Iriomote Island 西表島
Jungle & beaches in the Yaeyama group
45mins by ferry west of the Yaeyama group’s main island of Ishigaki-jima is World Heritage-listed Iriomote-jima, 90% covered by dense jungle and mangrove forests and part of Japan’s southern-most national park.
This is “get away from it all” territory, but with plenty to do for outdoors enthusiasts - including sea and river kayaking, fishing, sailing, diving, snorkelling, hiking and beaches. The locals tend to be alternative lifestyle types.
Iriomote-jima is also home to the Iriomote yamaneko, a type of wildcat, which was discovered in 1965 and is only found on the island.
There’s plenty of accommodation on the island, as well as public transport and rental vehicles.