 Most viewed - YAEYAMA ISLANDS 八重山諸島 |
The old Ohara Port when it was still operating. Tour buses, taxis, etc., await arriving passengers.17 views
|
|
There are many glass bottom boats that operate here.16 views
|
|
Typical glass bottom boat in Kabira Bay, Ishigaki.16 views
|
|
The cruise is scenic with tropical ocean and small islands.16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
The cart is driven by a guide who usually plays the sanshin for passengers as the water buffalo sloshes to the island.16 views
|
|
Water buffalo taking tourists to Yubu Island from Iriomote.16 views
|
|
Yubu arrival station. (Admission charged, included in the water buffalo cart ride.) https://yubujima.com/16 views
|
|
Kinds of butterflies in the butterfly garden (蝶々園). It's a greehouse full of flowers and plants, so it's quite warm.16 views
|
|
Common tiger butterfly (from India) or Danaus genutia. Looks like the monarch butterfly common in Hawaii. スジグロカバマダラ Butterfly hothouse in Yubu (蝶々園).16 views
|
|
Lots of water buffalo sculptures on Yubu.16 views
|
|
Sunrise kayaking on Iriomote, Yaeyama, Okinawa.16 views
|
|
View of coral reefs from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 16 views
|
|
Stargazing at Nosokodake Lookout Point. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.16 views
|
|
Ryukyu matsu pine trees16 views
|
|
Fisherman's home.16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
Found only in Yaeyama, Ryukyu serpent eagle that was found injured and being treated here. They like to eat snakes. Called "Ayapani" (あやぱに) in Yaeyama. カンムリワシ保護ケージ16 views
|
|
Squirrel Monkey Garden リスザルの森16 views
|
|
Our waitress in Okinawan dress explaining our lunch at Yaima Mura.16 views
|
|
Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center is a great place to learn about the island's wildlife. There are some English captions too.16 views
|
|
Characteristics of the Iriomote wildcat.16 views
|
|
Taketomi island in the distance. Flat, coral outcrop. Quaint, charming island, a short boat ride from Ishigaki Port.16 views
|
|
Straight ahead is Kohama island (小浜島) in the distance. The small island in front of it on the right is Kayama (嘉弥真島). The big island on the right is Iriomote.16 views
|
|
Sukuji Beach is 1 km long. It has showers and changing rooms for the public. It's also where the Ishigaki Seaside Hotel is located. 底地ビーチ16 views
|
|
Sukuji Beach has a lot of shallow water, so it's safe to swim. But at low tide, there's lots of rocks. Be sure to swim within the designated area protected against jellyfish with underwater nets. 底地ビーチ16 views
|
|
On Iriomote, one convenient way to tour the island is go on a sightseeing tour by bus. They pick you up when you arrive at the port and take you to the major sights like Urauchi River and Yubu.16 viewsYou can book a tour from Ishigaki.
|
|
We got off the boat upstream here at Gunkan-iwa, named after a rock slab looking like the side of a battleship. 軍艦岩16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
View of Sakieda Peninsula from Banna Park.16 views
|
|
This new Ishigaki Airport opened in March 2013. Due to the Yaeyama islands becoming a popular tourist destination, there were calls to built a bigger airport since 1979.16 views
|
|
At Ishigaki Airport, a large welcome and warning sign after getting out of baggage claim in fall 2020. 16 viewsIt says to please wear masks, wash your hands, avoid crowds, etc., to protect local residents. We of course took all the necessary precautions.
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.16 views
|
|
Jet way16 views
|
|
Another lookout deck at Ishigaki Airport.16 views
|
|
Another lookout deck, round, open-air structure.16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
RAC (Ryukyu Air Commuter) prop plane.16 views
|
|
Ishigaki Port boat dock. Anei Kanko (安栄観光) and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry (八重山観光フェリー) are the two main boat companies operating here.16 views
|
|
Very modern room.16 views
|
|
Although the hotel's name has the word "Beach," there's no beach and it's not for swimming. 16 viewsIn summer, they have marine activities, but no ocean swimming or sunbathing on a beach. There's a pool and lawn though.
