Iriomote Island

It was March, and it was warm, and it was paradise.
Find a local guide and have them take you around.
Don’t forget to canoe, fish, and go to the top of the fall.
Go to the bay at low tide. You can experience the feeling of ‘walking on water’.

It was wonderful, divinely sleepy, relaxing getaway – perfect if you live on Okinawa. We stayed at the Irumote So mentioned by “beeb” below. We paid 7,000 yen each (!) But had a private room with bath, air, meals, not to mention that view. They shuttled us around to/from ferry and rental car place. Also, met lots of friendly people in the shared dining room. We snorkeled and saw a great variety of fish (many more than Okinawa honto). We hiked up to see the waterfalls and cooled off in the river pools. Had delicious “Iriomote Soba” at roadside stand and frozen pineapple on a stick at another (which you pay for in a little box left out by a refrigerator.) I’d say it’s probably worth renting a car. It’s certainly worth a visit.

that thank fully never got built. in a harbour the japanes navy used to hide battle ships. i remember lots of waterfalls…

This island has some of the most unique flora and fauna in the world. If you want to find the link between our sea-bound and land bound ancestors, this is the place to go. In the tidal mud flats you can get lucky and see mudskippers – fish that partially live out of the water.

If you are after nightlife, then this is not the place for you. If you enjoy scenery, fab views, beaches, sand, rainforest, wonderful people, then go. Bit of an effort to get there if don’t speak Japanese. Can get a return ferry ticket from RKK Lines (cheaper if do) from Naha to Ishigaki. Ferry leaves Monday night and arrives Tuesday morning (only leaves Ishigaki Tuesday and arrives Wednesday morning). Then follow everyone else and get a wee boat to Iriomote (again discounts if get return ticket). Recommend stay Irumote-So Youth Hostel close to Funara Port rather than the other YH 20 minutes walking distance away. For 300 Yen more, you get a better quality hostel on a hill with fabulous views, as well as breakfast and dinner, and only have to share with 1 person. The staff put on sake every night at 8pm except Sunday. Great way to meet Japanese people staying there. Get a 3 day bus pass from the Green bus for 1000 Yen. Can also hire a car for around 5000 Yen for the day, including insurance.

This has been one of the most amazing places I’ve been to in Japan. It’s way down south, closer to Taiwan than mainland Japan. We stayed five days in a little minshuku, or inn. The eighty year ‘mama-san’ who ran the place was fantastic. In addition to the two meals a day already provided for, she sent us off every day with something for lunch. We hired a car and spent our days exploring. There is one road on the island, speed limit 40km. On one side you have the sea and white beaches, on the other the jungle-like interior and rice paddies.