There are a lot of fun things to do in Iriomote Island! Let's get to know the activities and tours you can enjoy in Iriomote Island!

Introducing the outdoor fun of Iriomote Island, full of nature!

We will introduce you to outdoor fun in Iriomote Island.

In fact, more than 90 percent of Iriomote Island is untouched subtropical virgin forest. However, when you say that most of the island is a jungle, you may be wondering what exactly you can experience, how long it takes, what you need to bring, and so on.

Whether you want to exercise with all your might, spend your time leisurely, or have a short stay, there is a recommended way to spend your time in Iriomote Island for each of you. So, this time, we will introduce 21 ways to enjoy Iriomote Island. Please refer to them when you go to Iriomote Island.

Popular Iriomote Island Tour (with Ishigaki - Iriomote ferry ticket) is here↓.

Click here for ferry reservations to Iriomote Island.

 

1. canoe

Canoeing in Iriomote Island is an activity that anyone can enjoy by riding a canoe and paddling in the great nature jungle. Iriomote Island, located at the southernmost tip of Japan and home to one of the largest mangroves in Japan, has been selected as a candidate for registration as a World Natural Heritage site, and is now attracting the most attention. The view of mangrove roots floating on the surface of the water, just like the Amazon River, is a unique and original landscape in Japan, and cruising around the island is more exhilarating than you can imagine.

Another attraction of canoeing is the sense of oneness with nature. One of the joys of canoeing is that you can head slowly to places that are inaccessible on foot, and when you get tired, you can leave your paddle behind and lie down in the canoe at your leisure. There, you will feel the pleasure of paddling by yourself for the first time, the speed is easier than you imagine, and you will feel the sensation of gliding on the surface of the water for the first time. Please try various canoeing experiences when you come to Iriomote Island.

 

2. SUP

SUP stands for stand-up paddle surfing. The long, thick board is highly stable, and because it is paddled, it is an easy activity that can be enjoyed even in calm seas with no wind or waves, making it a new type of activity that is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, regardless of age or gender. The use of paddles also makes it possible to travel long distances, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages in a variety of ways, including SUP cruising and SUP fishing.

SUP is famous as an activity that can be enjoyed all year round, not only in summer but also in autumn and winter, because all you have to do is to dip your feet in the sea or river, and it is becoming more popular every year here in Iriomote Island. Especially, SUP in Iriomote Island is popular such as SUP in unexplored areas. Why don't you enjoy cruising in the great nature unique to Iriomote Island by SUP tour?

 

3. night SUP

As I mentioned above about SUP, you can see a different atmosphere and face of Iriomote Island at night by night SUP. As I mentioned above, SUP is an activity to cruise on the water, and it is very popular now. If you have come all the way to Iriomote Island, I recommend SUP in the unexplored jungle, but night SUP is also highly recommended.

As a reason for the recommendation, there is almost no light at night in Iriomote Island, and you can see beautiful starry sky. You can enjoy star bathing and forest bathing at the same time, so please try to look at the sky during night sap. If the weather is good, you can see the starry sky from the top of the SUP so much that you don't need lights. In particular, the starry sky of the Yaeyama Islands including Iriomote Island has a possibility to be recognized as the first starry sky protected area in Japan, so why don't you look at the starry sky while night sipping?

 

4. Yaeyama Remote Islands Tour

The remote islands of Yaeyama.Efficient SightseeingFor those who want to do so, a tour around the islands is recommended.

This tour allows you to fully enjoy the charms of Yaeyama's remote islands such as Iriomote Island, where 90% of the island is covered by jungle, Taketomi Island, where traditional townscapes remain, and Yubu Island, which is reached by a buffalo crossing the sea from Iriomote Island.

Unlike marine activities,Basically, it never gets wet.Therefore, it is also recommended for those who do not like the sea.

Click here for popular island tours

Check out more Yaeyama Remote Islands Tour Plans!

 

5. Barasu Island, the Island of Miracles

Looking out to sea from the Uehara area, you can see a small white island offshore, which is Barasu Island, a miraculous island that Iriomote Island is not on the map of Japan. Barasu Island is an uninhabited island with a diameter of only a few dozen meters formed by pieces of white coral reefs, and there are many repeaters who come to Iriomote Island every year to visit Barasu Island.

