Let's enjoy the great nature by riding on a buffalo cart! Thorough description of Yubu Island, a popular sightseeing spot in Iriomote Island
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What is the World Natural Heritage Iriomote Island?
Iriomote Island is covered with 901 tP3T of subtropical virgin forest, and is called the Galapagos of the East because of its high biodiversity, including many species unique to Iriomote Island.
In addition, Iriomote Island can be reached by ferry in about 40 minutes from Ishigaki Island, the gateway to Yaeyama, which connects to other cities in Japan, so it is easy to visit.
The Iriomote Island jungle has more than 40 rivers and many waterfalls.
Because of the large number of endangered species and natural monuments, the entire Iriomote Island was designated as a national park in 1972.
Why don't you come and meet various creatures in the largest jungle in Japan?
Click here for details on Iriomote Island ferry tickets.
The connection between Iriomote Island and the buffalo
As I introduced various creatures inhabiting Iriomote Island, there is even a buffalo in Iriomote Island. However, buffaloes do not live wild but are used as vehicles.
400m to the east of Iriomote Island.Yubu Island (Hiroshima-Nagoya Island)The island of Yubu is located on the southwest side of the island. To get to Yubu Island, visitors take a buffalo cart across the sea.
The ocean between Iriomote Island and Yubu Island is only about 1 meter deep even at high tide. Therefore, you can cross the sea by a buffalo cart without getting wet.
There is a ticket booth called "Traveler's Station" in the parking lot of such a buffalo car ride. This ticket is a combination of the entrance fee for the subtropical botanical garden and the buffalo car.
Each buffalo has an important name and each individual has a different personality and physique, so please take a look at the buffalo you ride to see what he or she looks like!
On Yubu Island, you may also see the cute sight of buffalo resting.
About Yubu Island
Yubu Island, which like Iriomote Island belongs to the Yaeyama Islands, is a remote island formed by the accumulation of sand that flowed out of the rivers of Iriomote Island.
Although the island is small, with a circumference of only 2 km, it is crowded with many tourists during the season because of its many popular tourist attractions.
There is a botanical garden where many plants unique to the subtropical zone grow, and a butterfly garden where you can see the chrysalis of the golden tiger butterfly. Visitors are also welcome to take a break at the teahouse and restaurant.
It is now a famous tourist attraction, but in the past, due to the devastating typhoon in 1969, many of the islanders moved to Iriomote Island and almost disappeared.
One couple stayed on the island and planted many plants on the island so that the islanders who had left would one day return, and the island became the magnificent winter island with many subtropical plants growing wild.
There are many plants growing wild that cannot be seen on the main island of Okinawa.
↓Click here for popular tours to Yubu Island.
↓Learn more about Yubu Island Sightseeing Tour
About Yubu Island and the buffalo
As introduced above, it is common to use a buffalo cart to access Yubu Island from Iriomote Island.
While riding in the buffalo cart, the driver's uncle plays the shamisen and sings songs for us.
The 15-minute ride in a buffalo cart with shamisen and singing as background music while feeling the sea breeze is a supreme moment.
The buffalo, which are used as a means of transportation for tourists, were bred from a single cow that was once transferred from Taiwan. The number of buffaloes has now grown to nearly 40.
The buffalo, a means of transportation for sightseeing, is an important tourist resource for Yubu Island, and people are trained to pull buffalo carts from a young age.
They are all very calm and carry you carefully! When you arrive at Yubu Island properly, please call them by name and praise them!
Entrance fee to the Botanical Garden (buffalo cart included):
Adults (junior high school students and older) 1,400 yen
Children (elementary school students) 700 yen
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Phone number: 0980-85-5470
HP: http://www.yubujima.com/
Yubu Island sightseeing is included in the package!
Recommended Tours
Yaeyama Remote Islands Tour
For those who want to explore the remote islands of Yaeyama efficiently, we recommend the Remote Islands Tour.
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, it is recommended for those who are not comfortable in the ocean, as they basically do not get wet.
Click here to make a reservation.
Check out more Yaeyama Remote Islands Tour Plans!
(2) Pinaisara Falls & Yubu Island Sightseeing Tour
The first tour introduced here is a combination plan of canoe cruising to Pinaisara Falls and sightseeing in Yubu Island.
The tour begins with canoe cruising upstream through the dense jungle river. A nature guide will give a detailed lecture and explain the flora and fauna.
The canoes used in the tours are highly stable and propulsive, so even those who are not confident in their physical strength and power can participate with ease.
