 Last additions - Iriomote 西表島 |
Delicious Okinawan breakfast at Takemori Inn/Ryokan (竹盛旅館).Jan 25, 2021
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Okinawan welcome sign at Takemori Inn/Ryokan (竹盛旅館).Jan 25, 2021
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The old Ohara Port, Iriomote.Jan 25, 2021
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The old Ohara Port when it was still operating. Tour buses, taxis, etc., await arriving passengers.Jan 25, 2021
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Southern Cross No. 5 boat at the old Ohara Port.Jan 25, 2021
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On board Anei Kanko's high-speed boat "Paijima" for Ishigaki Port. The front of the passenger cabin has a space for luggage. ぱいじまJan 23, 2021
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Site of the old Ohara Port near the new one. The old port operated here until 2002.Jan 23, 2021
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Beautiful ocean between Iriomote and Ishigaki, part of the national park.Jan 23, 2021
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Pretty smooth ride.Jan 23, 2021
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On board Anei Kanko's high-speed boat "Paijima" for Ishigaki Port. ぱいじまJan 23, 2021
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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Jan 23, 2021
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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Jan 23, 2021
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Local tour guides, car rentals, etc., try to attract the attention of arriving tourists at Ohara Port.Jan 23, 2021
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Tourists arriving Ohara Port.Jan 23, 2021
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Boat ticket for Ishigaki Port.Jan 23, 2021
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Welcome sign.Jan 23, 2021
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Departure times for boats going to Ishigaki.Jan 23, 2021
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Ticket counter inside Ohara Port's passenger terminal.Jan 23, 2021
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Inside Ohara Port's passenger terminal nicknamed "Nakamarin." It has a gift shop. This building got flooded by typhoons twice in 2005 and once in 2009.Jan 23, 2021
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Ohara Port's passenger terminal is nicknamed "Nakamarin." Built in 2002 after moving from the old location. This is the main entrance from the street.Jan 23, 2021
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Tourist signs at Ohara Port.Jan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Ohara Port dock.Jan 23, 2021
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Ohara Port dock built in 2002 after moving from the old location.Jan 23, 2021
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Ohara Port dock.Jan 23, 2021
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Ohara Port, Iriomote. One floating dock.Jan 23, 2021
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Ohara Port is Iriomote's main port and gateway. Boats from Ishigaki run to Ohara quite frequently. Iriomote has another port up north, but rough waters in winter can cancel boat runs.Jan 23, 2021
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Approaching Ohara Port. Although its official name is "Nakama Port" (仲間港), nobody calls it that.Jan 23, 2021
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Almost full moon above Iriomote.Jan 23, 2021
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Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)Jan 23, 2021
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Orion constellation above Iriomote.Jan 23, 2021
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Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)Jan 23, 2021
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Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)Jan 23, 2021
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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Jan 23, 2021
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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.Jan 23, 2021
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Modern bathroom at Takemori Ryokan on Iriomote.Jan 23, 2021
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Outside my room at Takemori Ryokan on Iriomote.Jan 23, 2021
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Outside my room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. View of the bridge to Ohara across Nakama River.Jan 23, 2021
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My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote.Jan 23, 2021
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My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. Nice two-room suite.Jan 23, 2021
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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/pG9zEMWQ1Zozys1x5Jan 23, 2021
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Iriomote cattle/beef.Jan 23, 2021
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Ishigaki cattle/beef.Jan 23, 2021
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Mangrove seedling.Jan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Different plant growing on a branch of this looking-glass mangrove.Jan 23, 2021
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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)Jan 23, 2021
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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)Jan 23, 2021
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Low tide puddles.Jan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Boardwalk at Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi area. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)Jan 23, 2021
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Sakishima suounoki mangroves, Iriomote. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)Jan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Sakishima suounoki mangroves, Iriomote. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)Jan 23, 2021
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These mangroves are a National Natural Monument.Jan 23, 2021
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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)Jan 23, 2021
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Boardwalk at Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi area. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)Jan 23, 2021
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Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.Jan 23, 2021
