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Around Iriomote Island
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Round Iriomote Island
If you visit Iriomote Island, wouldn't you like to go around Iriomote Island?
In this issue, we will introduce the charm of Iriomote Island and show you how to go around Iriomote Island.
We will cover the typical means of transportation that are actually available to make the round trip.
If you want to enjoy Iriomote Island to the fullest, please refer to this page.
What is Iriomote Island?
Iriomote Island is located in the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
It is the largest island in the Yaeyama Islands and the second largest in Okinawa Prefecture after the main island of Okinawa.
Geographically, it is located near Taiwan, at latitude 24 degrees north and longitude 123 degrees east.
The climate of Iriomote Island belongs to a subtropical oceanic climate, and the average annual temperature is mild at about 23℃.
Iriomote Island itself is full of charm
The entire island of Iriomote is part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, and about 90 percent of its area is covered with subtropical native vegetation.
This pristine wilderness is home to 15 national monuments, including the Iriomote wildcat. There are also about 40 rivers, both large and small, and many of their estuaries are home to virgin mangrove forests.
Among them, the Nakama River basin is said to account for 25 percent of the total mangrove area in Japan, and its grandeur is overwhelming other areas.
The sea surrounding Iriomote Island is home to some 400 marine species, and the coral reef band between the island and Ishigaki Island is the largest in Japan, which is also part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park.
Because of such a rich natural environment, Iriomote Island is called the last unexplored region in Japan or the Galapagos of the East, and is a very attractive island.
Great Nature in the World Heritage Site
Iriomote Island is known as an island of biodiversity, with globally precious creatures and abundant native forest vegetation.
Iriomote Island, with such great nature, has been recognized as a registered World Heritage site.
How to get to Iriomote Island
What is the best way to get to Iriomote Island?
Here we will introduce access to Iriomote Island.
From Ishigaki Island to Uehara Port or Ohara Port in Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island is reached by boat from Ishigaki Island.
Therefore, it is necessary to go to Ishigaki Island first.
There are airplane flights to Ishigaki Island from various locations, so access to Ishigaki Island is very convenient.
There are two ports in Iriomote Island, Ohara Port and Uehara Port. Ohara Port is located in the southeast of Iriomote Island, and the other Uehara Port is located in the north of Iriomote Island.
These two ports are about 50 minutes apart by car, but it is efficient to choose which port to start from, depending on how you spend your time in Iriomote Island and how long you stay. If you want to enjoy marine activities, Uehara Port is convenient.
The Urauchi River, where the best snorkeling, jungle cruises, and numerous waterfalls can be viewed, is only a 10-minute drive away.
In contrast, Ohara Port is very convenient for those who also plan to travel from Iriomote Island to the outlying islands.
Boats depart from Ohara Port to Taketomi Island and Kohama Island.
Yubu Island, famous for its buffalo cart transportation, is also located near Ohara Port.
Also, near Ohara Port, there is Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center to see Iriomote wildcat.
This is the perfect place for it.
Getting Around Iriomote Island
After arriving at Iriomote Island, you may be wondering what means of transportation is available and which is the best way to go around the island.
Here are some typical means of transportation on Iriomote Island.
rent-a-car
The first thing that comes to mind is probably car rental.
Rent-a-car is a popular means of transportation for tourists in Iriomote Island. The good point of renting a car is that families and couples can move around freely.
A rental car is a must, especially if you plan to go out for a walk or dinner at night when local buses and other transportation services are closed.
Motorcycle Rental
Rental bikes allow you to move around as freely as a rental car. As you move around dashingly and dynamically on the bike, you can feel the great nature of Iriomote Island with your whole body.
There are mopeds available for rent that can be driven by those who only have a car license, so mopeds are recommended if you want to enjoy the island casually. However, since there are squalls in Iriomote Island, you need to pay attention to the weather when traveling by motorcycle. It is recommended to carry rain gear so that you will not be panicked in case of sudden weather changes.
rental bicycle
For those who are physically fit, bicycle rental is recommended.
Bicycling while experiencing the great nature of Iriomote Island may be the most enjoyable means of transportation to enjoy Iriomote Island.
