Is it always good to wake up early in Iriomote Island? Recommended spots and activities!
Table of Contents
If you are planning to go to Iriomote Island, have you made plans for early morning?
Speaking of Iriomote Island, many of you may be planning to go jungle trekking through the wilderness or snorkeling at Ishinishi lagoon, and some of you may be thinking of participating in a night tour. But if you are going to Iriomote Island, please wake up early in the morning and feel the great nature! You will have a pleasant morning that you cannot feel in your daily life, and you can start the best day of your life.
Click here to buy ferry tickets to remote islands.
Only Tours can make ferry reservations! Since you pay in advance, you can easily board the ferry by simply showing your smartphone on the day of the cruise. You don't have to worry about getting caught in the queue at the ticket booth on the day of boarding.
Click here to book ferry tickets to Iriomote Island!
Iriomote Island Ferry Tickets
Advantages of waking up early in Iriomote Island!
It is 1,952 km from Tokyo to Ishigaki Island, and from there, Iriomote Island is located about 40 minutes away by high-speed boat. Since you are going to travel such a long distance, please plan to wake up early in the morning and feel Iriomote Island in the early morning. There are many people who participate in daytime or nighttime tours, but there are also activity tours held in the early morning, which are secretly gaining popularity. It is a magnificent sight to see the sky gradually changing colors from the pitch-black sky, and to see the great nature illuminated.
The early bird gets the worm! This may be a good opportunity for you to experience it for yourself!
Number one, the sunrise is amazing.
The sunset sinking into the horizon is popular on Iriomote Island, but the sunrise, which allows you to start the day with a fresh feeling, is not to be outdone!
We woke up early in the morning, rubbed our sleepy eyes, and moved in the dim light to the spot where we could see the sunrise.... If you join a canoe or SUP tour, you can enjoy the sunrise on the sea, on the river, or in the jungle, and you can see Iriomote Island surrounded by nature gradually illuminated, so it is gaining popularity. It is the best start of the day because you can feel the contrast different from daytime and nighttime, the moment when plants and animals start to move, and the pleasant chirping of birds.
Even if you wake up early in the morning and take a walk around the inn or go for an early morning drive, the pleasant morning climate of Iriomotejima will surely cool your eyes and make you active for the whole day!
2. you can enjoy the fresh air even more.
Even though it is an island in the south, you may feel cool and a little cold wind in the morning because the temperature drops. That is why the clean air of Iriomote Island, surrounded by great nature, tastes even better!
When you wake up early in the morning, go outside and take a deep breath! Your body will respond and wake up just by breathing in as much fresh air as you can, which you cannot experience in the city. Start your day with a full breath of delicious air!
Number three, there are hardly any people.
Most people who visit Iriomote Island join trekking and snorkeling tours during the daytime. To be honest, it takes a lot of energy to enjoy activities all day long under the strong sunlight. Even those who do not participate in activities but just accompany others are exhausted after a long time in the strong sunlight. Some people may even enjoy drinking Okinawa's alcoholic beverages until late at night.
Most people want to relax the next morning and recover enough energy for the plans they have made during the day, so few people go out early in the morning. If you want to spend time on the beach and take pictures without anyone else in the picture, early morning is the best time to do so.
No.4. Don't worry about sunburn.
You should not neglect sunburn protection during the daytime in Iriomote Island, regardless of the season! Especially in midsummer, if you let your guard down even a little, you may get symptoms of burns, tingling and pain just by rubbing your clothes, and even you may not be able to sleep at night...
But you don't have to worry about sunburn when you do activities in the morning! While ocean activities are exposed to UV rays from above and below, especially from the ocean's surface, you don't have to worry about that with morning SUP and canoeing activities. The morning SUP and canoeing activities are held in the morning, so you don't have to worry about that. You will feel the time pass by slowly, and watching the sunrise in the silence is the best experience of your life! Walking around the inn or doing yoga on the beach while soaking up the sunrise is also a luxurious experience.