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Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.Jan 23, 2021
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Nakama River is beyond this area.Jan 23, 2021
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Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.Jan 23, 2021
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Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台Jan 23, 2021
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Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台Jan 23, 2021
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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/Jan 23, 2021
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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. Jan 23, 2021
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Bird feeder for research purposes.Jan 23, 2021
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The trunk of a tree fern shows the remains of branches that broke off. 木生シダJan 23, 2021
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Tree fern, common in Okinawa. The fronds break off. 木生シダJan 23, 2021
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FernsJan 23, 2021
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Jan 23, 2021
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Beehive roped off. (Do not disturb.)Jan 23, 2021
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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Jan 23, 2021
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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Jan 23, 2021
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Gentle water buffalo knows the direction. Photo by Kinjo Toru.Jan 23, 2021
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Inside the butterfly garden (蝶々園) on Yubu. (Photo by tour guide motti.)Jan 23, 2021
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Having tea or ice cream on an old water buffalo cart. (Photo by tour guide motti.)Jan 23, 2021
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Having tea or ice cream on an old water buffalo cart. (Photo by tour guide motti.)Jan 23, 2021
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Water buffalo walks through shallow water to Yubu Island from Iriomote. (Photo by tour guide motti.)Jan 23, 2021
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Our water buffalo's name was Musashi. (Photo by tour guide motti.)Jan 23, 2021
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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.)Jan 23, 2021
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Northern Iriomote coast.Jan 15, 2021
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Iriomote Hoshizuna Beach.Jan 15, 2021
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Iriomote Hoshisuna Beach.Jan 15, 2021
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Bus stop (Urauchihashi) for the Urauchi River boat dock. In the background is our tour bus.Jan 15, 2021
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On the northern tip of Iriomote is scenic Hoshi-suna Beach. Famous for star-shaped sand grains, but hard to find. 西表 星砂の浜Map hereJan 15, 2021
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Mangroves near the mouth of Urauchi River, seen from Urauchi Bridge.Jan 15, 2021
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Jan 15, 2021
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Urauchi River boat dock as seen from Urauchi Bridge near the mouth of the river.Jan 15, 2021
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River cruise back to the dock.Jan 15, 2021
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Hiking back. The lady in front of me was wearing rubber slippers on this muddy trail. She kept slipping and almost falling. Her dainty feet got all muddy.Jan 15, 2021
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Kanbire (Kanpire) Falls on Urauchi River, near the center of Iriomote. This is about 2 km from the Gunkan-iwa boat dock. Or 30-40-min. hike. You can get quite close to the falls. カンビレーの滝Instead of having one big drop, Kanbire Falls flow down on a series of steps on the river for about 200 meters. The riverside also has small potholes. Kanbire (Kanpire) means "where gods sit." This spot was considered to be a sacred site where the gods gathered.Jan 15, 2021
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Mariyudu Falls. From here, the hiking trail continues to another waterfall, Kanbire (Kanpire) Falls about 250 meters away.Jan 15, 2021
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Behind Mariyudu Falls looking from upstream.Jan 15, 2021
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Mariyudu Falls on Urauchi River. About 20 meters wide and 16-meter drop in total. One of Japan's 100 Famous Waterfalls. マリゥドゥの滝*People can no longer come this close to the falls. There were people who slipped and fell in, so the closeup path is blocked.Jan 15, 2021
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After hiking about 30 min., a scenic point gives a view of Mariyudu Falls. Series of three waterfalls. It empties into a round stream pool. "Mariyudu" means stream pool. マリゥドゥの滝Jan 15, 2021
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Lush forest, but rocky and muddy trail. Hiking shoes or sneakers are good. Sometimes a tree or branch has fallen over the trail. Need to go over/under it.Jan 15, 2021
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Ferns and a nameless mini waterfall.Jan 15, 2021
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Sometimes there are views from the hiking trail.Jan 15, 2021
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Urauchi River hiking trail to waterfalls. It can be quite muddy.Jan 15, 2021
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At Gunkan-iwa dock, there's a hiking trail called Urauchigawa Shizen Kenkyu-ro. A nature trail that goes to two waterfalls.Note that cell phones won't work on the hiking trail. 浦内川自然研究路Jan 15, 2021
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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Jan 15, 2021
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Another Urauchi River cruise boat. 西表島・浦内川 遊覧ボートJan 15, 2021
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Ferns and tree ferns also grow at upstream. シダ類Jan 15, 2021
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Wish we could see the Iriomote wildcat swimming across the river, but they are nocturnal.Jan 15, 2021
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Urauchi River is fed by the runoff from Iriomote's central mountains. Urauchi River jungle cruise is about 30 min. or 8 km upstream to another boat dock called Gunkan-iwa. 西表島・浦内川Jan 15, 2021
