What is canyoning in Iriomote Island?
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Hello everyone!
Iriomote Island is an island that was raised from the sea bottom and has an undulating topography. Iriomote Island is also a treasure house of subtropical organisms. Also known as the Galapagos of the East, it has formed a unique ecosystem. In the depths of the dense mangrove jungle, nature's workings, which cannot be seen in other areas, are nurtured. Wouldn't you like to taste and feel such great nature of Iriomote Island?
An activity that can make this happen is canyon rings. This article introduces canyon rings in Iriomote Island.
Features of Canyoning in Iriomote Island
Do you know what canyoneering is? It is a coined word from the English word Canyon (valley, canyon), and is one of the outdoor sports to enjoy in a canyon as the main field. It can be said to be a natural athletic activity that utilizes the inclination, flow, and depth of the river, such as river rafting, waterfall diving, and water slides in a natural setting.
Iriomote Island was raised from the bottom of the sea, so it has a certain amount of ups and downs. Although it is a small island, it has more than 40 rivers flowing through it, and there are many small and large waterfalls, gorges, and streams, including Pinaisara Falls, which has the largest drop in Okinawa Prefecture. As a result, there are many safe canyon ring spots that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
In addition, since the activity is conducted in the nature of Iriomote Island, you can feel the grandeur of the nature. On the way to the spot, you may have to go through mangrove jungle, and you may encounter creatures unique to Iriomote Island, which is nicknamed "Galapagos of the East". This is one of the charms of canyon ring in Iriomote Island.
Canyoning spots in Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island has a certain degree of undulation, and with more than 40 rivers flowing through it, there are numerous canyon ring spots. Among them, we will introduce two spots that are loved by many people.
Urauchi River
The Urauchi River is the longest river not only in Iriomote Island but also in Okinawa Prefecture. Upstream, there are Kanpire Falls, which means the seat of God, and Mariyudu Falls, which is selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The Urauchi River has many waterfalls with gentle slopes and many spots suitable for canyoning. You can dive in the waterfall basin while shouting loudly, or enjoy a natural water slide.
Location: Aza Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: About 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: Yes
Omishe River
The Omija River is one of the most popular rivers in Iriomote Island when it comes to river fun. You can drive to the spot near the canyon ring, and it takes about 10 minutes on foot to get to the point where waterfalls and water slides are available. The slope of the river is gentle, and the spot of the basin where the waterfall is located is deep, so it is safe even if you dive off the cliff. The area is surrounded by greenery, making it a relaxing place to play.
Address: Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 15 minutes by car from Uehara Port
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Three fun points of canyoning in Iriomote Island
The thrill of jumping into the river
It takes courage to jump into the river from the top of a cliff, no matter how small. But once you do, you will be mesmerized by the thrill of the canyon ring. By experiencing it together with friends or couples, you can share the thrill of the experience, which will surely bring you closer to each other.
Exhilaration in the water of the ... canyon
Canyoneering season is still summer. The site is in the mangrove jungle, so you may feel steamed and sweltering before you get there. But it is precisely during these times that the river is cool and refreshing.
Refresh yourself by experiencing the great outdoors.
The canyon ring spot exists in the jungle of Iriomote Island. It is isolated from the present life, and feeling the great nature in one's body has a great refreshing effect.
5 recommended canyoning tours in Iriomote Island
Recommended in summer! Active Clear Stream Experience♪ Mangrove Canoeing & Canyoning
Canyoning, diving into Iriomote Island's waterfalls and mangrove rivers, is an activity that can be enjoyed only in summer. In the morning, you can enjoy the mangrove jungle of Iriomote Island by mangrove canoeing & trekking. In the afternoon, you will experience canyoning down the river while diving and swimming in the clear water of Iriomote Island.
You can feel the tropical summer of Iriomote Island in your body and get exhilarated by canyon rings while cooling down your body in the river after being burned by activities. This is a perfect plan to have a lot of fun with your friends or couples and enjoy the nature of Iriomote to the fullest.
