16 recommended activities in Iriomote Island

List of Recommended Activities in Iriomote Island

What do you do when you come to Iriomote Island? It is good to spend your time leisurely, but if you go to the trouble, let's do some activities in the great nature. Iriomote Island has the best mangrove river in Japan, the clear and transparent sea, and subtropical jungle, all of which are the best fields for activities.

This time, we would like to introduce the fun you can have in Iriomote Island, which is suitable for such activities!Iriomotejima Tours offers a wide range of activities from those recommended for small children and those who want to play without getting tired to those who want to play hard in the great nature.

We will tell you about 12 of the most popular activities. There are many morning and afternoon tours, as well as full-day tours, so please find the activity that suits you best and join us!

Click here to book ferry tickets to Iriomote Island!

Pre-payment makes it easy to board the boat by simply showing your smartphone on the day of the tour.
There is no need to worry about getting caught in a line at the ticket booth on the day of the event.
Iriomote Island Ferry Tickets

 

1. Subtropical Jungle Trekking

Jungle trekking is still popular on Iriomote Island.There are still many pristine trekking fields on Iriomote Island.

One of the most recommended activities is to go to Gator Falls. The Gator Falls is a little bit hard, so it is recommended for intermediate to advanced level trekkers or those who are physically fit. This activity, which involves wading through the jungle, is an experience that should be experienced at least once by trekking enthusiasts.

Other activities include family trekking on the Myra River, which can be joined by children as young as 3 years old.

For details of Iriomote Island Jungle Trekking Tour and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

2. diving

Then, diving.The sea of Iriomote Island is said to be one of the best in the world in every respect, including the quality of coral reefs, transparency of the sea, and variety of fish, and has many core fans both in Japan and abroad.Many repeaters and people who like diving are diving in Iriomote Island, and there are fewer people who do experience diving (diving that can be done without a license) in Iriomote Island compared to Ishigaki Island.

The reason is very simple!

Because it is not well known to the general public... but the sea is more beautiful than the sea of Ishigaki Island, so those who have a diving license, those who have experienced diving in other parts of Okinawa, and even those who have no experience at all are welcome, so please feel free to visit Iriomote Island! Please feel free to enjoy this activity when you come to Iriomote Island.

For details of Iriomote Island diving tours and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

3. 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!

 

4. sightseeing in Yubu Island

Yubu Island is located next to Iriomote Island.Taketomi Island also has buffalo carts, but this is the only place in Japan where you can cross between islands by buffalo cart!Riding on a buffalo cart that moves slowly while listening to Ryukyuan music played on a sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed instrument) will make you feel like you have come to a tropical paradise.Yubu Island, which can be visited in about an hour on foot, has many spots where visitors can relax and enjoy themselves, such as the Bougainvillea Garden and the Butterfly Garden.

Iriomotejima Tours' popular plan is to do canoeing or SUP activity in the morning and sightseeing in Yubu Island in the afternoon. It is also good to relax in Yubu Island after the activities.

For more information about Yubu Island sightseeing and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

5. Canoe (kayak) tours

The most famous activity in Iriomote Island is canoeing and trekking to Pinaisara Falls.

Pinaisara Falls is the highest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture. This activity includes paddling a canoe to the waterfall, trekking and playing in the waterfall basin, and then going to the top of Pinaisara Falls from the waterfall basin. It is a bit tiring to go to the top of Pinaisara Falls, but it is the most popular activity in Iriomote Island, and the satisfaction is outstanding.

There are many other canoe activities available for those who want to do canoeing activities without getting tired, so be sure to check them out.

For details of Iriomote Island Canoe Tour and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

6. Fishing Tour

Fishing in Iriomote Island? Many people may think so, don't they? Actually, fishing in Iriomote Island is surprisingly good. It is said to be the best fishing in Japan!Depending on the day, I spend more time on the bait than I do waiting for the fish.Sometimes I could catch about 100 fish in 2.3 hours...!

Iriomotejima Tours provides full support, including baiting if you wish, so that even beginners in fishing can do it. It is probably the most exciting and thrilling activity in Iriomote Island.

