Among the Yaeyama Islands, Iriomote is an island with the most untouched natural environment. It is known as the “Galapagos of East” and large percent of the island is covered by dense jungle and mangrove swamps which make up the old-growth forest, habitat of crested serpent eagle and Iriomote cat. Thus, it has its own unique ecosystem.

You can access Iriomote from Ishigaki by a boat.

A round trip and a sightseeing of Iriomote package tour are recommended. The tour plans include but not limited to standard tour of Iriomote and Taketomi and trekking tour of Iriomote jungle. People visiting for the first time may be able to get around easily because transportation and food are all included in these plans. They depart from Ishigaki terminal and the tour starts around 8 o’clock.

We have decided to go on the standard tour of Iriomote and Taketomi.

■Boat Adventure into a Jungle

We arrived in Ohara harbor after an hour of seeing Taketomi and Kohama Islands. We then hopped onto another boat next to the pier and head onto Nakama River cruise.

Nakama River is the seond largest river in Iriomote and the mangroves around the river mouth are designated as nature reserve. You can go up the river by cruise ferry and canoe.

As you look at the mangroves on both banks going up the river, there is a pier surrounding the Heritiera littoralis. They are more than 400 years of age and their gigantic roots impress the visitors. People used them as a rudder and chopping board long time ago.

This is Geloina yaeyamensis. They live inside of the dirt under the mangroves and they are the biggest clams in Japan. It takes about 2 weeks to get rid of impurities and the taste is known to be below average.

■Endangered animals
After returning to the river mouth, we got on to a tour bus and sightsee around the island listening to the fun guide.

We saw several signs that said, “Iriomote cat warning!” while driving through the island. The Iriomote cat is listed as endangered and currently only has population of 100. The loss of their natural habitat and accidental death on roads contribute to its decreasing population. They have created tunnels under the road and signs all over the island to prevent the accidents.

■Across the ocean by the water buffalo carriage

The next destination is Yubushima Island. It is connected to Iriomote by a ford. On the water buffalo carriage, the local people play the Okinawan traditional three-stringed instruments and sing the Okinawan songs.

Yubushima is all covered up in botanical gardens and you can enjoy the colorful flowers.

Idea leuconoe, the biggest butterfly in Japan is bred here in this island. The chrysalis is famous for its golden color.

Coming back to iriomote via water buffalo carriage, we ate our lunch and head back to Ohara harbor. Our next stop is Taketomi Island, where the city is full of fences and red roof tiles made of coral reefs.

We were only able to tour the eastern part of the island this time, but the western part has the Pinaisala and Mariyudu waterfall and many of the Funauki villages.

Views like these can be seen at Iriomote.