Iriomote Nature Walks and Stargazing 大富・古見
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Iriomote has many hiking trails through the tropical forest or jungle. The popular trails usually lead to a waterfall, but we went on a short nature trail in Otomi that didn't lead to anything. 大富林道大正池
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Iriomote's forests are a mishmash of all kinds of flora growing wild everywhere in all directions. It's not like the neat, orderly forests of trees on mainland Japan. 大富林道大正池
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Beehive roped off. (Do not disturb.)
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Ferns
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Tree fern, common in Okinawa. The fronds break off. 木生シダ
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The trunk of a tree fern shows the remains of branches that broke off. 木生シダ
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Bird feeder for research purposes.
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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.
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Guided tours are recommended. Local guides know the flora and fauna and the difficult or slightly hazardous sections of hiking trails. Local tour guide: https://www.motti-iriomotejima.com/
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Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台
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Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台
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Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.
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Nakama River is beyond this area.
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Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.
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Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.
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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)
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Boardwalk at Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi area. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)
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These mangroves are a National Natural Monument.
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Sakishima suounoki mangroves, Iriomote. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)
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Sakishima suounoki mangroves, Iriomote. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)
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Boardwalk at Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi area. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)
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Low tide puddles.
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An exotic plant on Iriomote called "looking-glass mangrove" (Sakishima suounoki) with huge roots that look like a byobu folding screen. (サキシマスオウノキ 先島蘇芳木 Heritiera littoralis)
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In the old days, part of the root was used as a rudder on Okinawan sabani fishing boats. (サキシマスオウノキ 先島蘇芳木 Heritiera littoralis)
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Different plant growing on a branch of this looking-glass mangrove.
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Mangrove seedling.
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Ishigaki cattle/beef.
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Iriomote cattle/beef.
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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/Map: https://goo.gl/maps/pG9zEMWQ1Zozys1x5
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Okinawan welcome sign at Takemori Inn/Ryokan (竹盛旅館).
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My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. Nice two-room suite.
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My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote.
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Outside my room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. View of the bridge to Ohara across Nakama River.
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Outside my room at Takemori Ryokan on Iriomote.
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Modern bathroom at Takemori Ryokan on Iriomote.
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Dinner at Takemori Inn. Chawan-mushi, local fish, Yaeyama soba. The ryokan owner was very friendly. Not English-speaking though.茶碗蒸し、海藻と野菜和え、近海魚の刺身、近海魚の塩煮、煮物（冬瓜)、ソーキ、昆布、こんにゃく、黒紫米入り西表産ひとめぼれごはん、八重山そば
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White powder-puff flowers or sagari-bana in Japanese (サガリバナ) and a small moth. There are pink ones too. During summer, they bloom for only one night, then the flowers fall off the next morning. It was early Nov. (still warm), so maybe we got lucky to see it.
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Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)
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Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)
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Orion constellation above Iriomote.
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Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)
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Almost full moon above Iriomote.
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Delicious Okinawan breakfast at Takemori Inn/Ryokan (竹盛旅館).
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