|
|
An adjacent hotel had chairs on the waterfront for the sunset.16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
Dinner at the hotel's restaurant. 16 views
|
|
Stargazing on the Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's roof. This tour option is called "Shani-shani Hoshizora Tour" (しゃにしゃに星空ツアー). 16 viewsInfo in Japanese: https://www.utakuna-ishigakijima.com/hoshizoratour
|
|
Our water buffalo's name was Musashi. (Photo by tour guide motti.)16 views
|
|
Beehive roped off. (Do not disturb.)16 views
|
|
Ferns16 views
|
|
Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台16 views
|
|
Nakama River is beyond this area.16 views
|
|
Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.16 views
|
|
Map of the boardwalk going through the Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi district. Near the mouth of Maira River. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
Low tide puddles.16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
Iriomote cattle/beef.16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
Departure times for boats going to Ishigaki.16 views
|
|
Anei Kanko high-speed boat named "Paijima" for 181 passengers. We rode this boat from Ohara, Iriomote back to Ishigaki Port. ぱいじま16 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. 旧石垣港。16 views
|
|
My buffet breakfast at at the hotel restaurant in the main building. Most dishes are covered with Saran wrap.16 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Boarding a glass bottom boat. Your feet don't get wet.15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Souvenir shops15 views
|
|
Water buffalo taking toursts to Yubu Island from Iriomote.15 views
|
|
Map of Yubu sights and attractions.15 views
|
|
Water buffalo pond on Yubu.15 views
|
|
Inside the restaurant on Yubu15 views
|
|
Gift shop inside the restaurant. The Iriomote Wildcat is used as a tourist smbol everywhere, but we can never see the real cat.15 views
|
|
Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜15 views
|
|
Old elementary and jr. high school on Yubu.15 views
|
|
Hibiscus15 views
|
|
Iriomote mangroves.15 views
|
|
We anchored to watch the sunrise.15 views
|
|
Maira River, Iriomote.15 views
|
|
Sanshin in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Fisherman's home.15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
About the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center.15 views
|
|
Map of Iriomote.15 views
|
|
The center's main exhibit is the stuffed Iriomote wildcats.15 views
|
|
Turtle on Iriomote.15 views
|
|
On Cape Ogansaki, memorial for the 35 people who died in the Yaeyama Maru that was shipwrecked on Dec. 8, 1952 off this coast. 御神埼15 viewsMonument was built in Dec. 1976.
|
|
On the opposite side of Kabira on the other side of the peninsula is another stretch of white sands called Sukuji Beach. One of Ishigaki's major swimming beaches. 底地ビーチ.15 views
|
|
Approaching the jet bridge.15 views
|
|
Our JTA plane that landed at Ishigaki Airport.15 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport Arrivals gate on the frist floor. Where local friends or tour guides can meet you after you arrive.15 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport's nickname is "Painushima Ishigaki Airport" (南ぬ島 石垣空港) which means "Southern Island Ishigaki Airport." When it first opened, it was also commonly called "New Ishigaki Airport" to distinguis15 views
|
|
Bales of grass for cattle feed.15 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport can be seen.15 views
|
|
Oceanside from Ishigaki Airport.15 views
|
|
Boarding gate at Ishigaki Airport for our flight to Naha. We just scan the QR code on our smartphone screen.15 views
|
|
Boeing 737 winglet waving goodbye to the control tower at Ishigaki Airport.15 views
|
|
Taking off from the runway at Ishigaki Airport.15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
View from my room.15 views
|
|
|
On the water buffalo cart to Yubu Island from Iriomote. The guide also played the sanshin. (Photo by tour guide motti.)15 views
|
|
Our tour guide took a picture of us on Yarabudake.15 views
|
|
Top of Yarabudake, Ishigaki. Waiting for the sunrise.15 views
|
|
When going on hikes, best to wear long sleeves and long pants so the tree branches, leaves, etc., don't scratch you. Also protection from bugs. 15 views
|
|
These mangroves are a National Natural Monument.15 views
|
|
Sakishima suounoki mangroves, Iriomote. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Mangrove seedling.15 views
|
|
Approaching Ohara Port. Although its official name is "Nakama Port" (仲間港), nobody calls it that.15 views
|
|
Ticket counter inside Ohara Port's passenger terminal.15 views
|
|
In front of Ishigaki City Hall, a tree planted to reaffirm sister-city relations in 1999 between Ishigaki and Kauai, Hawaii. Planted by then Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka. Ishigaki and Kauai have been sister cities since May 1963.15 views
