Is it always good to wake up early in Iriomote Island? Recommended spots and activities!
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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.
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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
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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
Early morning canoe tours, which begin in the still dim light, allow visitors to see Mother Nature awakening.
When the primeval forest that covers about 90% of Iriomote Island is illuminated by the morning sun and plants and animals start to move, you can hear birds chirping pleasantly as you get on a canoe and proceed through the jungle. The view of Iriomote Island that the sun shines not from above but from the side has a different taste from that of the daytime, and the cool and slightly cold wind will wake you up completely when you paddle the canoe.
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Early Morning Retreat & Jungle Healing
I want to know more about Iriomote Island by making the most of the time before the daytime tour! We recommend the Early Morning Retreat & Jungle Healing for those who want to know more about Iriomote Island by making the most of the time before the daytime tours. The trekking is short, only about 20 minutes, so children, elderly people, and those who have many activities scheduled during the day can participate without worries.
In the wilderness of Iriomotejima Island, you will wake up early in the morning to see animals different from those you see in the daytime and have a refreshing morning that you cannot experience in the city. Why don't you feel the power of nature and start your day in the virgin forest?
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Iriomote Island Sunrise SUP
Sunrise SUP is the most popular early morning tour. Unlike daytime tours, which start in the dim light, SUP offers a relaxing cruise in a laid-back atmosphere. The sunrise from the ocean in the quietness of the morning is so beautiful that words cannot express the emotions that rush over you and make you feel sleepy. As you soak up the sunrise and continue on the ocean, you will be able to absorb the power of nature as you catch the ocean breeze, making this the best day of your life.
Why don't you watch Iriomote Island wake up while feeling the clear air and warm sunshine, unlike the can-can sunshine in the daytime?
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summary
In Iriomote Island, daytime tours such as trekking and snorkeling are popular, and many people visit to see the sunset. But what we should not forget is the early morning of Iriomote Island. You can see the sunrise, and the clean air created by the great nature is very delicious, and the deep breath you take when you wake up in the morning is exceptional. Many of you are planning to visit Iriomote Island mainly during the daytime or at night, but please try to see the face of Iriomote Island in the morning!
All the fun in Iriomote Island is here↓.
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