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The boat operator narrates the sights along the river. There are even signs indicating the flora. This sign indicates a mangrove species called "me-hirugi" (メヒルギ) in Japanese or Kandelia obovata growing in brackish water.It has white, star-shaped flowers.Jan 15, 2021
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In northern Iriomote, Urauchi River is Okinawa's longest (19 km), widest (200 m), and deepest (15 m) river. It's home to a whopping 400 species of fish or 10 percent of Japan's fish species.Over 20 fish species are endangered. Urauchi River is within Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Both sides of the river are lush with mangroves and forests. 西表国立公園Jan 15, 2021
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Boat dock at Urauchi River on Iriomote. If you come on your own, the jungle river cruise is ¥1,800 for adults. 西表島・浦内川The boat cruise takes about 30 min. to a dock upstream where you get off for the waterfall hike. Boats depart here once or twice an hour from morning to early afternoon.Jan 15, 2021
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Northern Iriomote has Okinawa and Iriomote's longest river, Urauchi River (18 km). It's a popular tourist route to go on the jungle cruise, then hike through the forest to see two waterfalls on the river.Near Urauchi-hashi Bridge at the mouth of the river, there's a boat dock for Urauchi jungle river cruises. Since the hiking trail is rocky or muddy, don't wear high heels or slippers. Wear sneakers or hiking shoes. Although there's a restroom along the hiking trail, it's not as clean as you would like. Better to use the toilet at the boat dock before the cruise. Also bring something to drink. The roundtrip cruise and hike will take about 3 hours. Map hereJan 15, 2021
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On the tour bus on Iriomote going north. Lots of sugar cane. Jan 15, 2021
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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.You can book a tour from Ishigaki.Jan 15, 2021
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Stuffed toy Iriomote wildcat.Jan 10, 2021
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Times for sunrise, sunset, moon rise/set, and high/low tide on Iriomote in Oct.Jan 10, 2021
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About habu snakes (venomous).Jan 10, 2021
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Bats on Iriomote.Jan 10, 2021
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Bats on Iriomote.Jan 10, 2021
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Turtle on Iriomote.Jan 10, 2021
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Iriomote's birds.Jan 10, 2021
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Jan 10, 2021
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Jan 10, 2021
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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.Jan 10, 2021
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Skeleton of Iriomote wildcat.Jan 10, 2021
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Life cycle of Iriomote wildcat.Jan 10, 2021
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Jan 10, 2021
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Even though the Iriomote cat is all over Iriomote as a tourist symbol, we can't see any live ones.Jan 10, 2021
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Characteristics of the Iriomote wildcat.Jan 10, 2021
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Characteristics of the Iriomote wildcat.Jan 10, 2021
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In the past, they did have a live Iriomote cat here, found injured on the road and treated here. Jan 10, 2021
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There's no zoo, etc., where we can see a live Iriomote cat. They only have stuffed Iriomote cats here at the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center.Jan 10, 2021
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Only 100 or so left on the island. They are nocturnal and have stubby legs and a thick tail. Discovered relatively recently in 1965.Jan 10, 2021
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Iriomote is famous for the Iriomote wildcat (イリオモテ ヤマネコ). Endemic to Iriomote and critically endangered. Jan 10, 2021
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The center's main exhibit is the stuffed Iriomote wildcats.Jan 10, 2021
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Iriomote with the main town of Ohara on the lower right.Jan 10, 2021
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About Iriomote's wildlife.Jan 10, 2021
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Map of Iriomote.Jan 10, 2021
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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.If you see an injured or dead Iriomote wildcat, call 0980-85-5581.Jan 10, 2021
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About the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center.Jan 10, 2021
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Inside Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center. One floor full of panel exhibits and stuffed specimens.Jan 10, 2021
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Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center is a great place to learn about the island's wildlife. There are some English captions too.Jan 10, 2021
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Maira River, Iriomote. There's a waterfall upstream, but we didn't have time.Jan 09, 2021
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Maira River, Iriomote.Jan 09, 2021
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Mouth of Maira River at low tide when we passed by the day before.Jan 09, 2021
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Mouth of Maira River at low tide when we passed by the day before.Jan 09, 2021
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Mouth of Maira River at high tide. The brackish water is quite shallow, no more than 1 or 2 feet deep.Jan 09, 2021
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Lovely morning, too bad we didn't have time to kayak more upstream on Maira River, Iriomote.Jan 09, 2021
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Maira River lined with mangroves.Jan 09, 2021
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After the sunrise, we paddled along the mangroves on the river's edge.Jan 09, 2021
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After the sunrise, we paddled along the mangroves on the river's edge.Jan 09, 2021
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Jan 09, 2021
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Our guide was Harubaru, but he doesn't normally do sunrise kayaking unless you ask him to: http://harubaru-iriomote.okinawa/course/Jan 09, 2021
