Iriomote Island (Okinawa)

What is Iriomote Island?

**Iriomote Island** is a treasure trove of nature located about 40 minutes by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Island, belonging to the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. About 90% of the island is covered by subtropical jungle, and was registered as a "World Natural Heritage" in 2021.

Iriomote Island is often searched by keywords such as "Iriomote Island activities," "Iriomote Island trekking," "Iriomote Island mangrove," and "Iriomote Island canoe tour," and is popular as a tourist destination where visitors can experience untouched nature and adventurous experiences.

Why Iriomote Island is popular and how to enjoy it

1. unspoiled wilderness registered as a World Natural Heritage site
Iriomote Island is attracting worldwide attention as an island inhabited by many rare plants and animals, and is searched for by keywords such as "Iriomote Island Iriomote Cat" and "Iriomote Island Primeval Forest. Iriomote Island is inhabited by Iriomote wild cat, crested serpent eagle, Yaeyama semaruga turtles, and other creatures that can only be seen here, and is called a sacred place for eco-tourism.

2. a wide variety of activities
Iriomote Island is full of activities that allow you to feel nature with your whole body, such as kayaking, SUP, trekking, and playing with waterfalls. Especially popular are "canoe tour in mangrove forest" and "Pinaisara Falls trekking". There are also a variety of day trip activity tours from Ishigaki Island, which are often searched by "Iriomote Island Activity Recommendation" or "Iriomote Island Day Trip Tour".

3. snorkeling in the beautiful ocean and coral reefs
The waters around Iriomote Island are crystal clear with coral reefs and tropical fish. Especially, snorkeling around Barasu Island and Hatoma Island is spectacular. It is also a popular destination for remote island tours from Ishigaki Island. Many travelers search for keywords such as "Iriomote Island snorkeling" and "Iriomote Island Barasu Island tour".

Convenient access from Ishigaki Island
Iriomote Island can be accessed by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal on Ishigaki Island. There are two ports, Uehara Port and Ohara Port, and it is convenient to choose one according to your destination. Since the boat service may be affected by weather, it is recommended to plan your trip well in advance.

Details of Iriomote Island

←List of recommended sightseeing spots on Ishigaki Island