Iriomote, Yubu and Taketomi Island Tour Including Water Buffalo Cart Ride

8 Hours

Mobile Ticket

Hotel Pickup Offered

Language Offered

Overview

Discover a different side of Japan on a full-day tour to three Okinawa Islands: Iriomote, Yubu and Taketomi islands. Part of the Ryukyu Islands chain, the Okinawan islands inspire comparisons to Hawaii or Southeast Asia due to their subtropical climate, natural beauty and distinct culture. Your tour includes a cruise through the mangroves of the Nakama River, a ride in a buffalo cart, tours of a well-preserved Ryukyu village and botanical garden, listening to traditional Okinawan songs and a stop at the famous Star Sand beach on Taketomi.

Full-day Okinawa Islands tour of Iriomote, Yubu and Taketomi
Cruise on Iriomote Island's mangrove-lined Nakama River and learn about its natural inhabitants
Ride in a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island to visit the botanical garden and enjoy a restaurant lunch
Tour Taketomi Island by bus to see Ryukyu-style buildings, explore Star Sand Beach and stop at Yugafu-kan visitor center
Includes round-trip ferry from Ishigaki Island

Inclusions & Exclusions

Departure & Return

What To Expect

Experience the cultural traditions and spectacular scenery of the Yaeyama islands off Okinawa during your full-day tour. Start off in the morning by making your own way to the tour office. There, pick up your ferry tickets and receive a detailed briefing on your itinerary. Throughout the day, a different English-speaking assistant will meet you and provide limited translation for each activity. In addition, you'll receive a booklet with descriptions of attractions on your tour itinerary. From the Ishigaki Port terminal, board a ferry for the 50-minute ride to Ohara Port on Iriomote Island. Your local guide accompanies you on a 70-minute river cruise on the Nakama River, site of Japan's biggest mangrove forest.Next up, take a short ride to Mihara followed by a 15-minute ride in a buffalo cart. The water buffalo pulls your cart through shallow water to Yubu Island, where you can enjoy a Japanese-style lunch in the island's only restaurant and stroll through the botanical gardens. Spend 1.5 hours on Yubu, returning by water buffalo cart to Iriomote, then hopping on a bus to Ohara Port.Catch the afternoon ferry to Taketomi Island and take a 30-minute bus tour upon arrival to see Taketomi's traditional one-story buildings, stop at the island's visitor center, and visit renowned Star Sand Beach, where tiny star-shaped crustacean shells mingle with the beach sand.Finally, take a 30-minute tour through the village of Taketomi, traveling again by water buffalo cart. Your guide sings Okinawan songs and plucks the sanshin (a traditional Okinawan 3-string instrument covered by snake skin) during the ride. Upon your arrival at Taketomi Port, swap the water buffalo cart for transport by ferry back to Ishigaki, where your tour ends in the early evening.Click on "View Additional Info" for directions and map of the meeting locations.Please note: A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.