|
|
Entrance to Ishigaki Yaeyama Museum that opened in 1972 to mark the reversion of Okinawa to Japan. It's right near Ishigaki Port. 石垣市立八重山博物館15 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Glass bottom boat tour vendor.14 views
|
|
Photo cutouts14 views
|
|
We ride these water buffalo carts to the island across shallow water. 14 views
|
|
Water buffalo carts coming back from Yubu.14 views
|
|
Yubu is a very lush, green island.14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Large tree nymph (Ogomadara), Japan's largest butterfly. Wingspan 95mm or more. Very eye-catching and elegant glider. オオゴマダラ（大胡麻斑) Butterfly hothouse in Yubu (蝶々園).14 views
|
|
Our Okinawan lunch (Makunouchi Bento Akabana). Very good.14 views
|
|
Lots of water buffalo monuments and sculptures on Yubu.14 views
|
|
Water Buffalo Monument14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Mouth of Maira River (マイラ川) before sunrise, short drive from the main town of Ohara. Sunrise was about 6:50 am. 14 views
|
|
Maira River, Iriomote. There's a waterfall upstream, but we didn't have time.14 views
|
|
Several traditional Yaeyama homes in a park-like setting with lush greenery. "Yaima" means Yaeyama in the local Yaeyama dialect.14 views
|
|
Sakieda Peninsula in the distance as seen from Amparu Lookout.14 views
|
|
Ryukyu matsu pine trees14 views
|
|
Fisherman's home.14 views
|
|
Fisherman's home, side view.14 views
|
|
Inside Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center. One floor full of panel exhibits and stuffed specimens.14 views
|
|
In the past, they did have a live Iriomote cat here, found injured on the road and treated here. 14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Times for sunrise, sunset, moon rise/set, and high/low tide on Iriomote in Oct.14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Too cloudy for a nice sunrise, but the views were marvelous on Mt. Yarabudake.14 views
|
|
View of central Ishigaki from Banna Park.14 views
|
|
View of the mountains north of Banna Park.14 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport's runway.14 views
|
|
Bird's eye view of New Ishigaki Airport. Only one runway, 2,000 meters long, long enough for widebody jets. Terminal has four jet bridges.14 views(Photo from Wikipedia.)
|
|
Baggage claim at Ishigaki Airport.14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Outside Ishigaki Airport terminal for ground transportation.14 views
|
|
Car rentals across the road.14 views
|
|
Some tropical plants at Ishigaki Airport.14 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport terminal lookout deck on the top floor.14 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport control tower.14 views
|
|
Our JTA Boeing 737-800 plane at Ishigaki Airport.14 views
|
|
Passenger waiting area in front of the boarding gate. Very modern.14 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport control tower.14 views
|
|
Runway traffic stop for an incoming plane.14 views
|
|
Here it comes for a smooth landing.14 views
|
|
Statue of Gushiken Yoko at Ishigaki Port, former pro boxer and local hero from Ishigaki. He held the WBA light-flyweight title from 1976 to 1981.14 views
|
|
Room rate is about ¥15,000/person in this new annex. Pricing also depends on the season.14 views
|
|
Tropical plant.14 views
|
|
Painting of Okinawan dancers in the hotel.14 views
|
|
Painting of Okinawan yotsudake dancer in the hotel corridor.14 views
|
|
Moon was nice too.14 views
|
|
Water buffalo walks through shallow water to Yubu Island from Iriomote. (Photo by tour guide motti.)14 views
|
|
Having tea or ice cream on an old water buffalo cart. (Photo by tour guide motti.)14 views
|
|
View of coral reef from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 14 views
|
|
Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台14 views
|
|
Boardwalk at Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi area. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)14 views
|
|
Entrance to Takemori Inn/Ryokan (竹盛旅館) in Otomi, where we stayed for a night. Photo by Kinjo Toru. https://www.takemori-inn.net/14 viewsMap: https://goo.gl/maps/pG9zEMWQ1Zozys1x5
|
|
My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote.14 views
|
|
Outside my room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. View of the bridge to Ohara across Nakama River.14 views
|
|
Ohara Port dock.14 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. This old port was in operation until 2006 before the new and current terminal was built for tourist boats. 旧石垣離島桟橋。14 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. This is only 200 meters away from the new Ishigaki Port terminal building. The high-rise Hotel East China Sea is under construction. 旧石垣離島桟橋。ホテルイーストチャイナシー建設中。14 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. Only one floating dock for the larger boats. This dock has been dismantled when the new Ishigaki Port was built.14 views
