Iriomote
Iriomote is the largest of the Yaeyama Islands and the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture, in the Okinawa region, some forty to fifty minutes by boat west of Ishigakijima; almost all of it is subtropical forest, inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2021.
- Region
- Okinawa
- Journeys
- The Custom Tour of Japan
overview
An island of forest and slow green rivers, at the far south-western edge of Japan.
Iriomote covers almost three hundred square kilometres, and some nine-tenths of it is forest: hills of subtropical woodland cut by rivers that widen into mangrove estuaries, the largest mangroves in Japan. Some two thousand people live in small villages along the north and east coasts, joined by a single road; the west and the south of the island have no road at all and are reached only by water.
The forest is home to creatures found nowhere else, above all the Iriomote cat, a wild cat first described by science in the 1960s, of which only about a hundred remain, and the crested serpent eagle that perches on the roadside trees. The island became a national park in 1972, and in 2021 it was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site with Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima and the north of Okinawa Island.
Iriomote is the most natural of Japan's islands, seen in comfort: by cruise boat up its rivers, by water-buffalo cart across the shallows, and by night under one of the darkest skies in the country.
see and do
What to see on Iriomote
The Urauchi River
The longest river in Okinawa Prefecture, cruised by boat some eight kilometres upstream between walls of mangrove and forest to a landing beneath the hills. From there a forest path leads to a lookout over the Mariyudu falls.
The Nakama River
A broad mangrove river in the south-east, cruised by boat from Ohara, with a great sakishima suo tree, its buttress roots like folded cloth, said to be some four centuries old.
Yubu Island
A small island a few hundred metres off the east coast, reached by water-buffalo cart across the shallows, with a botanical garden of palms, hibiscus and butterflies.
Pinaisara Falls
The highest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture, a white line down the forested hillside, seen across the water of Funaura Bay.
Hoshizuna no Hama
Star Sand Beach on the north coast, where the sand is made of tiny star-shaped shells and the reef shelters a calm lagoon.
Tsukigahama
A crescent of soft sand at the mouth of the Urauchi River on the north coast, named for the moon it resembles.
Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center
A centre at Komi on the east coast, telling the story of the Iriomote cat and the island's other creatures and the work done to protect them.
experiences
The best of Iriomote
Up the Urauchi by cruise boat
A cruise boat up the Urauchi River with a naturalist aboard, between the mangroves and the forest, with the gentle walk to the Mariyudu falls for those who want it.
Across to Yubu
The crossing to Yubu Island in a cart drawn by a water buffalo, the driver singing to the sanshin as the wheels move through the shallows.
The darkest sky in Japan
An evening with a guide on a dark beach, under a sky so free of light that the Milky Way runs from horizon to horizon, part of a national park certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.
The mangroves of the Nakama
A boat on the Nakama River among the mangroves, to see the old sakishima suo tree and the herons and kingfishers of the estuary.
plan your visit
Iriomote on a journey through Japan
- How long to stay
- One night lets Iriomote be seen beyond the day boats, with a river cruise and an evening of stars; two allows both rivers and Yubu at an easy pace.
- Getting there
- By boat from the ferry terminal in Ishigaki town: about forty minutes to Ohara on the east coast, and about forty-five to fifty to Uehara on the north coast, the port nearest the Urauchi River.
- Pairs well with
- Iriomote is reached by boat from Ishigakijima, with Taketomi on the way, and pairs well with a night on each before a flight on to Miyakojima or Yonaguni.IshigakijimaTaketomiYonaguniMiyakojima
where to stay
Luxury hotels and ryokan on Iriomote
The island's resort hotel stands on Tsukigahama on the north coast, close to the mouth of the Urauchi River, with a pool, a beach and the forest behind it. It is the most comfortable base for the river cruises and the night skies.
Beyond it, lodging on Iriomote is in small pensions and inns in the villages, simple and friendly. Many guests come over for the day from Ishigakijima or Taketomi.
journeys
Iriomote on a private journey
We bring guests to Iriomote on the Custom Tour of Japan, created around your party alone, on your dates, with your own Tour Director.
questions
Iriomote: questions answered
How do you get to Iriomote?
By boat from the ferry terminal in Ishigaki town, about forty minutes to Ohara or forty-five to fifty minutes to Uehara. There is no airport for scheduled flights.
What is there to do on Iriomote?
Cruise the Urauchi and Nakama rivers by boat, cross to Yubu Island by water-buffalo cart, walk on Star Sand Beach, and see the stars of one of the darkest skies in Japan.
Can you see an Iriomote cat?
Very rarely: only about a hundred live in the forest and they are seldom seen. The Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center at Komi tells their story.
Is Iriomote a World Heritage Site?
Yes. Iriomote was inscribed in 2021 as part of a World Natural Heritage Site, with Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima and the north of Okinawa Island.
How many days do you need on Iriomote?
One night is enough for a river cruise and an evening of stars, and two for both rivers and Yubu at an easy pace. A day from Ishigakijima is possible but brief.
Can Iriomote be part of a private tour of Japan?
Yes. The Custom Tour of Japan is created around your party alone, on your dates, with your own Tour Director, and it can go anywhere in the country, Iriomote included. If you would rather travel independently, the Expert Japan Itinerary plans every day for you.
okinawa
More in Okinawa
Iriomote, planned for you.
Tell us when you would like to travel and what draws you to Iriomote, and we will answer with a Custom Tour of Japan created around your party alone, or, if you would rather travel independently, an Expert Japan Itinerary that plans every day for you.