Also, for those who are a little concerned about their physical fitness but would like to get around by bicycle, we recommend electric bicycles. Some car rental companies near Ohara Port offer electric bicycle rental service, so please check with them.
scheduled bus
There is a bus route that travels from the Toyohara area in the south to Shirahama Port in the northwest in about two hours.
You may experience the flow of time in Iriomote Island as you take a leisurely route bus ride with the mangrove forests and the sea on both sides. Please pay attention to the bus timetable because the operation hours of the buses are limited.
The basic operating hours are two buses in the morning, one around noon, and one around evening. Buses arrive and depart at long intervals, so when traveling only by bus, plan how to spend your time considering the time it takes to board the next bus.
Popular attractions to visit during your round trip
Now that you know the charm of Iriomote Island and how to get around the island, we will introduce some popular tourist spots that you must visit during your round trip.
beach of star sand
Hoshi-suna beach is famous for finding star-shaped sand. Hoshi-suna-no-hama is a popular beach in the northern part of Iriomote Island. The sea here has calm waves and high transparency, so you can enjoy snorkeling.
Urauchi River
The Urauchi River is the largest river in Okinawa Prefecture, said to be home to more than 400 species of fish, and the mangrove forests on both sides are said to be the largest in Japan.
Wildlife also visits the water's edge, and the way the water changes with the passage of time is a dynamic experience in the great outdoors.
The Urauchi River will offer a variety of water activities such as jungle cruises, canoeing, trekking and lure fishing.
Yubu Island (Hiroshima-Nagoya Island)
Yubu Island is famous for being crossed by buffalo cart. Actually, you can also cross the island on foot, so you can enjoy the pleasure of changing the means of transportation between the outward and return journeys.
The circumference of the island is only about 2 km, but the whole island is a subtropical botanical garden. Yubu Island is very rich in sightseeing spots, such as "Buffalo Pond" where buffaloes bathe, facilities where you can see creatures living around Iriomote Island such as butterfly garden and shell house, and "Manta Beach" marked by an objet d'art of manta ray.
Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center
The Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center is a facility established as a center for conservation activities to protect and educate the public about the Iriomote wildcat and other rare wildlife and nature on the island.
It takes about 15 minutes by car from Ohara Port.
There is an exhibition room about the natural environment and wildlife on the island, with a focus on the Iriomote wildcat.
Tudumari Beach
Tudumari beach, located near the mouth of the Urauchi River, is famous for its very fine sand.
The fine-grained sand is easy to walk on, even with bare feet, and is suitable for swimming and playing in the sand with children.
The beach is shaped like an arc and is commonly known as "Tsuki ga hama" (moon beach).
Points to keep in mind when circling Iriomote Island
We have introduced many charms of Iriomote Island, but we would like to briefly summarize some points of caution that you should pay attention to when you go around the island.
Protect the bobcat! Beware of speed limits!
The Iriomote wildcat, a rare wild animal found only on Iriomote Island, is a national special natural treasure.
As of 2008, only about 100 animals were confirmed to inhabit the area, and the number is declining.
Therefore, the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center and other organizations are taking measures to protect Iriomote wildcat and other wild animals.
When visiting Iriomote Island as a tourist, you should be aware of the speed limit when traveling by car or motorcycle.
Drive with extreme caution to prevent wildlife from being involved in traffic accidents.
Note return ferry times for day trips.
Travel to Iriomote Island is by ferry from Ishigaki Island, but you need to pay attention to the last time of the ferry.
The last departure time of the ferry to Ishigaki Island is around 5:00 p.m., so it is essential to plan your arrival time at the port.
Let's be prepared for sudden rain!
Iriomote Island has a subtropical maritime climate, so there are squalls.
Squalls are brief and heavy rains that look like overturned buckets of water.
Therefore, in addition to carrying rain gear, it is advisable to check in advance where you can take shelter if a squall starts.
It is also important to wear clothes that can easily dry when wet.
summary
Iriomote Island is a tropical island rich in unspoiled nature and a registered World Heritage site.
It is easily accessible from Ishigaki Island and serves as a base for crossing from Iriomote Island to other remote islands.
Iriomote Island is full of attractions, as there are sightseeing spots all over the island.
Why don't you try circling Iriomote Island by making full use of various means of transportation?
Thank you for watching until the end.
This article was written by.
