{"id":12661,"date":"2019-01-29T16:15:59","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T07:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iriomote-tour.com\/?post_type=column&p=12661"},"modified":"2023-12-12T13:39:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T04:39:02","slug":"mangrove-canoe_20190129","status":"publish","type":"column","link":"https:\/\/iriomote-tour.com\/en\/column\/mangrove-canoe_20190129","title":{"rendered":"7 canoeing spots in Iriomote Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 90% of the island is surrounded by tropical rainforest!
\nMangrove Canoeing in Iriomote Island<\/h2>\n

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On Iriomote Island, mangroves found in subtropical regions such as the Amazon are widespread. Among them, the mangrove of \"Nakama River\" is especially famous as the largest in Japan. There is a tour to observe the mangroves by a sightseeing boat.<\/p>\n

However, in order to see the mangroves from a closer distance, we will introduce seven recommended spots to visit by canoe and a set plan.<\/p>\n

<\/i> Click here for details on Iriomote Island ferry tickets.<\/span><\/a>\n

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Mangrove Canoe Spot in Iriomote Island<\/h2>\n

Hinai River<\/h3>\n

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It is located in the western part of Iriomote Island and has been selected as one of the 500 most important wetlands in Japan. The total length of the river is 800 meters, and the area of mangroves is 3.200 hectares. The river itself diverges from the Mare River on the way, and going down the main stream, you will reach Pinaisara Falls.<\/p>\n

In the Okinawan dialect, \"pinai\" means beard and \"sahra\" means something that has fallen, and legend has it that the name was derived from the sight of the water flowing from the falls, which resembled the beard of an old man. The Pinaisara waterfalls are home to fish such as tenagaebi and fune amagai, which make trekking around the waterfall pools enjoyable. The waterfall is also famous for its 55-meter drop, the largest in the prefecture. Trekking up to the top of the waterfall, you can see Barasu Island, Hatoma Island, and the beautiful ocean.<\/p>\n

\u21d2Pinaisara Falls<\/a>For more information on<\/p>\n

Click here for related plans<\/strong>
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\"\u30d4\u30ca\u30a4\u30b5\u30fc\u30e9\u306e\u6edd1\u65e5\u3001\u6edd\u58fa\u6edd\u4e0a\"<\/a><\/span>Iriomotejima Island \/ 1 day\u3011To the top of Pinaisara Falls and the waterfall basin! Special tour with limited number of participants\u2606Mangrove canoeing & trekking course\u266aThe view from the top of the waterfall is sure to impress you\u266a Lunch included (No.12)<\/span>Start time: 9:00-16:00<\/span>Travel time: approx. 6.5 hours<\/span>14,000 yen<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

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pale chub (Zacco platypus)<\/h3>\n

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The river flows through the southern part of Iriomote Island and is 12,3 km long. Yaeyama palms, a national natural treasure, grow wild in the mountain area on the right bank 2 km from the river mouth. The mangrove area is about 300 hectares and the river width is over 200 meters.<\/p>\n

The river's name is said to have originated from Nakama Village, which was established by immigration in 1711. Unlike other rivers, there are no coral reefs around the mouth of the river. It is the second largest river after the Urauchi River, and is one of the hottest installation spots where you can go up by pleasure boat or canoe. In the upper reaches of the Nakama River, visitors can see mangrove trees designated as a national natural treasure and the largest in Japan, such as the 400-year-old saxifrage tree, Yaeyama hirugi, Ohirugi, and Mehirugi.<\/p>\n

\u21d2pale chub (Zacco platypus)<\/a>For more information on<\/p>\n

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Maera (Myra River)<\/h3>\n

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The Myra River, which is said to be the most beautiful in Iriomote Island, has a slow current and is recommended for beginners of mangrove canoeing. The time spent on the canoe is relatively short (30-40 minutes), so it is ideal for women, physically weak people, and families. After canoeing, you can enjoy jungle trekking, swimming or diving in a nearby waterfall.<\/p>\n