The surrounding area has beautiful coral reefs and is home to many colorful tropical fish such as bear clams. It is known as a point where everything related to the sea is available, not only cruising, but also diving, snorkeling tours, and fishing tours. Once you see it, it will be an unforgettable memory for a lifetime, so why not take a picture and post a photo of Barasu Island on social networking sites?

 

6. Fishing

The Yaeyama Islands, where Iriomote Island is located, have beautiful seas and a mild climate, making it a great fishing ground with plenty of bait. Fish in the sea around Yaeyama, where fishing is not actively conducted, are not accustomed to fishing, so they easily bite the bait. Therefore, it is possible to spend more time on the bait than catching fish. If you have never fished before, you can easily enjoy fishing, and the excitement you feel when you catch a fish is unmatched by any other activity.

The most commonly caught fish are colorful ones such as brown akadine, vermilion snapper, yellow bitterling, etc. In Iriomote Island, you can also catch large fish such as kampachi, ichibiki, bonito, isomaguro, deep-sea fish, and other fish that are hard to catch in other places. If it is interesting, you can also catch bluefin reef squid and giant eels depending on the point. Besides these, it is said that there are more than 100 kinds of fish that can be caught only in the Yaeyama Islands including Iriomote Island, so you may be able to catch fish that even the guide has never seen before. Why don't you leave a page of your best memory in Iriomote Island?

 

7. snorkeling

The Yaeyama Islands including Iriomote Island are surrounded by coral reefs. There, colorful and shining coral reefs, which are hard to see in other places, are right there, and many tropical fishes inhabit around the corals. You can enjoy the underwater world like you have never seen before on a snorkeling tour in Iriomote Island. Therefore, it is not too much to say that all around the island are snorkeling points.

It is said that there are about 1,300 kinds of corals in the world, and Iriomote Island accounts for about 400 of them. In addition, the sea of Yaeyama Islands is said to be one of the best in the world in terms of transparency, variety of fish species, and beauty of coral reefs. You will definitely be impressed and healed when you see the inside of such Iriomote Island's sea.

To our delight, snorkeling tours offer rental equipment, so you can easily participate in snorkeling with nothing more than your swimsuit on. If you come all the way to Iriomote Island, please try snorkeling at least once to experience this excitement.

 

8. Night Tour

It is safe to say that the great nature at night is one of the must-see points when you visit Iriomote Island. You can go on an expedition to the jungle at night in pitch darkness in search of nocturnal creatures, or visit secret places that only the locals know about.

One of the specialties of the night tour is to go exploring in search of coconut crabs, which are listed as an endangered species. The coconut crab grows to a very large size, 4 to 5 kilograms in the largest ones. Most commonly seen are less than 1 kg, but they are still worth seeing.

The best part of the night tour is that you can see not only coconut crabs but also various wild creatures of Iriomote Island. They change the places to explore in the night tour according to the situation and weather at that time from several best spots carefully selected by the night tour, such as places where sea turtles lay eggs, where you can see many fireflies, and where you can see beautiful starry sky, in places where even local residents hardly know. The starry sky of Iriomote Island is famous for being one of the most beautiful in Japan, and if you are lucky, you can even see the Milky Way with the naked eye. If you stay in Iriomote Island, be sure to experience the night tour.

 

9. Experience Diving

When you come to Iriomote Island, why don't you dive in the clean sea of Iriomote Island, which boasts of one of the clearest waters in the world and is one of the best in terms of species and number of fish. And above all, you can see colorful coral reefs.

For those who want to try not only snorkeling but also swimming deeper into the sea, there is an easy tour for diving in Iriomote Island without a diving license. You would like to try diving, but you may be worried about whether you can remove your ears and breathe properly. For those who want to dive for the first time or those who have experience diving but without diving license, you can rest assured that one instructor for every two people will dive with you.