For details of Iriomote Island Fishing Tour and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

7. Night Tour

Have you ever explored the jungle at night in your life? A subtropical jungle night tour is an activity that can only be experienced in a tropical country.There are various night activities in Iriomote Island, such as night jungle exploration, star gazing tours, and night mangrove canoeing, but the most popular activities are jungle exploration and star gazing.

In the jungle exploration, you can see various animals and plants including the endangered coconut crab, and just entering the jungle with the sound of animals at night is enough to excite you. The guide's commentary and the sampincha tea which you drink under the starry sky at night are delicious.

If you are staying on Iriomote Island, please try to participate in the night activities.

For details of Iriomote Island Night Tour and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

8. SUP Tour

SUP tours are unprecedentedly popular on Iriomote Island.SUP is a marine activity that first became popular in Hawaii, and it is so popular that competitions are held here in Iriomote Island every year.

Iriomotejima Tours offers SUP tours in several fields, and we especially recommend the Koola Falls SUP Cruise, which is a real jungle cruise where you can avoid overgrown mangrove branches and witness the moment when fish jump! It is a unique experience.

Trekking through the jungle for a little bit on the way, and playing in the water at the power spot "Coola Falls" which is called "to bring good luck". This activity, which can be done in only half a day (about 3 hours), should be experienced at least once in your trip to Iriomote Island.

For details of Iriomote Island SUP Tour and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

9. Barasu Island, the Island of Miracles

Do you know about this miraculous island made up of only pieces of coral reefs that don't even appear on maps?Barasu Island is rapidly gaining popularity as the most photogenic spot in Iriomote Island.Activities on such Barasu Island are inundated with reservations.

Among the most popular tours are snorkeling and walking around and taking lots of pictures ashore at Barasu Island. This is an activity that you cannot do without taking a tour, so why not make it a part of your sightseeing schedule?

Click here for details and plan list of the Miracle Island Barasu Island Tour ↓↓.

 

10. snorkeling

There are many scenic beaches in Iriomote Island.Basically, beaches in Iriomote Island are less crowded than other tourist destinations, and many of them are almost untouched by people.One of the most recommended snorkeling activities is at Hoshisuna Beach.

The attraction of snorkeling here is the variety and size of the fish. Although Hoshisuna Beach is a shallow beach, you can see more than 100 kinds of colorful fish even in the knee-deep water. And the fish can be as big as 30 or 40 centimeters! Many fish come close enough to make children cry when you give them fish sausages and other food.

Families with small children are also recommended for the star sand snorkeling activity.

For details of Iriomote Island snorkeling tour and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

11. cruising

Cruising is recommended for Hatoma Island cruise tours! Hatoma Island is an island with such beautiful sea that artist BEGIN wrote a song about it.The sea of Hatoma Island is so bright cobalt blue that it is also known as "Hatoma blue.

A popular activity for families is to explore Hatoma Island, which is surrounded by such beautiful scenery of the sea.We will take a small cruise ship to Hatoma Island. On the way, you will see the "miracle island" Barasu Island, where you can take pictures and go ashore. After arriving at Hatoma Island, you will have the entire private beach to yourself, with nothing to do but enjoy the beauty of the island.

Afterwards, you can have lunch on Hatoma Island and freely explore the sights. This is a popular cruising activity for a full day of family fun, including a little boat fishing on the way back.

For details and a list of Iriomote Island cruising tours, click here↓.

 

12. limestone cave (caving)

The attraction of caving activities in Iriomote Island is that there are limestone caves in the unexplored region that you have to walk through subtropical jungle to reach.Perhaps there are not many places in Japan that have limestone caves in such unexplored areas.

Iriomotejima Tours offers caving experience in three limestone caves, large, medium, and small. Caving in Iriomote Island is not so tiring, so even small children can participate.

For details of Iriomote Island limestone cave experience and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

13. Seasonal Activities

Seasonal activities in Iriomote Island are "Yaeyama firefly," an illumination created by nature, and "Sagaribana," which blooms only one night.

The Yaeyama fireflies, which can be seen from March to May, are said to be the smallest fireflies in Japan, and the sight of them swarming together is so brilliant that they are called a "carpet of light.