Great Nature Athletic Experience! Omija Falls, stream climbing & waterfall play - half day course -.
One of the best parts of Iriomote Island in summer is playing in the river. Omija River is the most famous river in Iriomote Island. In Omija River, you can enjoy river climbing (shower climbing) and playing with waterfalls. You can fully enjoy both canyon ring, where you can enjoy natural pools and water slides and jump into a slightly deepened waterfall, and shower climbing, where you can go through rapids with ropes and so on.
Please enjoy river activities in the unexplored region of Iriomote Island with your friends, family, or couples and return to your childhood. I am sure you will create great memories.
Urauchi River Cruise & Mariyudu Falls & Canyoning Tour
Take a cruise on the Urauchi River, the longest river in Okinawa, and enjoy the mangrove jungle. As the river moves upstream from the sea, the quality of the water changes from sea water, brackish water, to fresh water, and the ecosystem of the creatures and plants that live there also changes. The most obvious example is the mangroves. It is interesting to watch as the shape of the mangroves changes. You can take your time to look at them or take pictures of them.
After the boat ride, you will go trekking to the Marudu Falls. The trekking course is well-maintained and safe for the elderly and children. At the arrival point, you will be able to look down on the waterfall below, which is truly a spectacular sight.
After that, it's time for the big game: canyon rings. Cool down after a day of trekking, or test your courage by jumping into a waterfall basin.
Trekking to the clear subtropical stream and the mystery of nature, Geeta Falls shower trekking & limestone cave exploration
There are many different waterfalls in Iriomote Island, but Geeta Falls is less difficult than other waterfalls. As you proceed through the jungle, you will hit the Geeta River, and after that, you will zigzag along the stream of the Geeta River to climb up the river. At the end of the tour, you will have many opportunities to enter the river, so you will feel the shower trekking. After the climb, you will reach the Geeta waterfall.
Enjoy canyon rings with all your might at the waterfall. Try hitting the waterfalls that pour down endlessly, or dive into the pools to experience the exhilaration and mystery of nature in the clear water.
In the afternoon, we will explore the caves. We will go trekking through limestone caves. Iriomote Island was raised from the bottom of the sea, so there are limestone caves everywhere. This tour will take you to the place where you can feel the mystery of limestone caves though it is a little bit maniacal.
Visitors can experience and feel the coolness of subtropical streams, waterfalls, and limestone caves.
Super Exhilarating Canyoning & Leisurely Yubu Island Sightseeing Set Plan
This is a great value set plan to enjoy a canyoning experience in Iriomote Island, an unexplored region of great nature, and sightseeing in Yubu Island, a remote island 15 minutes by buffalo car from Iriomote Island. In the morning, you will enjoy canyoning. Slide down from waterfalls and rocks and enjoy a natural water slide.
Diving from the top of the waterfall is an exhilarating experience. Try jumping off the waterfall with a splash and a shout of joy. It will surely be a great memory of your trip. After a fun-filled day of canyoning, enjoy sightseeing on Yubu Island.
Yubu Island, adjacent to Iriomote Island, is a small island made only of sand deposited by ocean currents, and the whole island is a botanical garden called "Subtropical Botanical Paradise". Yubu Island also has a building called "Shell House" where many shells living in the sea around Iriomote Island such as coconut crabs and sea turtles are mainly exhibited, and a butterfly garden where the largest butterfly in Japan, the giant tiger butterflies nicknamed "the lady of the tropics" is mainly kept. The Butterfly Garden is also home to a butterfly garden that mainly houses Japan's largest butterfly, the "Lady of the Tropics," the Oogomadara, and a variety of indoor activities.
The buffalo cart ride from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island is also a highlight of the tour, and will be a valuable experience that can only be had here.
summary
How was it? Iriomote Island is an island rich in ups and downs, so there are numerous canyon ring spots.
It is a great activity to enjoy and interact with the great outdoors, and we encourage you to experience it.
However, behind the exhilaration of the ride, there are always dangers. Please listen to the guide, wear a helmet, etc., and create enjoyable memories.
Thank you for reading to the end.
