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Directions and access to Iriomote Island
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Where is Iriomote Island?
Iriomote Island belongs to Okinawa Prefecture and is located about 440 km southwest of Okinawa Island at latitude 24°N and longitude 123°E.
The island belongs to the Yaeyama Islands, which are formed by Ishigaki, Yonaguni, and Hateruma Islands.
With a total area of about 284 square kilometers and a circumference of about 130 kilometers, Iriomote Island is the second largest island after Okinawa Island.
The climate is classified as subtropical maritime, with mild temperatures throughout the year, with an average temperature of 23°C.
Subtropics are regions that have winters that are not found in the tropics, and where the average monthly temperature exceeds 20°C for four months or more.
The population of Iriomote Island is approximately 2,000, living in 14 villages scattered around the periphery of the island.
The island's main industries are tourism, agriculture (sugarcane, rice farming, pineapple, etc.), cattle ranching, and fishing.
In this issue, we will introduce how to get to and access Iriomote Island.
What are the Yaeyama Islands?
The Yaeyama Islands belong to the Sakishima Islands. They are located approximately 440 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa. The Sakishima Islands also include the Miyako Archipelago, which consists of Miyako Island, Irabu Island, Ikema Island, and others.
It consists of the Yaeyama Islands or Yaeyama Archipelago, which includes Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Taketomi Island.
World Heritage Sites
In 2003, the national "Study Group on World Natural Heritage Candidate Sites" selected the Ryukyu Islands as a World Heritage candidate site.
The geological history from which the islands were formed has been generated through repeated separation and coupling with the continent, thereby creating diverse and highly endemic ecosystems.
It is also valued as an important habitat for endangered species such as the Okinawa rail and the Iriomote wildcat.
Furthermore, in 2013, the Scientific Committee for Amami and Ryukyu World Natural Heritage Candidate Sites selected the following four areas as candidate sites for nomination.
Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island.
Furthermore, it has been decided that the area will be officially registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2021.
Iriomote Island and other islands have a subtropical climate and about 901 tp3t of the land is covered with virgin forest.
The area is academically very valuable as it is home to 15 national monuments, including the Iriomote wildcat, the Semaru box turtle, the crested serpent eagle, and others.
In addition, about 40 rivers flow through Iriomote Island, and mangroves grow wild near the mouth of each river.
Because of the preservation of such nature, Iriomote Island has been designated as a national park.
The waters surrounding the island are home to more than 400 species of corals and a wide variety of marine life.
Japan's largest and most extensive coral reef area exists between Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island as Seisei Joko, an island rich in nature.
How to get to Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island is the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture (the first is the main island of Okinawa), but there is no airport.
To reach Iriomote Island from outside the prefecture, it is convenient to go through Ishigaki Island once.
Access to Ishigaki Island is as follows.
First, from Japan, there is a route via Naha Airport.
Next, there is a direct flight to Ishigaki Island.
Considering connections and waiting time, direct flights are by far the most convenient for users.
Direct flights are recommended for a smooth trip to Iriomote Island.
Can Iriomote Island be reached only by ferry?
The only route from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island is to take a ferry.
There are two ways to take the ferry.
The first is to purchase your own ferry ticket.
Ferry tickets can be purchased at the Ishigaki Port Terminal.
The second method is for the tour organizer to arrange the ferry.
In any case, from Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal, you will board a ferry to Iriomote Island.
Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal is close to Ishigaki city center and is the gateway port to the Yaeyama Islands with a variety of souvenir shops, parking lots, and restaurants.
Iriomote Island also has two ports, Ohara Port on the south side and Uehara Port on the north side.
You should choose the port you arrive at according to the places and activities you wish to visit.
Be careful not to miss the boat as the boat ramp can be crowded.
First, fly to Ishigaki Island.
Iriomote Island has no airport, so you must fly to Ishigaki Island and then take a ferry to the island.
The route and time required for each route are shown below, assuming departure at Haneda Airport as an example.
Haneda Airport - Ishigaki Airport: Airplane (3.5 hours)
Ishigaki Airport - Ishigaki Port: Bus (30 minutes)
Ishigaki Airport - Ohara Port: Ferry (45 minutes)
To ensure that you can efficiently experience the sights and activities, it is recommended that you check the time required from each airport before scheduling your trip.
Two ports in Iriomote Island
To get to Iriomote Island from Ishigaki Island, there are Uehara Port and Ohara Port.
Many people who participate in the tour seem to choose Uehara Port.
You will choose which port to go to depending on your Iriomotejima trip itinerary.
Both ports are about 50 minutes away by ferry, so a day trip is possible.
In addition, the largest of the Yaeyama Islands has a circumference of approximately 130 km, so sightseeing is best done by rental car.
Rental cars are available at both Ohara Port and Uehara Port.
Car rentals cannot be reserved at the last minute during peak season, so we recommend planning at least one week in advance.
Uehara Port
If you are going on a tour, etc., Uehara Port is recommended.
Since each of the two ports has its own characteristics, please check which port you will go to before planning your trip to Iriomote Island.
Also, Iriomote Island can be visited as a day trip, so it is possible to go to Iriomote Island from Ishigaki Island on the spur of the moment the day before.
Tickets and reservations can be purchased on the spot at the Ishigakijima Port Remote Islands Terminal without reservations.
Ohara Port
For those who want to spend a quiet and relaxing time at a resort, Ohara Port is the place to go.
Compared to Uehara Port, tours and other activities are not as popular.
Near the port is a residential area and many locals live there.
Several tourist attractions are also present.
For those who wish to enjoy a leisurely resort life on a remote island, a walk around Ohara Port is recommended.
Points to keep in mind when going to Iriomote Island
The sea is often rough during typhoon season and in December, so ferries at Uehara Port are also likely to be cancelled.
Here are some tips on how to get to Iriomote Island.
Be prepared for sudden rain
On Iriomote Island, sudden rainfall is possible.
It is also important to prepare for cold weather, as temperatures drop in early spring and early fall.
A windbreaker, raincoat, or other overgarment is helpful.
Note that although Iriomote Island is in the subtropical zone, it feels chilly when it rains.
Note ferry times.
Let's take a look at the notes on the Yaeyama Kanko Ferry's timetable.
The times and number of flights are subject to change even during this period."
Times are subject to change due to tides, weather and other factors."
Because of this, one should pay attention to the ferry times.
I'll come up with a plan in case of ferry cancellations.
Ferry service is subject to weather conditions.
During typhoon season and around December, ferry service may be cancelled due to strong winds.
In this case, the planned plan would not be feasible.
It makes for a smoother trip if you have other plans in place in case of an emergency.
summary
In this article, we have introduced how to get to Iriomote Island and how to access the island.
The subtropical Iriomote Island has many attractive tourist spots.
There are various famous places known to everyone and hidden popular spots, etc. If you fully understand the access to Iriomote Island introduced here, you will be able to enjoy the island more.
Iriomote Island is packed with nature, as more than 90% is covered with tropical and subtropical virgin forest.
The Iriomote wildcat and other creatures, as well as dynamic waterfalls on countless rivers, create a magnificent landscape.
It may also be a good idea to experience trekking or canoeing in a wilderness area.
Please enjoy to the fullest what you can experience only in Iriomote Island.
This article was written by.
