Yaeyama-gun: Islands between jungle, village and sea

The wider region around Yaeyama-gun brings together very different island landscapes: Taketomi’s village lanes and coastlines, Iriomote’s subtropical forest, and Yonaguni’s underwater world each have their own character. When looking for a holiday rental, it’s worth first considering which experiences you want to shape your stay. The island profiles below range from leisurely walks or bike rides to forest and marine activities.

Taketomi: Village lanes, beach and island culture

Taketomi has preserved Okinawa’s traditional landscape. Red-tiled houses, coral-stone walls, white sandy lanes, shisa figures on rooftops and colourful flowers define its traditional scenery. On this flat island, you can enjoy a leisurely walk or explore by bike. One special way to experience the villages is a 30-minute ride in a water buffalo cart, during which the guide plays the sanshin.

Kondoi Beach lies on the west side of the island and, according to JNTO, is Taketomi’s most popular beach. It is a 15-minute walk from the central village, or you can get there by bike. The West Pier is also part of the cultural heritage and is a popular spot for watching the sunset. Village lanes, a beach visit and an evening by the water offer different ways to experience the island.

The Taketomijima Visitor Center introduces the island’s nature, traditional culture and performing arts. Three large maps show the surrounding area, with recommended routes and places to observe local wildlife. The six-kilometre Taketomijima Island Natural Education Walking Path also starts here: a loop through the villages and along the coast. If you’re interested in a longer walk, you can compare this route with a leisurely stroll around the flat island.

Iriomote: Jungle, rivers and forest trails

Most of Iriomote is covered by subtropical jungle and lies within Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Pinaisara Falls has the greatest drop in Okinawa. Other natural features include a stand of Sakishima-suo trees in the east of the island and the 星立天然保護区域, designated a Natural Monument of Japan on May 15, 1972. The Iriomote cat also lives on Iriomote and is designated a Natural Monument.

Activities on Iriomote include hikes to waterfalls, kayaking through mangroves and boat trips along rivers through the jungle. For a quieter way to experience the forest and birdlife, try the 大富歩道 near the settlement of 大富. The trail passes through subtropical forest and is suitable for walking and birdwatching. The 仲間川 flows between 大原 and 大富. From 大原 Port, you can set off directly on a sightseeing boat trip along the river. These experiences offer a clear choice: a forest trail on foot, a trip through the mangroves or a river cruise.

Yonaguni: Japan’s westernmost island and its underwater world

Yonaguni is Okinawa’s westernmost island and the last place in Japan where the sun sets. Its dramatic underwater landscape draws many visitors for diving and underwater tours aboard a sightseeing submarine. Underwater formations lie off the southern coast and are sometimes called the Yonaguni Monument. Hammerhead sharks gather off the island in winter, and there may be a chance to see them between December and February. Yonaguni ponies are about one metre tall and roam freely around the island.

Sea MAKANA offers drift snorkelling and SUP experiences at white-sand beaches and in clear waters. During drift snorkelling, participants swim with the current without an anchored boat, while the boat follows them. Sea conditions vary. If you prefer to explore exhibitions and collections, there are other cultural highlights to discover: the DiDi Yonaguni Exchange Hall is organised into three visitor labs on wind, food and song. Its exhibits and materials introduce Yonaguni’s history and culture, as well as its exchanges with neighbouring regions, including Taiwan. The Yonaguni Folklore Museum preserves valuable household items used in everyday life on the island.

More island profiles: Kohama and Kuroshima

On Kohama, the シュガーロード, lined with sugar cane fields, winds through a landscape you can explore by bike. Kuroshima offers a different scene: you can leisurely cycle across the flat island through green pastures. The hill プズマリ once served as a fire lookout. From there, people monitored ship traffic and sent reports using smoke signals.

Events also offer different highlights. The 種子取祭 is Taketomi’s largest event and reflects the importance of performing arts to the island’s residents. The Bon performing arts, 結願祭 and 種子取祭 were designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan in 2007. The 節祭 received this designation in 1991. Kuroshima’s 牛まつり takes place every February, attracting around 4,000 visitors to the island that day. If you’d like to plan your trip around this festival, check the specific event dates.

Collections are also part of everyday culture: the collection at the 喜宝院蒐集館 comprises 842 objects, including Warazan, which offer a glimpse into daily life. Thinking about which of these island experiences appeals to you most can help you choose a focus for your trip and your search for a holiday rental.

Discover more destinations: Nakagami District, Kunigami District, Shimajiri District.

See the broader travel overview: Okinawa Prefecture.