| Taketomi Island |
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Sightseeing by water buffalo
Kondoi?Beach |
Taketomi Island is a small island that is 9.2 km in circumference and home to about 330 people. It is located about 6 km away from Ishigaki Ferry Terminal. It takes about 10 minutes from Ishigaki Island to Taketomi Island by high-speed ferry, and the charge is 1,100 yen. You can make a one-day trip from Ishigaki Island, so this makes it a convenient and popular place to visit.
Taketomi Island has also been selected as an important heritage site for Japan. The traditional Yaeyama coral stone walls and houses with red tile rooftops still remain there.
Taketomi is a relatively flat island, so travel around the island is quick and convenient. It usually takes less than 20 minutes to travel from one side of the island to the other by bike. Sightseeing by water buffalo is also popular. You can go around the island at your own leisurely pace.
| Main Tourist Attractions |
?Kondoi Beach (swimming is allowed)
?Kaiji Beach (Beach with Star-shaped sand)
?West WharfBR> ?Nagomi Lookout Tower |
| Rental bike |
300 yen / per hour 1,500 yen / per day |
| Sightseeing by water buffalo |
Adult / 1,200yen
Children from 3 years old to 13 years old / 600yen? |
| Others |
Post offices, Accommodations, and restaurants are available. |
| Contact |
Taketomi Town Tourist Association 0980-82-5445 |
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| Iriomote Island |
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Kanpire Falls
Yubu Island Water Buffalo Cart Ride |
At around 130 km in circumference, Iriomote is the largest island in the Yaeyamas and the second largest in the Okinawa Island chain. Although it is large in size it has a small population of around 2,300 residents. The island is rich in wildlife, and most of the island is covered in dense jungle. In addition, it is home to Iriomote Wild Cat, a type of wildcat designated as a protected endangered species.
There are more than 40 rivers, both large and small. Mangrove forests extend 10km from the river mouths where salt water and fresh water come together. This area is rich in exotic and rare creatures.
While you are there, it is worth visiting the Mariyudo Falls, which has been selected as one of Japan?s top 100 waterfalls.
It takes about 35 minutes from the Ishigaki Ferry Terminal to the Ohara Port (East side) by high-speed ferry. If you are interested in going to Uehara (western Iriomote Island) it takes about 45 minutes from Ishigaki to the Uehara Port (West side).
| Main Tourist Attractions |
?Yubu Island
?Nakama River
?Mariyudo Falls
?Urauchi River
?Pinaisara Falls
?Looking Glass Tree Grove ( in Komi ) |
| Yubu Island |
From Iriomote, you can cross the sandbar to Yubu Island by water buffalo cart. Most of the island is covered by a sweet smell from the botanical garden, so it is a good place to enjoy a stroll. Restaurants and shops are also available. A round trip ticket by water buffalo is 1,300 yen for adults and 650 yen for children. Business Hours are 9:00 - 17:00. |
| Others |
Rental Cars, Post offices, Medical offices, Accommodations, and Restaurants are available. |
| Contact |
Taketomi Town Local Government Office of Iriomote Island East Branch:0980-85-5216
Taketomi Town Local Government Office of Iriomote Island West Branch:0980-85-6268 |
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| Yonaguni Island |
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Submarine Remains
Yonaguni Horse |
It takes about four and a half hours to get to Yonaguni from Ishigaki by ferry or about 30 minutes by plane. This island has a population of about 1,700 people and is about 27km in circumference. The island is famous for being the westernmost island in Japan. Yonaguni shares a border with Taiwan and you can actually see it on a sunny day. Yonaguni is home to Yonaguni-san (Atlas Moth), which is the world?s largest moth.
The sea there is very clear and the mysterious underwater ruins make it popular dive spot for skilled scuba divers.
| ACCESS |
?JTA?s one round-trip flight a day from Ishigaki
?RAC?s 3 or 4 round-trip flights a week from Ishigaki
?RAC has 3 or 4 round-trip flights a week from Naha
?Ferries leave twice a week from Ishigaki Island (Fukuyama Kaiun) |
| Main tourist attractions |
?Tategami-iwa (above picture)
?Gunkan-iwa
?Southernmost Point Monument in Japan
?Irizaki Cape
?Na-ma Beach |
| Others |
Rental Cars, Buses, Post offices, Medical offices, Accommodations, and Restaurants are available. |
| Contact |
Yonaguni Town Tourist Association 0980-87-2402 |
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| Other Islands |
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.JPG)
?Hateruma Island
??Southernmost Point Monument in Japan?
?Approx. 2 hours from Ishigaki Island by passenger-cargo ship.
?Manned Island of the southernmost in Japan. |
.JPG)
?Kuro Island
??Nakamoto Coast?
?30 minutes from Ishigaki Island by high-speed ferry.
?This island has more cows than people. |
?Kohama Island
??Churasan?Observatory?
?25 minutes from Ishigaki Island by high-speed ferry.
?Idyllically beautiful island that is rich in nature. |
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