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Must be impressed! Beautiful night view of Iriomote Island
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Let's see the night view in Iriomote Island!
Iriomote Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Okinawa Prefecture.
Many of you may know it as an impressive island with a large forest covering the island and the blue sea surrounding it.
As the best part of such Iriomote Island sightseeing, you may have a strong impression of daytime fun, such as enjoying activities and exploring the island.
However, the charm of Iriomote Island is not limited to daytime.
On this island, you will encounter a spectacular natural night view that you will not find anywhere else.
Where is Iriomote Island?
Iriomote Island is located about 440 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa, where Naha City is located.
It belongs to the same Yaeyama Islands as Ishigaki Island, a popular resort destination.
90% of the island is forested and there are almost no street lights?
Iriomote Island is characterized by the fact that 90% of the island is covered with forests.
Iriomote Island is called the "Galapagos of the East" because of its many precious plants and animals, including the Iriomote wildcat, which is a special natural treasure.
The roads that have been built on the island do not go all the way around the island, due to the fact that the forests have not been cut down or developed in order to protect this rare environment even from a global perspective.
Because of this, there are almost no streetlights on the island, and at night the entire island is enveloped in a darkness that is hard to imagine in modern times.
The starry sky of Iriomote Island is truly a natural planetarium.
As mentioned above, the island is pitch black at night, so the night view is the exact opposite of artificial city lights.
Looking up at the night sky from the darkness of the ground, one can witness a natural planetarium depicted in the sky.
Constellations seen in Iriomote Island
The lineup of constellations visible in the skies of the northern and southern hemispheres changes drastically.
Typical examples are the Big Dipper and the Southern Cross.
Basically, the Big Dipper is familiar as a constellation that can be seen only in the northern hemisphere sky, while the Southern Cross is visible only in the southern hemisphere sky.
However, exceptionally, both the Big Dipper and the Southern Cross can be seen on Iriomote Island depending on the season.
The latitude of 24 degrees north is a good advantage, and from Iriomote Island, we can see as many as 84 of the 88 types of constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union as constellations.
Designated as Japan's first starry sky reserve
Iriomote Island, with a population of about 2,400, does not have heavy car traffic and no factories that emit smoke on a large scale.
The air is therefore very clear and contains little dust, making it possible to clearly see starlight.
Iriomote Island was designated as Japan's first starry sky reserve by the International Dark Sky Association of the U.S. because of the perfect combination of two conditions: a low-light environment and a latitude that allows a wide view of the night sky.
The splendor of the starry heavens of Iriomote Island is internationally recognized.
Here is the best place to see the night view in Iriomote Island! Recommended 3 starry sky spots
Now, I would like to introduce three spots in Iriomote Island that are particularly suitable for viewing the night view.
All of these spots are sure to offer spectacular starry skies.
View on the beach! Tudumari Beach
If you want to view the stars in a location unique to Okinawa, we recommend looking up at the night sky while listening to the murmur of the waves on the beach at night.
Among the many beaches in Iriomote Island, Tudumari Beach at Unarizaki in the northern part of the island is especially suitable for star-gazing.
This is because this beach is formed by piled up sand, which is rare on the island.
Other beaches are often piles of broken, whitened pieces of coral, which are beautiful but not very suitable for walking barefoot.
In this respect, Tudumari beach is smooth sand, and together with the serene atmosphere of a private beach, it is very suitable for strolling barefoot or sitting back and looking up at the stars.
Good access! Unarizaki Park
A starry sky spot called Unalizaki Park is also located near Tudumari Beach.
It is a popular place during the daytime as well as a spectacular spot with a panoramic view of the East China Sea from its two-story observation deck, and is easily accessible, only a 10-minute drive from Uehara Port.
Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery at any time of the day, but because of the unobstructed location, the starry sky seen from this spot at night is truly exceptional.
The path to the observatory has a well-maintained promenade, making it safe to walk at night in the dark.
If it is the Southern Cross! Minamikaze Mita Beach
If you want to enjoy the starry sky unique to Iriomote Island, you should also check out spots where you can easily observe the Southern Cross, which is rare in Japan.
After an hour's drive from Uehara Port and a few more kilometers from the end of the prefectural road, you can reach the beach of Minamikazumida.
Since the Southern Cross visible from Iriomote Island appears low in the sky, the prerequisite for seeing it is to be able to see the southern sky.
The beach at Minamikaze Mita faces south, so if the time and weather are right, you can clearly see the Southern Cross over the horizon.
Iriomote Island is a starry sky spot everywhere!
We have introduced some spots where it is easy to observe the starry sky. In Iriomote Island, you can enjoy the beautiful starry sky not only in these places but also in other places where there are no lights nearby and the overhead is not covered.
It will be very fun to visit various places to find your own spot, since the stars you can and cannot see will vary depending on the direction of the field of view, such as the Southern Cross.
Let's go see the starry sky in Iriomote Island! Starry sky & Jungle night tour
In Iriomote Island, where stargazing spots are scattered throughout the island, there are also tours that allow visitors to appreciate the starry sky while touring the jungle at night.
It is not easy to walk around the jungle at night on your own, but with a local guide, you can have a fun and adventurous experience.
The star-filled sky seen through the trees in the dark jungle will surely be a moving experience that will last a lifetime.
You can also meet nocturnal creatures!
Another excellent aspect of jungle night tours is that many of the creatures in the jungle are inactive during the daytime, and you can meet them.
This is a highly recommended activity because it allows visitors to come into contact with precious creatures that can only be encountered here.
Starry sky & mangrove! Night SUP/Canoe Tour
Many people also enjoy SUP (stand-up paddle surfing), which involves paddling on a surfboard, and canoeing as evening activities.
It is popular for its luxurious content, where you can look up at the night sky while feeling the murmuring of the river while paddling leisurely through the mangrove forests that are unique to Iriomote Island.
The low level of difficulty and danger of all of these activities makes them enjoyable for men and women of all ages.
Points to note when viewing the night view in Iriomote Island
Now, Iriomote Island is full of good things at night, but you have to keep in mind some precautions since you are sightseeing in an unusual environment of a remote island.
Beware of dangerous creatures
First of all, always consider the possibility of dangerous creatures around you when entering a jungle or other environment.
Most of Iriomote Island is a virgin forest that has not been touched by humans, so there is a possibility of poisonous snakes and scorpions.
Be very aware that you should not bypass touching an unfamiliar creature.
Overnight stay required, of course.
Iriomote Island is a remote island, so there is no way to leave the island at night.
If you want to enjoy Iriomote Island at night, you will inevitably spend the night on the island, so be sure to make arrangements for lodging.
I'll spray with insect repellent.
In addition to being on the lookout for poisonous and life-threatening creatures, visitors entering the jungle should also be wary of insect bites.
Depending on the place you visit, you may be attacked by large numbers of mosquitoes, so be sure to use insect repellant spray carefully.
No living creatures are allowed to be brought home.
In order to protect the precious environment of Iriomote Island, various laws forbid the taking of living creatures off the island.
It is not only a moral issue, of course, but it is also an act punishable by law, so be sure to keep the island's creatures on the island.
summary
That is all I have to tell you about Iriomote Island at night.
Iriomote Island in the daytime is full of active attractions, but at night it is a little different and shows a romantic side, which is a big attraction.
Why not visit Iriomote Island and experience one of the best starry skies in Japan?
This article was written by.