The dive experience is designed for beginners with a reasonable time limit of 30~40 minutes per dive, so that even beginners can dive with only a swimsuit, towel, and equipment. It is highly recommended as you can see colorful coral reefs and interestingly shaped fish at a distance that does not require a diving license.

 

10. Fun Diving

Unlike the experience diving introduced above, this is an introduction to fun diving, which requires a license. Fun diving differs from experience diving in that you can enjoy more serious diving. The sea around the Yaeyama Islands is one of the best diving spots in Japan in terms of size, transparency, variety of fish, and beauty of coral reefs. There are also activities designed for those who want to have fun as soon as they arrive at Iriomote Island, such as fun diving which can be done even if you arrive at Iriomote Island at noon.

As explained above, a diving license is required for fun diving. However, you can fully enjoy the unique diving experience of Iriomote Island with its outstanding number of coral reef species in the world, in addition to the clear water, large and colorful fish, and fantastic caves. You will be surely satisfied with the points where you can see beautiful colorful coral reefs, such as the point where thousands or tens of thousands of small fishes are schooling together, or the point where there are schools of large fishes over 1 meter in length, and other creatures that can be seen depending on weather and seasons. Please come and see with your own eyes the spectacular scenery that words cannot describe.

 

11. Diving License Course

There is also an account for acquiring a license for diving that requires qualifications such as fun diving as explained above. Iriomote Island, which is said to be one of the three most beautiful islands in the world, is said to have about 400 kinds of coral reefs out of about 1,300 kinds of coral reefs in the world. Why don't you acquire a diving license in such Iriomote Island and join the ranks of divers?

Many people who come to Iriomote Island for sightseeing would like to obtain a diving license, an open water license. Some plans include educational materials in the course fee, so that you can read them over from time to time even after obtaining the license, so that you can enjoy diving and learn well to obtain a diving license.

Although the burden on the body changes when the depth exceeds 20 meters, you can reach the bottom of the sea and see many deep-sea fishes. Since the sea of Iriomote Island is one of the best in the world, how about enjoying full enjoyment of diving in this Iriomote Island with high transparency and a lot of fishes, while obtaining a license?

 

12. Jungle trekking

More than 90% of Iriomote Island is covered by subtropical virgin forest, and is considered a candidate for registration as a World Natural Heritage site in 2019 or later. We will introduce a jungle trekking tour where you can walk through the trees of the virgin forest and enjoy with your eyes and your ears while listening to animals chirping. In the mangrove jungle of Iriomote Island, once you step into the jungle, the green world spreads further. While trekking in such a green world, you will lose your mind and be charged with healing and power away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Iriomote Island is so attractive with its great nature that the whole island is a candidate for the World Natural Heritage. The most attractive part of the trekking tour is that you can meet and interact with many animals and rare plants unique to the subtropical zone, which you can never see in ordinary days. For example, in the area called Totoro Forest, you can see Totoro leaves and trees that appear in Jurassic Park and can only be seen in Iriomote Island in Japan. In addition, what you can see in Iriomote Island changes greatly depending on the time of year and the time of day, so you can feel the change of nature no matter how many times you visit.

In addition, trekkers can play in the waterfall pools at many waterfalls, including Coola Falls, and enjoy soaking in the water and letting the sweat from the trekking go away. Instead of diving into the ocean on a trekking tour, why not heal your body and mind by diving into a waterfall basin full of negative ions with your body still on fire after trekking?

 

13. cruising

If you have come all the way to Iriomote Island, why not take a cruise ship and enjoy cruising slowly through the sea and rivers, enjoying the scenery and emotions of the surroundings? Iriomote Island, a tropical resort island, has not only beautiful sea with colorful coral reefs but also nature perfect for cruising such as a big river flowing through the jungle. Iriomote Island offers various types of cruising tours such as seeing coral reefs and colorful fish in the ocean, sightseeing on the Urauchi River, the longest river in Okinawa Prefecture, or visiting nearby uninhabited islands.

The reason why the island is called a miracle island is because it is said to be one of only two islands in the world made of coral reef fragments, not just rocking on a boat, but also landing directly on Barasu Island using a flat boat with a flat bottom suitable for landing. It is a small island that does not appear on maps and disappears under the sea during high tide. The contrast between the pure white island of coral reef pieces and the emerald green sea of Iriomote Island is a great SNS picture.