No.5. Breakfast is delicious.
To tell the truth, you don't want to eat rice in the heat during the daytime, do you? However, the breakfast you eat after inhaling fresh air in the morning of Iriomote Island is very delicious. Unlike during the daytime, the temperature is cooler in the morning, and you will have a good appetite, so please recharge your energy for the whole day and depart for a trip to enjoy Iriomote Island to the fullest!
Three early morning spots to visit!
Here are some recommended spots in Iriomote Island in the early morning. Iriomote Island is one of the most popular remote islands in Yaeyama Islands, so many tourists visit this island. Some days the sightseeing spots are overflowed with many people, but if you really want to go sightseeing slowly, early morning is recommended! Among them, we have selected three spots that you should visit early in the morning!
Star Sand Beach
Hoshi-suna Beach is located on the north side of the island and can be reached in about 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port. It is named Hoshi-suna Beach because of the abundance of star-shaped sand here, and is visited by many tourists in search of star sand.
When the morning sun begins to rise, you can still hear only the pleasant sound of waves, and you can take a leisurely stroll along Hoshisuna Beach and see the fish in the ocean in the morning. When the sun rises and the weather warms up, you can go straight into the ocean and snorkel while looking at the colorful and beautiful coral, or take your time playing in the water with small children because the waves are shallow and calm.
⇒Star Sand Beach (Star Sand Beach)For more information on
Click here for related plans
Maruma Beach
Maruma Beach is a small beach within walking distance from Uehara Port. It is a good place to stop by as soon as you get to the island or when you have time to spare before the ship leaves. The water is clear and shallow, making it a safe place to swim, and there are many restaurants and guest houses around, as well as restrooms and other facilities, making it one of the best spots.
It is a great day to wake up early and stop by Maruma Beach on your morning walk and start the day with a view of the beautiful emerald green ocean.
⇒Maruma BeachFor more information on
Gora River (Shira River)
The Gora River (Shira River) is a gently S-shaped river located about 15 minutes by car from Ohara Port. Canoe cruising can be experienced on the Gora River, and the further upstream you go, the narrower the river becomes. The Gora River is home to the native sagaribana, which blooms colorfully during the summer season, releasing a sweet vanilla-like fragrance! The flowers are in full bloom overnight and fall off at dawn.
If you visit early in the morning, you may be able to see the sagaribana in full bloom and floating on the surface of the water. The flower is said to bring good luck, so you will be lucky if you can see it! For viewing the sagaribana, check out the night SUP tours and night canoe tours as well as the early morning tours!
Address: Aza-Komi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 15 minutes by car from Ohara Port
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Iriomote wildcat discovery and capture site
The Iriomote wildcat was first discovered around 3:00 a.m. on March 17, 1974, when it was captured by a resident while attacking a chicken under an eave. The place where the Iriomote wildcat was first discovered is located a five-minute walk from Funauki Port, an isolated island port on land. The place where Iriomote wildcat was discovered and captured is located on the east coast of Funauki area, so you can see the sunrise.
Even if you actually visit there, you will not be able to see the Iriomote wildcat, as only a marker is placed in front of the gate of the Iriomote Museum of Hometown Nature, Culture, and History. However, it is the birthplace of Iriomote wildcat, the symbol of Iriomote Island, so we would like to visit there if we have a chance. In addition, you can see Iriomote wild cat stuffed animals and movies at Iriomote Island Wildlife Conservation Center, so why don't you visit there as well?
Address: Funauki, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 5 min. walk from Funauki Port
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Taketomi Town Meridian Fureai Kan
Taketomi Town Meridian Fureai-kan is a fureai-kan located in Sonai village of Iriomote Island, about 3 minutes drive from Uehara Port. It was discovered in 1997 that the meridian line of 123 degrees 45 minutes 6.789 seconds north latitude runs through this Sonai area. A monument was erected to commemorate this discovery. From this monument, a green laser beam is directed toward the meridian in the night sky every 30 minutes between 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, and 22:00. Therefore, it is a popular spot for sunset and star gazing, but it is also famous for its beautiful sunrises.
