun will gradually rise over the eastern horizon and the area will begin to glow beautifully in the morning, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
Feel the endless horizon, the sound of waves and wind, and the scent of the air as you soak up the sun and recharge your energy to the fullest!
You will be able to forget your busy daily life and refresh your mind and body.
Iriomote Island Fishing Tour
The Yaeyama Islands area where Iriomote Island is located has the largest coral reef in Japan, and many tropical fish, numbering more than 100 species, will live in the surrounding area.
Iriomote Island fishing tours are characterized by the ability to catch a variety of fish unique to the subtropical zone, which can only be found here, and many tourists enjoy fishing tours.
Also, if you want to experience the nature of Iriomote Island at the same time, we recommend sunrise fishing at sunrise and sunset fishing at sunset! If you want to experience the nature of Iriomote Island at the same time, we recommend sunrise fishing at sunrise and sunset fishing at sunset!
Iriomote Island Fishing Tour is a tour that even beginners who have never fished before can participate without worries, so please try it!
Starry sky & jungle night tour
The starry sky of Iriomote Island is famous for being one of the most beautiful in Japan.
If you are lucky, you will be able to see the Milky Way and shooting stars with the naked eye, and depending on the season, you may also be able to view fireflies and the Southern Cross.
In the sea, you can also see noctilucent insects.
On a night tour of the jungle at night, you will feel that you are living as a part of the wilderness because there is nothing but starlight and the only sounds you will hear are those of nature.
The tour also allows visitors to see rare nocturnal animals such as endangered species that inhabit the jungle at night, which makes the tour a different and mysterious nighttime world than during the day.
Night SUP/Canoeing on Silent Night
This tour allows you to fully enjoy the mysterious and silent night of Iriomote Island.
The stars will be very visible at night in Iriomote Island because there is almost no artificial light.
Looking up at the star-filled sky, you will feel as if you have wandered into a fantasy world as the glittering stars illuminate the pitch-black, tranquil waters.
Enjoy the great outdoors! Jungle Trekking
Jungle trekking is not to be missed to see the deep nature of Iriomote Island!
Iriomote Island is so attractive with its great nature that the entire island is registered as a World Natural Heritage site.
The main attraction of trekking tours through virgin forests on your own feet is the chance to meet and interact with a variety of animals and rare plants unique to the subtropical zone, which you would normally never be able to see.
It is also a power spot overflowing with negative ions.
We recommend this tour because you will be working with a nature guide and will hear many different stories.
Yubu Island Sightseeing
Yubu Island sightseeing, which can be accessed across the sea by a buffalo cart from Iriomote Island, is one of the popular optional tours in Iriomote Island.
The entire island of Yubu Island is a botanical garden, home to a wide variety of creatures.
The most attractive attraction is the buffalo cart, which offers an extraordinary experience as you leisurely sway across the ocean, and makes you feel like you are in a tropical country.
diving
For those who want to enjoy the deep sea of Iriomote Island, diving is the right choice.
Diving allows you to go deeper into the sea, which is not possible by snorkeling, so you can enjoy the more mysterious Iriomote Island.
The sea around Iriomote Island is home to colorful fish and coral reefs, so this is an optional tour that you should definitely try when you come to Iriomote Island.
Iriomote Island Value Set Tour
Optional tours in Iriomote Island can be joined as a set for a better price!
Mangrove SUP/canoeing & caving in limestone caves & landing on Barasu Island
This is a complete set tour of Iriomote Island where you can enjoy three popular tours of Iriomote Island in one day.
Barasu Island Snorkeling & Mangrove SUP/Canoe
This is a set tour that allows you to enjoy the two major activities of Iriomote Island over a full day.
Mangrove SUP/Canoeing & Canyoning
This is a river play set tour to enjoy the rivers of Iriomote Island.
Canyoning & Yubu Island Sightseeing
This is a combination tour of active canyoning and relaxing Yubu Island sightseeing.
Condensed into half a day! Mangrove SUP/Canoeing & Caving in limestone caves
This is a half-day condensed set tour in which you can enjoy two popular optional tours in one half day.
Barasu Island snorkeling & Yubu Island sightseeing
This is a set tour that can be enjoyed on the islands around Iriomote Island.
Mangrove SUP/Canoe & Yubu Island Sightseeing
This is a set tour to enjoy the great nature of THE Iriomote Island.
summary
How was it?
I think Iriomote Island was full of charm.
However, rather than seeing it in writing, we encourage you to actually "feel, see, and experience" it with all of your senses so that you can preserve it as a memory.
Iriomote Island is not only by far the most photogenic location, but also offers a great sense of the grandeur of nature.
This is exactly what I mean by priceless.
I recommend Iriomote Island as a place you should visit at least once in your lifetime.
Please come as a trip.
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