Also recommended for a family trip is cruising to Hatoma Island, a small island with a population of about several dozen people, called Ruri no Shima, located about 10 minutes by boat from Iriomote Island. The sea of Hatoma Island is said to have the cleanest sea in the world, and it is famous among Yaeyama people with the nickname of "Hatoma Blue," but it is still a hidden spot unknown by tourists.

A full day of snorkeling, walking, and other activities awaits you on a cruise to Hatoma Island. You can enjoy the feeling of a private beach on Hatoma Island, which is almost completely deserted, and it is such a beautiful and secluded beach that you should definitely see it at least once in your life.

 

14. Mangrove cruising

In Iriomote Island, you can enjoy not only ocean cruising but also mangrove river cruising tours. The cruise on Urauchi River is a sightseeing boat that takes you slowly around the mangrove jungle, so children and elderly people can participate in the cruise without anxiety. During the cruise, you will be able to move slowly along the Urauchi River, the largest river in Okinawa Prefecture, while seeing the real mangrove jungle of Iriomote Island, also known as the Galapagos of the East, up close and personal.

If you have come all the way to the mangroves, after the 30-minute one-way cruise, you can go on a short trek to see Mariyudu Falls, selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, and Kanpire Falls, which is 200 meters long. Seeing the waterfalls up close is a very powerful experience with the sound and spray. Kampilay Falls is also known as the seat of God. If you are physically fit, why not join us?

 

15. sightseeing in Yubu Island

Iriomote Island is the last unexplored island in Japan, and can be reached by a 45-minute boat ride from Ishigaki Island. Yubu Island, located just across the sea from Iriomote Island, is a small island with a circumference of about 2 km, made of sand deposited by the ocean currents. Since the population of the island is only a dozen or so, it is an easy sightseeing spot that can be visited in about an hour even if you walk slowly around the island.

Access from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island is by a buffalo cart. The sea between Iriomote Island and Yubu Island is about 1m deep even at high tide, and usually only as deep as an adult's knee, so it is not impossible to go on foot, but it is common to go by a buffalo cart that moves slowly.

To take a buffalo car ride, purchase a ticket at a place called Tabi-no-Eki (traveler's station), about 30 minutes by car from Uehara Port. This ticket also includes a drink ticket that can be used at a restaurant on Yubu Island, so it is highly recommended.

Upon arrival at Yubu Island, you will be greeted by a popular idol, a white-colored buffalo, and you can see the unique tropical flora and fauna at the subtropical botanical garden on Yubu Island. Particularly recommended are the chrysalis of the giant tiger butterflies, which are said to be the largest butterflies in Japan. The golden chrysalis of the giant tiger butterflies are very popular among Chinese people, as golden ones are believed to be good for money.

You can also visit a buffalo breeding facility, see a spectacular view of Kohama Island and undersea corals from Manta Beach, and eat gelato at Yubu Island Tea House, so even though it is a small island, you will be very satisfied with a relaxing sightseeing tour.

 

16. caving

Caving is an exploration activity to enter caves with an inquiring mind, and its popularization as an outdoor sport has made cave tours more popular in Iriomote Island in recent years. All caving tours here in Iriomote Island are in limestone caves, which are side caves formed in underground rivers, so they are the type of exploration while getting wet. Caving is a safe course for families, friends, and couples, so we take safety as the first priority, and we are fully equipped with knee pads, elbow pads, helmets, and so on.

In addition to caving, you can also see various plants and other plants on the way to the caves. You can also see trees with roots shaped like planks, which are famous as a photo spot. You can also see a variety of trees unique to the subtropical zone. The most fascinating thing about caving is the power of the limestone caves, which are wild in their own right and a must-do activity at least once in your life.

Despite the relative ease of the course, it is a satisfying standard of caving, so why not make it an adventure?

