I am new to this board but was interested in your info on Iriomote. I will be in Iriomote from March 7th to March 14th this year and am bringing a tent and hiking gear. I want to hike to several places, (including hiking across the island). However, I wasn`t able to find any detailed hiking maps. I found some tourist maps of good spots to visit, but I need to find some good trail maps. There are several places I want to go but am not clear on how exactly to hike there.

I am an avid hiker and a long time climber. I was wondering if any of the trails would require me to bring my gear (rope, grigri, harness)? Do the trails have easy climbing on them? Can I just scramble up them without a rope? can I avoid climbing?


My goal is to get to certain beaches, and I am not really interested in climbing on this trip, just camping, hiking, and snorkeling.

Anyway, if you could answer any of these questions that would be great. No one seems to have good information on Iriomote and your previous post suggests that you have some experience with the place.

Hi Bustin,

Buying a good map for Iriomote hiking out of Japan will probably be difficult. I would suggest you to get one once you reach Japan. I have seen a couple of good ones in Tokyo, even.

Hiking in Iriomote is really interesting. Trails are usually in the tropical forest, and often next to mountain streams. You probably could do some climbing in Iriomote, although I haven't personally heard of any place to do so. But for the trails, you clearly do not need any climbing equipment. Use the extra space you can spare to add some good shoes and extra dry clothes: the trail crossing the island is sometimes also crossing streams, and it is easy to get wet. Good shoes are a must, especially if it rained before you go hiking.

Hope this helps,

Have a great time there,

sanji

Sanji,

I had some other questions if you have any time:


Can I rent snorkeling gear there? Cheap/expensive?
Where is the best place to snorkel?
Is it difficult to get here: Iriomote - Kanokawa beach


Are travelers allowed to camp anywhere on Iriomote? If not what areas are restriced?


ok thanks again sanji (so far the only guy with info on Iriomote!)

You can rent snorkeling gear in many places, but be aware that it is really expensive. As a matter of fact, everything on the island is overpriced. To give you an idea, the diving equipment rental costs 5000 yens per day, after already paying 12000-13000 yens for 2 dives. I rented a canoe for 4 hours, it costed 8000 yens for 3 persons (but just one canoe)...

As a matter of fact, buying at least a mask and a snorkel before flying to Okinawa could be a good idea... you can always enjoy snorkeling without fins.

For Kanokawa beach, sorry, I do not have any information. It is located on the southern west coast, but I do not know if you can hike there from Shirahama, or if you need to first use a kayak/canoe. As a matter of fact, Kanokawa beach is a famous dive spot, and altought a little far, divers go there from time to time... by boat only. I guess... it is just too "off the beaten tracks"

There are two things campers should be aware of, especially when staying overnight in the jungle: there are many habu, a dangerous snake which hunts at night. It is recommended not to walk around in the jungle at night. Also, be aware of leeches... But I do not know if camping is restricted. So far, I have only seen campers on the field close to the Star Sand Beach (Hoshizuna beach), but I guess that there are many places where you can stay, even if it is not formally allowed.

Check this page : http://www.city.ishigaki.okinawa.jp/en/engnews/Fish/tips.html for tips on hiking in Iriomote (official web page in English).

For snorkeling, Funauki Beach (by boat from Shirahama) and Hoshizuna beach are excellent spots. Alternatively, you can book a tour that would bring you on more remote locations (not sure it is worth the money, except if you do not have time to try different spots).

sanji

wow. 5000 yen per day for a mask, snorkel, and flippers? That is insanity. That is really dissappointing considering it costs about 3-5 dollars for most other places in the world.


I was thinking of getting my own mask and snorkel anyway, now I know I will be. Thanks a ton for that info, that is helpful.


About that remote beach, Kanokawa beach, I read on this website....Overland route about a guy going there overland. However, I can`t really understand the page as my Japanese is horrible (only been here for 6 months), and it is a long and detailed journal of his trip.

Another site does confirm what you were saying about most taking a boat there, but I`d be interested in hiking, if the prices are as high as you are saying.

I don`t think I am going to buy a single thing from that island except food, and maybe a boat ride to the start of the island crossing trail. We can`t afford to blow that much money.

Sorry, my answer was not very clear. The diving equipement rental costs 5000 yens, this includes regulator and other material, so the snorkeling equipement is cheaper. Usually it costs 40-50% of the diving equipement, so I would guess 2000-2500 yens. Which is already very expensive.

This web page : http://www.mayagusukutour.com/03seakayac.htm indicates that rental of snorkeling equipment is 1000 yens if you book a tour with them, so you can expect to pay significantly more if you just want the equipment. Most companies charge 6000-8000 yens for a day of snorkling with the material, including or not the lunch.

sanji

This is all great stuff. I am starting to get a good image of Iriomote now. I guess I keep bugging you because a place this beautiful looking is too good to waste by missing out on the best of the island. I really just love to hike and do my own thing, and didn`t wanna get screwed over by tours and inflated prices and crowded areas. All of these things tend to ruin a place for me.


You have given me a great start though, these links and info arereally helpful.

Sanji,


My girlfriend and I leave in about a week and a half now. I had another question for ya.

Do you remember a decently priced place to stock up on food and alchohol for our days camping on iriomote?