Blooming from mid-June to August, the sagaribana is an overnight flower that blooms in wetlands (near mangrove rivers) in subtropical regions. The beauty of the blooms, their ephemeral appearance that blooms only one night in bud for a long time, and the sweet smell that pervades the area and creates a different atmosphere make this flower worth seeing.

Both tours are open to babies and children, so you can bring the whole family along. Why not enjoy this seasonal activity if the time of year is right for your trip?

For more information on seasonal activities and a list of plans, click here↓↓.

 

14. Canyoning and shower climbing

Canyoning and shower climbing have become popular activities in canyons and rivers in recent years. Canyoning is an activity in which you follow the flow of a river through a sloping canyon. Along the way, you can take advantage of the natural water slides and jumps created by nature for active fun. It feels great to jump in and swim in a waterfall basin!

During the tour, a guide will lead you on a safe course and introduce athletic points. In addition, children can enjoy the tour safely as they will be wearing safety gear.

Shower climbing, on the other hand, as the word "climbing" in the name suggests, refers to climbing a stream while canyoning is a descent. Shower climbing, on the other hand, requires more physical strength than canyoning because it involves moving upstream against the current of the river.

It takes a lot of skill to go through the rapids using ropes, etc. Those who want to step up their skills can choose a course according to the level of difficulty they are comfortable with! The higher you go upstream, the clearer the river becomes, so you can experience the beautiful nature of Iriomote Island.

 

15. Hatoma Island Tour

Hatoma Island is a small island with a population of about 40 people located in the northern part of Iriomote Island. The sea of Hatoma Island is called "Hatoma blue" because of its high transparency and the high quality and quantity of corals on the seabed and its beauty.

The island itself is also called Ruri no Shima because of its unspoiled nature, and the townscape is a colorful, remote island where one can feel the history, culture, and nature of the original landscape of Okinawa. Although Hatoma Island is not so well known in Japan, the clarity of the sea is one of the highest in the world.

Since there is only one scheduled flight per day to Hatoma Island, you should consider staying overnight when visiting. Also, there are only two guest houses on the island, so be sure to check and make reservations in advance.

Snorkeling tours are popular because of the abundance of colorful coral and tropical fish in the Hatoma Blue. If you are unable to visit overnight, a tour is a good option. It is a beautiful island that has been filmed for TV dramas and sung about by BEGIN, so it is a place you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

 

16. waterfall play

Iriomote Island has not only the beauty of the sea but also the lush green nature. The jungle of Iriomote Island actually covers 90% of the island. In addition, Iriomote Island has 70% of mangroves in Japan.

There are more than 40 rivers in Iriomote Island, and there are many waterfalls in proportion. There are Pinaisara Falls, which boasts the highest drop of 55 meters in Okinawa Prefecture, Maludu Falls, which is selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan, and Kanpire Falls, which continues 200 meters and is called the seat of God. The waterfalls have a different charm compared to those on the mainland, so please visit the waterfalls nestled in the jungle of Iriomote Island!

 

A set plan including a ferry ticket is also recommended!

Iriomote Island, which belongs to the Yaeyama Islands, will beworld natural heritage siteregistered in the

Visitors can enjoy unspoiled wilderness and a variety of activity experiences.

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

For those who have trouble purchasing and booking ferry tickets, we offer a "ferry ticket" and "activity" package.set planis recommended!

Rather than booking the ferry and activities 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

This time, we introduced 12 activities you can play in Iriomote Island. Did you find any activity you would like to try in Iriomote Island?

Iriomotejima Tours offers more than 100 kinds of activities, some of which we could not introduce this time! Please feel free to contact Iriomotejima Tours if you want to know more! We will make the best activity and plan according to your travel schedule and physical strength. You can also make reservations on the day before or the day of the tour, so even if you forgot to think of a plan to play at the last minute, it is okay.

⇒All Iriomote Island ActivitiesFor more information on

 

Click here to book ferry tickets to Iriomote Island!

Pre-payment makes it easy to board the boat by simply showing your smartphone on the day of the tour.
There is no need to worry about getting caught in a line at the ticket booth on the day of the event.
Iriomote Island Ferry Tickets