 

17. canyoning

Canyoning is an activity that takes you down a canyon with a difference in elevation, where you can enjoy natural pools and water slides created by nature, or jump into a slightly deeper waterfall basin. Experience a natural athletic jungle that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Canyoning and shower climbing can be enjoyed in Gunma, Okutama, and other places in the Kanto region, but if you like river sports, you should experience canyoning in Iriomote Island at least once in your life. In other areas, you can enjoy natural slides of various shapes, stream climbing, potholes, etc. Canyoning in Iriomote Island is really rich in nature compared to other places. As you go deeper and deeper into the jungle, you will enter an area that is aptly named "unexplored region". Canyoning through the jungle, which you have only seen in movies and TV programs, is exceptional.

In addition to subtropical plants such as saxifrage, nipa palm, and mangroves, another attraction of this island is that you can see Iriomote wild cat, coconut crab, and many other creatures that are not easily seen anywhere else in Japan except Iriomote Island.

 

18. Shower Climbing

Shower climbing, as the name implies, is an activity in which climbers use ropes and other equipment to navigate through rapids! It is said to require more physical strength than canyoning because you are going against the current of the river, but the best part is that you can see the river water becoming clearer and the greenery deepening as you progress.

The Nakama River has the largest virgin mangrove forest in Japan, and there are waterfalls that have been selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, making it a true treasure house of nature. It is designated as a candidate for the World Natural Heritage site, and you can enjoy shower climbing in the untouched jungle of Iriomote Island while feeling the nature with your whole body, which is an experience only possible in Iriomote Island where the entire island is designated as a national park, so why not give it a try?

 

19. Phantom flower, Sagaribana

Have you ever heard of it? Sagaribana, a phantom flower that blooms only one night, grows wild in mangroves and other wetlands in the Yaeyama Islands, including Iriomote Island.

Sagaribana buds gradually begin to open in the evening, and at night they produce beautiful white, pink, and red flowers in the shape of fireworks. The next morning, they fall to the water in the morning mist, making a sound like Cinderella's romantic and fleeting flowers.

Sagaribana bloom like fireworks for one night only, and then fleetingly fall before dawn... Our momentary encounter with such sagaribana is like that of a weaver princess and Hikoboshi. This tour offers a different view of the jungle from the usual one, so of course, first-timers are welcome,

 

20. Yaeyama goggle-eyed firefly

Yaeyama firefly is also known as the golden firefly. It is the most beautiful firefly in the Yaeyama Islands and can be seen only in some mountainous areas in Iriomote. It is called the smallest firefly in Japan, and its body length is only 2 to 4 mm. Yaeyama fireflies are not scattered in various places, but live in a swarm of several thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, in one place.

Yaeyama fireflies start to glow around 6:00~7:00 pm, just after the beautiful sunset of Iriomote Island. At first, one or two fireflies begin to glow in flashes, and as the night deepens, the number of fireflies increases rapidly. If you are lucky, you may be able to see several thousand Yaeyama fireflies at one time. The small clusters of light from the Yaeyama fireflies are so beautiful that they can even outshine urban illuminations, and the thousands of fireflies cover the surrounding ground with light, making it a carpet of light or the Milky Way on earth.

The carpet of light in Iriomote Island is a special time only during the summer season, so please come and see it with your loved ones and others.

 

A set plan including a ferry ticket is also recommended!

Iriomote Island, where 90% of the island is covered by jungle, is expected to beworld natural heritage siteIt has also been registered with the

To such Iriomote Island, from Ishigaki IslandferryIt can only be reached by

For those who don't want to bother with ferry reservations, the "ferry ticket" and "activities" are combined.set planis recommended!

Rather than booking each ferry and activity separatelyeconomicaland save you the trouble of purchasing a ferry ticket.

Click here for popular Iriomote Island tours (set plan)

Check out more details about Iriomote Island tours from Ishigaki Island!

 

summary

How was it? This time, we have introduced 20 playgrounds in Iriomote Island. There are various activities from aggressive ones to more relaxed ones. When you visit Iriomote Island, why don't you choose one of the above activities according to your own plan? I hope it will be of some help to you.

Click here for ferry reservations to Iriomote Island.