Iriomote │ Hirata Tourism Inc. Yaeyama's Tourism Leader

Ishigaki

Iriomote

Taketomi

Kohama

Iriomote Island is the second largest island in the Okinawa Prefecture. It is often referred to as the “Galopagos of East Asia” due to its tropical/ sub-tropical jungle which covers 90% of the island. It is inhabited by many rare species of plants and animals. Such as: the Iriomote lynx (Iriomote Yamaneko) discovered in 1967, Crested Serpent eagle as well as the Yellow-margined box turtle to name the major species. There are also countless species of birds, butterflies and insects. It boasts an average temperature of 75.2F. It has a population of about 2000. It lacks many amenities such as a bank, convenience store, hospital and high school. There is a clinic manned by a doctor and nurse for general illnesses however serious aliments must be treated on Ishigaki Island. Since the island doesn’t have a high school children must move to Ishigaki Island and live alone while attending school.

The Island can be accessed by its 3 sea ports of Ohara, Funaura and Uehara. The port of Ohara is located near the entrance to the Nakama River. The Nakama River only 6 km in length offers a great chance to view the mangroves which have been designated as national natural monuments. A mangrove is a woody plant or plant community which lives between the sea and land in areas which are inundated by tides made up of fresh and salt water. Iriomote Island is the only place where you can see all mangroves existing in Japan. On the Nakama River you can see the species of red and orange mangroves which are placed in the “salt-excluders” category of mangrove. That means that this species can actually prevent up to 90% of the salt from entering through a filtration system at the root level. The mangroves play an important role in a healthy eco-system providing food and shelter to many fish and wildlife as well as providing humans with medicines and materials for daily necessities.

The Nakama River also provides a wonderful view of the rare group of Yaeyama palm trees. Taking the boat tour along the river allows you to stop along the way and see the Sakishima Sappanwood (Suo-no-ki) up close. It is over 400 years old as many are on Iriomote Island, and in the past this tree was prized by boat rowers for its rudder shaped roots.

There is only one road on the island which begins at Haemisaki in the south-east and ends in Shirahama in the north-west of the island. From the south-east at Ohara you will make your way along the coastline to Mihara. At which point you may take a water buffalo cart ride to Yubu Island. Once inhabited this island suffered great damage during the 1969 typhoon causing residents to move and resulting in its eventual transformation into a tourist attraction. Next you will reach Takana and the Iriomote Onsen at the Hotel Painumaya Resort. This is the southernmost onsen in Japan.

Your continued journey along the road will bring you to the Funaura Port and then to the Uehara Port. From Uehara Port it is a short ride to Hoshizuna (star sand) Beach. As the name suggests the sand-like particles are shaped like stars. These particles are actually the skeletons of tiny marine creatures.
The Urauchi River is next along the road. It is the longest river in Okinawa Prefecture. Two of its major waterfalls are the Maryudo and the Kanpire.
The road comes to an end at the Shirahama Port. The islands of Uchibanare and Sotobanare can be seen from the port but can only be reached by private boat.

Uchibanare Island was one of several coal mining locations on and around Iriomote Island. In the 1600’s the islands of the Ryukyu Kingdom were claimed by the Satsuma Clan from Kyushu, to whom they paid a tribute to continue trading rights. The Ryukyu King was allowed to stay in power for the purpose of allowing both the Satsuma Clan and the Tokugawa Shogunate (ruler of mainland Japan) to benefit from international trade during the isolationist period.

During the middle of the 19th century the Black ships (western ships) could be seen landing on the coasts of Japan. They particularly set their sights on the Ryukyus and began probing the extent of the existence of coal. The Meiji restoration saw the quick realization of the great importance of having coal. It was an especially important factor for Japan to compete with the Great Powers of Europe. Unlike the Satsuma Clan the Ryukyu King wanted to hide the existence of coal and sent a strong warning to everyone to keep it secret. For those who leaked the information the punishment was ten years of exile on Hateruma Island. Around this time Perry arrived from America with the intent of opening up trade between Japan and the US. In Japan’s modern history, the importance of coal or “black diamond” as it was called was first realized in Iriomote. In 1879 the Kingdom of the Ryukyus collapsed and Okinawa Prefecture was formed. It was not until 1885 that serious coal mining efforts began.

Funauki Port is considered to be the most secluded populated area on Iriomote Island. Funauki Port can be reached by a ferry service which has three daily departures or by participation in a day tour. At one time there had been plans to build an access road to Funauki, but these plans were quickly dropped with the discovery of the Iriomote Yama Neko in 1965. The Iriomote Yama Neko or Iriomote Wildcat (lynx) was in 1967 designated as a new species only found on Iriomote Island. Today there are around 100 in existence. However, talking to older residents of Funauki they will tell you that this wildcat used to be an ordinary sight in their childhood.
Funauki is a treasure trove of nature and history. This area was once well populated, but with the closure of the mines after WWII the population soon dissipated. The current population of Funauki is 45. The village of Funauki is the entryway to a beautiful beach called Ida Beach. It’s pristine white sand and beautiful corals are a monument to the natural environment in this area. It also must be noted that Funauki is the birthplace of the world’s first cultivated black pearl. The Ryukyu Pearl Company has facilities in the village and you can see the black buoys of the pearls being cultivated in Funauki Bay.

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