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Yubu is a small, sandbar island near Mihara, Iriomote. They converted the island into a lush botanical garden.
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We ride these water buffalo carts to the island across shallow water.
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Water buffalo carts coming back from Yubu.
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The cart is driven by a guide who usually plays the sanshin for passengers as the water buffalo sloshes to the island.
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The water buffalo all have names and are highly trained to put on the harness by itself. They originally came from Taiwan.
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Our water buffalo's name was Musashi. (Photo by tour guide motti.)
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Gentle water buffalo knows the direction. Photo by Kinjo Toru.
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Water buffalo taking tourists to Yubu Island from Iriomote.
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Water buffalo cart ride (水牛車 suigyusha) from Mihara (美原) to Yubu island (Yubu-jima 由 布島) takes 15 min.*Water buffalo cart roundtrip and Yubu island admission for adults: ¥1,760, Children (elementary school and below): ¥880 https://yubujima.com/
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Water buffalo taking toursts to Yubu Island from Iriomote.
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On the water buffalo cart to Yubu Island from Iriomote. The guide also played the sanshin. (Photo by tour guide motti.)
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Water buffalo walks through shallow water to Yubu Island from Iriomote. (Photo by tour guide motti.)
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Also possible to walk over to Yubu and not pay for the water buffalo ride, but no one does this.
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Water buffalo footprints.
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Water buffalo hoof prints.
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Yubu arrival station. (Admission charged, included in the water buffalo cart ride.) https://yubujima.com/
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Map of Yubu sights and attractions.
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Water Buffalo Pond (水牛の池) on Yubu.
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Water buffalo pond on Yubu.
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Yubu is a very lush, green island.
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Lots of tropical flowers on Yubu Island, especially hibiscus.
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Red hibiscus
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Red hibiscus
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Red hibiscus
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Bougainvillea on Yubu, in bloom year round.
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Way to butterfly hothouse (蝶々園).
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Kinds of butterflies in the butterfly garden (蝶々園). It's a greehouse full of flowers and plants, so it's quite warm.
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Inside the butterfly garden (蝶々園) on Yubu. (Photo by tour guide motti.)
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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).
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About the common tiger butterfly or Danaus genutia. スジグロカバマダラ Butterfly hothouse in Yubu (蝶々園).
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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).
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There's a restaurant on Yubu.
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Inside the restaurant on Yubu
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Lunch was named, "Okinawa Makunouchi Bento Akabana" (沖縄幕の内弁当「アカバナ」. ("Akabana" means "hibiscus" in Okinawan.) Price was ¥1,320.Iriomote black rice, champuru, brown sugar yokan: 西表産黒紫米入りごはん、アーサのお吸い物、うみぶどう、ミミガー、漬物、沖縄黒糖煮、 アンダー味噌、野菜天ぷら、ウムクジ(紅イモを米粉であえて揚げたもの)、かまぼこ、チャンプ ルー、黒糖羊羹
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Our Okinawan lunch (Makunouchi Bento Akabana). Very good.
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Gift shop inside the restaurant. The Iriomote Wildcat is used as a tourist smbol everywhere, but we can never see the real cat.
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Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜
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Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜
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Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜
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A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜
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A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu.
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A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu. Sit on old water buffalo carts.
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Having tea or ice cream on an old water buffalo cart. (Photo by tour guide motti.)
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Having tea or ice cream on an old water buffalo cart. (Photo by tour guide motti.)
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Old elementary and jr. high school on Yubu.
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Lots of water buffalo monuments and sculptures on Yubu.
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Lots of water buffalo monuments and sculptures on Yubu.
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Lots of water buffalo sculptures on Yubu.
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Water Buffalo Monument
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Hibiscus
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Iriomote across the shallow water.
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Iriomote mangroves.
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Iriomote mangroves.
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