Experience the best of Iriomote-jima

Iriomote is the largest island of the Yaeyama group and the second largest in Okinawa Prefecture, lying beside Ishigaki far south-west of the main island of Okinawa. Most of its land is steep jungle, with mangroves along the rivers, and its roads reach only parts of the coast, with no road running all the way round. A World Heritage listing in 2021 recognised its forests.

Boats go up the Urauchi River, the longest in Okinawa, into the forest, from where a trail leads to the Mariyudu and Kanbire waterfalls. The Iriomote wildcat, found nowhere else, is the island's symbol. At Hoshizuna beach the sand holds tiny star-shaped shells, and water buffalo carts wade across a shallow channel to Yubu Island.

Ferries to Iriomote leave from Ishigaki. Snorkelling and diving reefs ring the island, and cooking leans on Yaeyama soba, island pork, black sugar and sea grapes. Hiking and kayaking are most comfortable in the milder winter months, when the humidity eases.