The Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa's great natural tourist attractions, are...
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Yaeyama Islands" means...
Source: Southwest Tourism and Travel Development
The Yaeyama Islands, located further south than the main island of Okinawa, consist of Ishigaki Island (the center of the archipelago), Hateruma Island (the southernmost inhabited island in Japan), Yonaguni Island (the westernmost), Iriomote Island, Kuroshima, Kohama Island, Taketomi Island, Hatoma Island, Aragusuku Island (Kamiji Island and Shimoji Island), Yubu Island (inhabited islands) and many uninhabited islands including Senkaku Islands.
The islands are surrounded by coral reefs and blessed with natural scenery unique to the subtropical zone. The islands are a treasure trove of nature, with many natural monuments designated by the national government! In the past, the islands suffered from a harsh taxation system called "Nitotouzei" (human head tax) and had a history of hardships such as malaria and a huge tsunami that claimed many lives....
However, the disposition of the people who have lived strongly is cheerful, and they have nurtured a rich culture of performing arts. Old songs and traditional events are cherished and still integrated into daily life, making it a very popular tourist destination with its own unique culture!
Click here for popular island tours
Popular Iriomote Island Tour (with Ishigaki - Iriomote ferry ticket) is here↓.
Local terminology for the Yaeyama Islands
Yaeyama is now "Yaeyama," but in dialect it is called "Yaima. It is also called "eema" on the main island of Okinawa and "dharma" on Yonaguni Island.
The book "Nakayama Denshinroku" written by Xu Hongguang, a Chinese who visited Ryukyu in 1719, states "Yaeyama, ichina Kitagiyama, do na 彜師加紀(Ishikaki)、又名爺馬(Yama)".According to this, "Yaeyama" basically refers to Ishigaki Island, but later documents include remote islands such as Iriomote Island. There are various theories as to why the term "Yaeyama" is used, and at present there is no definitive answer.
About the Geography of the Yaeyama Islands
The total area of the Yaeyama Islands is equivalent to about a quarter of the total area of Okinawa Prefecture. Iriomote Island is the second largest island after the main island of Okinawa, and Ishigaki Island is the third largest. In fact, Iriomote Island was the next largest after the main island.
| island name | Area (m2) | Perimeter (km) | Distance from Ishigaki Island (km) | population | Number of households |
| Ishigaki Island | 223 | 162 | - | 49,141 | 23,508 |
| Taketomi Island | 5 | 9 | 7 | 361 | 197 |
| Iriomote Island (Okinawa) | 289 | 131 | 38.7 (Uehara) 31.4 (Ohara) |
2,428 | 1,339 |
| islets of Ogasawara (islands) | 8 | 17 | 18 | 734 | 485 |
| Hatoma Island | 1 | 4 | 38 | 43 | 31 |
| Kurushima | 10 | 13 | 19 | 216 | 125 |
| Aragusuku Island (Kamiji Island) | 2 | 6 | 24 | 14 | 12 |
| Aragusuku Island (Shimoji Island) | 2 | 5 | |||
| Hateruma Island | 13 | 15 | 56 | 506 | 273 |
| Yonaguni Island | 29 | 27 | 127 | 1,690 | 917 |
Climate of the Yaeyama Islands
As you know, Okinawa is also known as "Typhoon Ginza" because of the large number of typhoons that usually hit the island every year.
An average of four to five typhoons usually approach Yaeyama between July and October each year. Their power is incomparably stronger than that of typhoons on the mainland, and their maximum instantaneous wind speed can reach 80 m/s. In Iriomote Island, it is a famous story that goats are really flying. It is a famous story in Iriomote Island that goats are really flying.
How to spend your time if a typhoon hits during your trip
Typhoons in Yaeyama sometimes blow so hard that utility poles topple over. If you go outside, it is so dangerous that you never know what might fly at you.(*I recommend drinking awamori in such cases).
The winds are really strong, so please be careful not to do anything dangerous such as going to the sea to see the typhoon by mistake!
About Ship & Airplane
When a typhoon approaches, regular flights to Iriomote Island and other islands may be cancelled, and even if you make it to your destination island, you may be stranded for several days.... If you do not have enough time in your schedule, it may be wise to move up your schedule and return home early!
For those who have more time to spare, missing flights is one of the pleasures of traveling to remote islands.
⇒Introduction to Iriomote Island -How to get there
Points to keep in mind when playing in Yaeyama
Ultraviolet rays in Yaeyama are intense! Ultraviolet rays are five times more intense than those on the mainland...! If you go swimming as you normally do, you will be in trouble later on. Please do not underestimate the Okinawan sun!
- Don't be caught off guard because you can get sunburned even on cloudy or rainy days.
- Utilize hats, sunglasses, sunscreen (with high SPF and PA ratings), parasols, and long-sleeved shirts.
- At the beach, apply sunscreen frequently and use beach parasols
- Like wearing a T-shirt or rash guard over a bathing suit.
For details and a list of snorkeling tours to enjoy the sea of Iriomote Island, click here↓.
Events in the Yaeyama Islands
The 2018 Yaeyama Sea Opening was held on March 21 at Maesato Beach on Ishigaki Island. You can enjoy the first swim and the stage events. Miss Yaeyama, who serves as a PR person for Yaeyama tourism, is also announced, attracting many county residents and tourists every year. This event heralds the earliest arrival of summer in Japan.
Mascot of Iriomote Island
Pikariya," a local yurukyara of Taketomi Town, the southernmost town in Japan to which Iriomote Island belongs.
Profile
Name】 Pikarya
Kind] Iriomote wildcat (boy)
Personality: Laid-back and self-paced,
Sometimes mischievous and mischievous.
Birthday] July 30, 2010
Birthplace: Taketomi Town, Okinawa Prefecture (Yaeyama Islands)
[Characteristics] There's a pattern of islands on the belly.
Favorite food] Island banana
summary
While remote islands such as Iriomote Island are spots where you can enjoy nature to the fullest, they also offer inconveniences and happenings that are unimaginable in other tourist destinations. You can enjoy an extraordinary life including these things, so I think you will have fun if you consider everything as an event of your trip and come here for sightseeing.
Popular Iriomote Island Tour (with Ishigaki - Iriomote ferry ticket) is here↓.
Click here for popular island tours
⇒6 must-do activities when you visit Iriomote Island, the "Galapagos of the East
⇒All Activities in Iriomote IslandFor more information on