There are also two-seater canoes available for those with small children! We will leave the canoe on the river on the way and trek towards Pinaisara Falls!
We will continue through the jungle, encountering creatures unique to the tropics. A huge waterfall will appear, a complete change from the green surroundings during the trek.
The clear, clear stream pours down with a spray full of negative ions. The vibrant vegetation, clear clear stream, and all five senses will be fully healed! Taste lunch while listening to the sound of the waterfall water near the waterfall basin.
After being healed all over by forest bathing and negative ions, we will head for Yubu Island!
While riding across the sea in a buffalo cart, you can relax to the sounds of the driver's shamisen and tapping of the bells. After arriving at Yubu Island, you can visit the botanical garden where you can appreciate subtropical plants that cannot be seen on the main island of Okinawa, and the butterfly garden, famous for its golden chrysalis of the giant tiger butterfly.
There are many tourist attractions, but the island is small, only 2 km in circumference, so it is easy to explore.
Canoe or SUP & Yubu Island Sightseeing Tour
The next tour we will introduce is a plan that includes sightseeing on Yubu Island and canoeing or SUP.
It takes about 30 minutes one way, so it is easy to visit.
During the trekking, there are many creatures that cannot be seen in the mainland, such as subtropical virgin forests and eels.
After canoeing or SUP, the tour will conclude with a sightseeing tour of Yubu Island.
Spend a slow life on Yubu Island, the No. 1 popular tourist spot in Iriomote Island, riding on a buffalo!
4) Barasu Island snorkeling & Yubu Island sightseeing
The following tour is a plan to enjoy activities and sightseeing on Yubu Island with snorkeling to Barasu Island, which is known as a miraculous island.
Barasu Island is an uninhabited island that does not exist on the map, located in the northern part of Iriomote Island.
It is an island made entirely of coral fragments that appear and disappear in the sea depending on the tide. Barras is the only island in the northern hemisphere and the only two in the southern hemisphere that are made entirely of coral.
The contrast between the pure white pieces of coral and the cobalt blue sea that surrounds it is very beautiful. For this reason, it is also used as a filming location for commercial shoots photo weddings, etc. The surrounding sea is the largest coral reef area in Japan, Shihsi lagoon, which is full of more than 400 species of coral and tropical fish, making it perfect for snorkeling!
Yubu Island is small, only about 2 km in circumference, but all of it is a subtropical botanical garden. As a result, visitors can see bougainvillea, which blooms almost all year round, and the Japanese giant sargassum butterfly, the largest butterfly in Japan.
After a full morning of snorkeling, we will take a buffalo to Yubu Island in the afternoon. On Yubu Island, subtropical plants are in bloom year-round, and you can even see the golden chrysalis of the giant sesame butterfly. You can also see the golden chrysalis of the giant sargassum butterfly!
You can also use a buffalo cart to explore the island, so feel free to use it!
5) Star Sand Snorkeling & Yubu Island Sightseeing
Introduction of a tour to the No.1 popular beach and No.1 popular sightseeing spots in Iriomote Island!
As the name suggests, Star Sand Beach is full of star-shaped sand on the beach. It is said that picking up star sand brings good luck, so be sure to look for it.
It is also nice to beachcomb because of the beautiful seashells.
Although Hoshisuna Beach has shallow waters, coral and more than 100 species of tropical fish can be seen.
Even knee-deep water is home to many tropical fish! Therefore, children as young as 3 years old can enjoy snorkeling!
Spend a relaxing Yubu Island time listening to sanshin and Ryukyu songs!
Canyoning & Yubu Island Sightseeing Tour
The last tour we will introduce is a plan that combines canyoning and sightseeing on Yubu Island!
Canyoning" is an activity unique to Iriomote Island, as the jungle covers 90% of the island and there are as many as 40 rivers.
Canyoning is a river rafting, and there are many exhilarating aspects such as sliding down a natural waterslide created by nature or jumping into a waterfall basin!
Helmets, life jackets, and other safety gear are worn during the tour so that visitors can enjoy the activity safely.
After enjoying the exciting activities, you can enjoy a relaxing sightseeing tour on Yubu Island.
Have a great time relaxing and admiring the unique subtropical ecosystem.
summary
We introduced the buffalo of Iriomote Island. How was it?
The number of people who can ride on a buffalo cart as a means of sightseeing transportation is limited even in Japan. It is a very precious experience, so please take advantage of it when you visit Iriomote Island. Each buffalo cart has an important name, so please call them by their names.
Thank you for reading to the end.