\u21d2Myra River (Maera River)<\/a>For more information on<\/p>\n

Click here for related plans<\/strong>
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\"\"<\/a><\/span>World Heritage Iriomote Island] Let's play as a family of three generations! Mangrove Canoeing & Waterfall Tour (No.70)<\/span>Start time: 9:30-15:30<\/span>Time required: approx. 6 hours<\/span>11,000 yen<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

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Nishida River (Sangala)<\/h3>\n

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The river is next to the Pinai River, and upstream is the Sangala Falls. The waterfall's drop is only 7 meters, but the width of the river is 30 meters, giving it a powerful appearance. Visitors can also enter the back side of the waterfall basin to play, where creatures such as long-nosed shrimps live.<\/p>\n

There are two ways to access the falls: one is by foot, an hour-long walk along an undulating path. The other is to take a canoe tour across the mangrove side and trek to the falls.<\/p>\n

*Never go to the falls alone because of the lack of cell phone reception. We recommend that you take a canoe tour to the falls.<\/p>\n

\u21d2Nishida River (Sangala) Falls<\/a>For more information on<\/p>\n

Click here for related plans<\/strong>
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\"\u30b5\u30f3\u30ac\u30e9\u306e\u6eddNo.88\"<\/a><\/span>World Heritage Iriomote Island] \"Sangara Falls\" Mangrove Canoeing & Jungle Trekking 1-Day Course with Happy Lunch (No.88)<\/span>Start time: 9:00-16:00<\/span>Time required: approx. 7 hours<\/span>14,000 yen<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

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Urauchi River<\/h3>\n

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The Urauchi River flows through the center of Iriomote Island and is designated as a Class 2 river. It is also famous as the longest river flowing under Okinawa Prefecture. Mangrove forests consisting of seven kinds of trees, such as Ohirugi and Mehirugi, have developed in the river.<\/p>\n

Downstream of the Urauchi River are Mariyudu Falls, one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, and Campire Falls, a 200-meter-long waterfall that would look great on a social networking site. You can take a cruise on a sightseeing boat, but if you want to take your time and enjoy the long river, a canoe cruise is recommended.<\/p>\n

\u21d2Urauchi River<\/a>For more information on<\/p>\n

Click here for related plans<\/strong>
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\"\"<\/a><\/span>Easy cruising in the mangroves! A little time is all you need! Urauchi River Experience Canoeing (No.82)<\/span>Start time: 9:30-11:30 \/ 13:30-15:30<\/span>Duration: 2 hours<\/span>7,900 yen<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

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Gora River (Shira River)<\/h3>\n

\"\u897f\u8868\u5cf6\u306e\u5f8c\u826f\u5ddd\"<\/p>\n

Source:4ravel<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

It takes about 15 minutes by car from Ohara Port and about 40 minutes from Uehara Port. There is an observatory from which visitors can enjoy the beautiful sky blue sky and the atmosphere created by the mangrove forest. From May to early July, visitors have a chance to see the \"sagaribana,\" also known as the \"overnight flower,\" which has a sweet vanilla-like fragrance, so it is a good time to visit.<\/p>\n

Canoeing is a great way to enjoy the Shira River.<\/p>\n

\u21d2Gora River (Shira River)<\/a>For more information on<\/p>\n

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Save money by combining with other activities!
\nIriomotejima Mangrove Canoe Tour<\/h2>\n

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Now, I would like to present three specific plans.<\/p>\n

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Hinai River x Yubu Island<\/h3>\n

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We recommend the Pinaisaara Falls and Yubu Island Buffalo Car Tour. After canoe cruising along the mangrove-lined Hinai River, trekking to Pinaisara Falls, and then riding a buffalo cart to Yubu Island in the afternoon, this is a very simple plan.<\/p>\n

The points to keep in mind are<\/p>\n