|
|
Floating dock at the old Ishigaki Port. 離島桟橋14 views
|
|
Leaving the old Ishigaki Port.14 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
Also possible to walk over to Yubu and not pay for the water buffalo ride, but no one does this.13 views
|
|
Water buffalo hoof prints.13 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜13 views
|
|
Iriomote across the shallow water.13 views
|
|
Off we go. The water was shallow, but we still wore lifejackets.13 views
|
|
Iriomote sunrise at Maira River.13 views
|
|
Maira River lined with mangroves.13 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
Stargazing near Nosokodake. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.13 views
|
|
They hold traditional music performances in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸13 views
|
|
Can-type sanshin in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸13 views
|
|
Fisherman's boat house.13 views
|
|
Even though the Iriomote cat is all over Iriomote as a tourist symbol, we can't see any live ones.13 views
|
|
Roadkill of Iriomote cats is a problem especially since they are nocturnal and Iriomote roads are dark. Residents are told to drive slowly at night.13 views
|
|
About habu snakes (venomous).13 views
|
|
Stuffed toy Iriomote wildcat.13 views
|
|
Landed on Ishigaki Airport's runway.13 views
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.13 views
|
|
Giant clam decoration at Ishigaki Airport.13 views
|
|
The drive between the airport and central Ishigaki is largely rural with farmland and cattle.13 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport's control tower.13 views
|
|
View of Ishigaki Airport terminal from the jet bridge. The circular structure above the roof toward the control tower is a lookout deck.13 views
|
|
There are four floating boat docks where boats can dock on both sides. They have red roof tiles.13 views
|
|
About Gushiken Yoko. Born 1955.13 views
|
|
Inside our Anei Kanko high-speed boat to Iriomote, No. 12 Anei with a capacity for 89 passengers. 第12あんえい号13 views
|
|
Starry night from Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's roof.13 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
Different plant growing on a branch of this looking-glass mangrove.13 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. Nice two-room suite.13 views
|
|
Outside my room at Takemori Ryokan on Iriomote.13 views
|
|
Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)13 views
|
|
Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)13 views
|
|
|
Yaeyama Post Office Ishigaki Port in central Ishigaki.13 views
|
|
Inside Ishigaki Yaeyama Museum. Exhibits Yaeyama's archaeology, history, art, and folk customs. 石垣市立八重山博物館13 views
|
|
Euglena Mall years ago. A small shopping arcade very near Ishigaki Port.13 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Water buffalo footprints.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
We were on time for the sunrise.12 views
|
|
Sunrise kayaking on Iriomote, Yaeyama, Okinawa.12 views
|
|
Mouth of Maira River at low tide when we passed by the day before.12 views
|
|
Some pineapple on Ishigaki. No fruit in autumn though.12 views
|
|
Entering Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Nosokodake is part of the national park.12 views
|
|
View from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Yaima Mura is a small architectural park of traditional Yaeyama homes overlooking Nagura Bay. Open 9:00 am–5:30 pm. Adult admission ¥1,000, kids ¥500. https://www.yaimamura.com/12 views
|
|
Makishi Residence privacy wall. 旧牧志邸12 views
|
|
Ryukyu matsu pine trees 琉球松12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Sugar cane processing factory.12 views
|
|
Squirrel Monkey Garden entrance. You need to leave your bags at the entrance. リスザルの森12 views
|
|
Iriomote map shows where the Iriomote wildcat was sighted (orange tags with date and time) and roadkill locations (red tags). People need to drive carefully.12 viewsIf you see an injured or dead Iriomote wildcat, call 0980-85-5581.
|
|
About Iriomote's wildlife.12 views
|
|
Iriomote with the main town of Ohara on the lower right.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Life cycle of Iriomote wildcat.12 views
|
|
Skeleton of Iriomote wildcat.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Iriomote's birds.12 views
|
|
Looking toward Sakieda Bay and Kabira.12 views
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
JTA Boeing 737-800 plane at Ishigaki Airport.12 views
|
|
Coral reef along Ishigaki.12 views
|
|
Tour agency office near the port terminal.12 views
|
|
At the docks.12 views
|
|
Our Anei Kanko high-speed boat to Iriomote. 第12あんえい号12 views総トン数19t 旅客定員89名 航海速力38.0ノット 2003年12月進水・2004年1月就航
|
|
Departing Ishigaki Port.12 views
|
|
Japan Coast Guard boat. They have the hard job of patrolling and protecting the nearby Senkaku Islands, part of Ishigaki.12 views
|
|
|
|