We plan on getting off the plane in ishigaki, taking the ferry to iriomote, spending the night and then the next morning taking that tour boat into the beginning of the cross island hike.


So that night before would be our best time to get all the food and drink we need. Is there any kind of tiny market or anything? Some kind of store we can get food at?


Should we try to get food on Ishigaki instead? Which do you think would be cheaper and offer more?






thanks


justin

Hi Justin,

This is in fact an excellent question. There is virtually no place with a large selection of stuff in Iriomote. I still wonder where people living on that island buy their food... I was told many of them order any special things they want from Ishigaki, and have it delivered by the ferry.

Therefore, I would strongly advise you to buy everything you need (especially food) on Ishigaki, where you can find markets and supermarkets. You would be able to buy basic food and drinks (no problem for beer, as you can guess) on Iriomote, but the selection is much more limited. Plus most (small) shops are located on the south-east part of the island, where there are only limited tourist attractions...

sanji

Great, Thanks sanji. Definitely will shop for food when I get off the plan in Ishigaki.


Another question,


On some websites it says that the ferry that used to rn to funaura no longer goes there. I was told,(by you?) that the funaura beach is the best spot for snorkeling.

I guess this isn`T a big concern but we were hoping to spend the afternoon our first day at funaura swimming and/or snorkeling around. (we would have already missed the 930am boat into the cross island hike correct?)


I think I am having a difficult time understading how big the island is. I was under the impression that I didn`t need to get a rental car to get where I want to go.

We would rather rent bicycles or little scooters, but don`t these have to be returned to the place yo rented from? In which case it isn`t really worth it if I am trying to get from wherever the ferry brings me, to funaura to stay the night.


Okay I am rambling because basically Audrey and I wanted to do some snorkeling the first day and then head into the cross island hike the next mroning, but I am not really sure how good or timely the transportation is on iriomote.

Quote: › On some websites it says that the ferry that used to rn to funaura no longer goes there. I was told,(by you?) that the funaura beach is the best spot for snorkeling.

No sure about the ferry, but I would be surprised if this line really disappeared. The problem is that the connection is not good in winter, as many boats are cancelled due to bad weather (rough sea). That is perhaps why you could read that information.
In case of bad weather, you can not reach Funaura and Uehara by boat, you will then need to go to Ohara and take a bus (no extra fee).

Not sure, even if the weather if OK, that you can make it to the 9:30 am boat. Although by leaving very early in the morning and are fast, it could be possible... as the first boat arrives in Uehara at 9:10 (it will take about 15 minutes by bus/car to reach the place from where boats are leaving for the jungle).

Quote: › I think I am having a difficult time understading how big the island is. I was under the impression that I didn`t need to get a rental car to get where I want to go. We would rather rent bicycles or little scooters, but don`t these have to be returned to the place yo rented from? In which case it isn`t really worth it if I am trying to get from wherever the ferry brings me, to funaura to stay the night.

Island is not that small. It takes more than 1 hour by car to cross it from Ohara to Uehara. The best way is probably to reserve an accomodation in advance. Then, if you inform them when you arrive, they will pick you up at the boat, and even bring you whereever you want to go on the island... That solves all problem: no need for a car anymore. As you mentionned, renting bicycles, although nice, can be inconvenient for your plans.

sanji

Sanji,

I bought a decent mask, snorkel, and flippers all for 7,500 yen. About the same price it would have cost me to rent them in Iriomote!

Thanks for the tip, I am psyched I didn`t waste my money on that, and now I have some new gear!


By the way, we decided to take your advice and get a night at a lodge near hoshizuna beach. Did you stay at a lodge you particularly liked? Any suggestions?

Last time, I stayed in Nilaina Resort, which is located very close to that Hoshizuna beach. But this is a very, very expensive place!!

Alternatively, Pinekan is about 15 minutes by walk (I think) from the beach, and is a cheap and nice place to stay.

This pension is closer to the beach, but I have not visited it (you can reserve from Rakuten): http://www.ishigakijimaumibe.com/yado/ritopenmin/penhosi.htm



By the way, you might be interested by this information :

Campgrounds on Iriomote

Haemi Campgrounds 0980-85-5860
Adults 400 yen, Children 200 yen (per day)

Hashizunatei Campgrounds 0980-85-6640
Adults 300 yen, Shower 300 yen, Tent Rental 500 yen (per day)

Hoshinozuna Campgrounds 0980-85-6448
Adults 300 yen, Shower 300 yen, Tent Rental 550 yen (per day)

Mitorea Campgrounds 0980-85-6610
Adults 1000 yen (per day)


sanji

I personally would much rather stay at one of those campgrounds, but you had said before that the pensions will offer rides to the start of the cross island hike (or to the boat toar which brings you ot the cross island hike).

If I stay at the campground I`ll be out of luck right? No ride to the 930 boat tour?

If you call the company organizing the boat tour, and book a spot, they will pick you up in the morning at your hotel/minshuku/camp(?). That might be a good option. As a matter of fact, you might even try to ask them if they pick up passengers from the first ferry in the morning to the 9:30 boat...

If not, you can them book for the next day, and reach the camping ground by yourself (walk, bus, taki) on the first day. That camping ground is 3 minutes by foot from the beach, so it is really a good location.

sanji