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Sunrise kayaking on Iriomote, Yaeyama, Okinawa.Jan 09, 2021
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Iriomote sunrise at Maira River.Jan 09, 2021
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Sunrise kayaking on Iriomote, Yaeyama, Okinawa.Jan 09, 2021
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Sunrise kayaking on Iriomote, Yaeyama, Okinawa.Jan 09, 2021
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A few clouds, but the sunrise was getting to be nice.Jan 09, 2021
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We anchored to watch the sunrise.Jan 09, 2021
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We were on time for the sunrise.Jan 09, 2021
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Off we go. The water was shallow, but we still wore lifejackets.Jan 09, 2021
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Mouth of Maira River (マイラ川) before sunrise, short drive from the main town of Ohara. Sunrise was about 6:50 am. Jan 09, 2021
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There was this dock where we could get on our kayaks. Maira River, Iriomote.Jan 09, 2021
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Iriomote mangroves.Jan 09, 2021
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Iriomote across the shallow water.Jan 09, 2021
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Iriomote mangroves.Jan 09, 2021
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Jan 09, 2021
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HibiscusJan 09, 2021
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Jan 09, 2021
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Water Buffalo MonumentJan 09, 2021
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Lots of water buffalo sculptures on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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Lots of water buffalo monuments and sculptures on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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Lots of water buffalo monuments and sculptures on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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Old elementary and jr. high school on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu. Sit on old water buffalo carts.Jan 09, 2021
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A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜Jan 09, 2021
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Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜Jan 09, 2021
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Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜Jan 09, 2021
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Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜Jan 09, 2021
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Jan 09, 2021
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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.Jan 09, 2021
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Our Okinawan lunch (Makunouchi Bento Akabana). Very good.Jan 09, 2021
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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Jan 09, 2021
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Inside the restaurant on YubuJan 09, 2021
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There's a restaurant on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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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).Jan 09, 2021
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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).Jan 09, 2021
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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).Jan 09, 2021
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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.Jan 09, 2021
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Way to butterfly hothouse (蝶々園).Jan 09, 2021
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Bougainvillea on Yubu, in bloom year round.Jan 09, 2021
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Red hibiscusJan 09, 2021
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Red hibiscusJan 09, 2021
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Red hibiscusJan 09, 2021
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Lots of tropical flowers on Yubu Island, especially hibiscus.Jan 09, 2021
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Jan 09, 2021
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Jan 09, 2021
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Jan 09, 2021
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Yubu is a very lush, green island.Jan 09, 2021
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Water buffalo pond on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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Map of Yubu sights and attractions.Jan 09, 2021
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Water Buffalo Pond (水牛の池) on Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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Yubu arrival station. (Admission charged, included in the water buffalo cart ride.) https://yubujima.com/Jan 09, 2021
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Water buffalo hoof prints.Jan 09, 2021
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Water buffalo footprints.Jan 09, 2021
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Also possible to walk over to Yubu and not pay for the water buffalo ride, but no one does this.Jan 09, 2021
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Water buffalo taking toursts to Yubu Island from Iriomote.Jan 09, 2021
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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/Jan 09, 2021
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Water buffalo taking tourists to Yubu Island from Iriomote.Jan 09, 2021
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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.Jan 09, 2021
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Water buffalo carts coming back from Yubu.Jan 09, 2021
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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.Jan 09, 2021
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We ride these water buffalo carts to the island across shallow water. Jan 09, 2021
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Yubu is a small, sandbar island near Mihara, Iriomote. They converted the island into a lush botanical garden. Jan 09, 2021
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