ITINERARY
Experience Okinawa's Subtropical Splendors and Traditional Culture in Harmony with Nature
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It is home to distinctive subtropical landscapes, including Japan's largest mangrove forests and coral reefs, and has also been designated Japan's first "Dark Sky Place," making it a premier destination for stargazing. This rich subtropical environment is deeply intertwined with the daily lives of islanders and has long nurtured the island's traditions and culture. The sounds of the sanshin (a traditional Okinawan three-stringed instrument) and folk songs live on in everyday life, and as you spend time in this space, you will feel a deep respect and awe for ancient customs and the natural world.
Itinerary Highlights
- Take a private hiking tour of Ishigaki Island to experience its natural environment and culture.
- Watch the sun set beyond red-tiled rooftops and enjoy awe-inspiring stargazing on Taketomijima Island, a designated International Dark Sky Place.
- Discover the diverse marine life of the crystal-clear "Iriomote Blue" waters through an introductory diving experience.
- Paddle upstream through a mangrove-lined river by kayak and participate in a beach cleanup by collecting trash that has washed ashore.
Immerse yourself in the local nature and cultures of Ishigakijima and Taketomijima Islands
Arrive at Painushima Ishigaki Airport in the late morning and have a quick lunch. With the necessary prearrangement, you can have a local guide meet you to give you a tailored private tour of Ishigakijima Island. Trek forest and mountain trails, stroll along the island’s shores, and visit secluded coral beaches and hidden scenic lookouts. Take breaks along the way, as your guide plays local folk songs on the sanshin.
In the late afternoon, catch the last ferry from Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal to Taketomijima Island for the Taketomi Island Twilight Tour. Watch the sunset over the traditional red-tiled roofs on the island, followed by the starry sky above. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park was the first park in Japan to be designated an International Dark Sky Place by DarkSky, the world's largest non-profit organization working to prevent light pollution. The three-hour tour offers spectacular stargazing and introduces you to the efforts the community on Taketomijima is making to minimize light pollution. Once the tour ends, you will be taken back to Ishigakijima by charter boat.
From the Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, return to your hotel for a good night’s rest.
Discover the majesty of Iriomotejima’s coral reefs
Get an early start and take a one-hour ferry from Ishigakijima Island to Uehara Port on Iriomotejima Island. The island is a World Natural Heritage site and its waters have many large coral reefs made up of diverse coral species. These reefs support a broad spectrum of marine life. Experience the island’s enchanting underwater environments with guides of Diving Team Unarizuki, who provide safe diving experiences while respecting the delicate ecology of the coral reefs. Actions to protect the reefs include diving into the water and setting the boat's anchor by hand to minimize damage to the coral.
Spot colorful fish and other marine life as you swim in the clear waters during this full-day activity. The tours and diving locations are set according to experience level. After an exhilarating day in the water, you can check in to your accommodation on Iriomotejima and spend the evening relaxing.
Explore and restore Iriomotejima’s environment
Embark from Uehara Port in the morning for a unique environmental cleanup adventure. The experience begins with a kayak journey through mangrove forests, followed by a jungle hike to Pinaisara Falls. The waterfall has a 55-meter cascade and is Okinawa’s tallest. At the waterfall you will break for refreshments which include rice balls wrapped, without plastic, in plant leaves. The experience concludes with a beach clean. You will be given a bag so that you can help pick up the trash that has washed up on the beach. The far-reaching impacts of human activity become increasingly clear as your bag quickly becomes full.
The tour ends at Uehara Port, where you can board a ferry back to Ishigakijima Island. Continue by bus to Painushima Ishigaki Airport to catch a flight to your next destination.