Unarizaki Park and Zenbae Beach are also nearby, so it is a good idea to visit them as well!
Address: 921-2 Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 3 minutes by car from Uehara Port
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Ohara Port
Ohara Port is one of the two ports at the entrance of Iriomote Island. Ohara Port is located in the southwestern part of Iriomote Island, so you can see the sunrise rising from the horizon, but if you want to see the sunrise, the southernmost signal in Japan near Ohara Port is the recommended spot.
Actually, there are only two signals in Iriomote Island, and one of them is this signal. Especially in winter season, you can see the sunrise over the southernmost signal in Japan!
pale chub (Zacco platypus)
The Nakama River is the second largest river after the Urauchi River, and from the Nakama Bridge, which spans the 300-hectare Nakama River surrounded by a huge jungle, you can see the entire jungle and the river. The sunrise can be seen clearly from the top of Nakama Bridge, and although the position changes depending on the season, it is clearly visible in winter.
The mangroves of the Nakama River are mainly composed of plants such as Yaeyama hirugi, Ohirugi, and Mehirugi, and there are also native trees such as the 400-year-old Saxifragaceae tree!
Address: Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 15 minutes on foot from Nakama Port
Parking: No
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: No
Three recommended early morning tours in Iriomote Island!
In Iriomote Island, there are many tours that are held early in the morning. Here are three of the most recommended tours!
Sunrise Canoeing
まだ薄暗い中から始まる早朝カヌーツアーは大自然が目覚める姿を見ることができます。
西表島の約９割を占めている原生林が朝日に照らされ、植物や動物が動き始める時間にカヌーに乗ってジャングルを進んでいくと小鳥のさえずりも心地よく聞こえてきます。太陽が上からではなく、横から照らし出す西表島の景色はまた昼間とは違った味わいがありカヌーを漕いでいるとひんやりと少し冷たく感じる風が完全に目を覚ましてくれます。
Click here for related plans
Early Morning Retreat & Jungle Healing
昼間のツアーの前の時間を有効活用してもっと西表島を知りたい！という人におすすめなのが早朝リトリート＆ジャングルヒーリングです。トレッキングも約20分と短く、子どもやご年配の方、日中にアクティビティをたくさん予定している方でも安心して参加することができます。
朝早起きして訪れる西表島の大自然では、昼間と違った動物に出会えたり、都会では味わうことができない清々しい朝を迎えることができるでしょう。自然のパワーを感じ、その日を原生林の中でスタートさせてみてはいかがでしょうか。
Click here for related plans
Iriomote Island Sunrise SUP
早朝ツアーで1番人気なのが日の出SUPです。薄暗い中でスタートするSUPは昼間とは違い、ゆったりとした雰囲気の中リラックスしながらクルーズすることができます。朝の静けさの中、海の上から見る日の出は言葉では表すことが出来ない感情が押し寄せてくるほど美しく、眠気もどこかへ飛んでいってしまいます。朝日を浴びながら海の上を進むと、海風を受けながら自然のパワーも吸収できるので最高の一日になること間違いないでしょう。
昼間のカンカン照りの日差しとは違い、澄み切った空気、暖かい太陽の日差しを感じながら西表島が起きていく姿を見てみませんか？
Click here for related plans
summary
西表島はトレッキング、シュノーケリングなど昼間に行われるツアーが人気だったり、サンセットを見に訪れる人も多くいます。でも忘れては行けないのが西表島の早朝です。サンライズを見ることができ、大自然が作り出す澄んだ空気はとても美味しく、朝起きて行う深呼吸は格別です。昼間や夜をメインに計画を立てている方が多いと思いますが、是非西表島の朝に見せる顔も見てみてください！
All the fun in Iriomote Island is here↓.
Iriomotejima Tours
