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  7. Iriomote Island: Mangrove SUP or Canoeing, Buffalo Cart Ride & Yubu Island Sightseeing with Uehara Area Hotel Transfers & Free Photos | Okinawa
Product #36073
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Visitors paddle colorful canoes through a flooded mangrove forest during a water adventure on 西表島.
Visitors stand and paddle SUP boards through a mangrove waterway on 西表島.
On Yubu Island, a water buffalo pulls a passenger cart across shallow tidal water, reflected on the surface.
A sandy garden path winds through dense tropical plantings at Yubu Island during the island sightseeing experience.
Visitors pose beside a water buffalo sculpture at the 由布島 entrance during the island sightseeing experience.

Iriomote Island: Mangrove SUP or Canoeing, Buffalo Cart Ride & Yubu Island Sightseeing with Uehara Area Hotel Transfers & Free Photos | Okinawa

Japan-Okinawa , Okinawa Islands , Iriomote Island , Yubushima Island
4.9Excellent
Sold 25+
Service language: English / Japanese
Free cancellation up to 3 day(s) in advance
Please present the e-voucher on-site
  • No. 1 in Japan across 4 categories*! Over 500,000 participants to date, and a safety-certified shop recognized by the prefectural public safety commission.
  • Enjoy the World Natural Heritage mangrove forests of Iriomote Island and the remote island of Yubu Island in 1 day.
  • Exclusive participant perks page (coupons for restaurants, information on hidden spots).
  • During the tour, your guide will take photos with a dedicated waterproof camera and provide the data for free!
  • Explore the unique subtropical plants and creatures on Yubu Island!
  • Observe the unique ecosystem of the mangrove forests through trekking.
[5% App discount] Code: APP5OFF , HK: APP15HK
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Product Info

[World Natural Heritage Site: Iriomote Island]

Iriomote Island was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2021. Approximately 90% of the island is covered in subtropical forests, and it is home to unique wildlife such as the Iriomote cat and Japan's largest mangrove forest.


- Tour Information -

- Departure time: Around 09:00
　* We will inform you of the meeting time and meeting point the day before the tour.
- Meeting point: Your hotel / Iriomote Island Uehara Port
- Duration: Approx. 6 hours
- End time: 16:00
- End point: Your hotel / Iriomote Island Uehara Port
- Min. 1 person to depart

[Meeting Point Information]
1. Hotel pickup
Eligible area: Hotels in the Uehara area of Iriomote Island
2. In front of the red vending machine at Iriomote Island Uehara Port
Address: 553-1 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa 907-1541


- Spot Introduction -

- Mangrove Forest (Iriomote Island)
Known as 'Japan's last unexplored region,' Iriomote Island is overflowing with overwhelming nature. SUP/canoe experiences in this vast natural environment are classic activities on Iriomote Island.

- Yubu Island
Yubu Island, which can be reached from Iriomote Island by a 15-minute water buffalo cart ride, is part of the Yaeyama Islands. It is a small outlying island and a botanical garden where a subtropical world unfolds.


- [PiPi's Reliability: Why Choose Us on Iriomote Island] -

■ Ranked No. 1 in Japan in 4 categories*

We are ranked No. 1* in Japan for annual number of participants, total number of reviews, annual sales, and number of employees. With a track record of guiding over 500,000 people and a top-class guide system, we support you in creating travel memories.

■ Safety-certified shop by the Okinawa Prefectural Public Safety Commission

We are a certified 'Excellent Marine Leisure Service Provider' (Maruyu), a status held by only about 3% of operators in the prefecture. All guides hold water rescue qualifications, ensuring peace of mind for beginners and those traveling with children.

[Regarding the No. 1 ranking*]

July 2026_Market research on marine activity shops / Research organization: Japan Marketing Research Organization / Research period: June 29 - July 3, 2026 / Survey overview: Targeting 5 major companies / Competitor selection criteria: 1. Companies with corporate websites among the top 100 Google search results for 'marine activities' (extracted on June 16, 2026) 2. Companies with a 5% or higher consideration rate (including free responses) in a survey of 100 people with experience / Research method: Comparison and verification of cumulative data based on public information and interviews with relevant parties. Actual figures may differ. / As of July 2026. This does not guarantee effectiveness, efficacy, or superiority.

Purchase Notice

  • If you would like a hotel pick-up within the Uehara area, please enter your hotel name and address in the "Notes" field when making your reservation. The local tour operator will provide your pick-up time
  • Please note that hotels outside the Uehara area, such as Jungle Hotel Painu Maya, Eco Village, and Latida Iriomote, are not within the pick-up zone. If you are staying at one of these hotels, please arrange transportation by bus or taxi to Uehara Port
  • For safety reasons, we kindly ask that guests meeting any of the following criteria refrain from participating
    - Pregnant women
    - Those under the influence of alcohol or experiencing a hangover
    - Those with pacemakers or heart conditions
    - Those with mental health conditions, including epilepsy, dementia, developmental disorders, or panic disorders
    - Those with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions
    - Those with physical disabilities
    - Those with diabetes
    - Those weighing over 100 kg
  • Participants with hearing or visual impairments may join, but we request they be accompanied by a helper or interpreter and consult with us in advance
  • Guests with other chronic conditions, fevers, injuries, or minor symptoms inform us in advance for further guidance on participation

Reminders

  • The meeting and disbanding times may vary depending on the season and field conditions on the day. The shop will contact you the day before the tour with details such as the meeting place and time.

  • The tour will proceed even in rainy weather. However, if we determine that the safety of the field cannot be guaranteed, we reserve the right to cancel the tour.

  • Please come dressed in clothes that you don't mind getting wet.

  • Please use the restroom beforehand. (There are no restrooms near the venue.)

  • The target age range is 12-59 years old for SUP and 3-65 years old for canoeing.

  • We will guide you to the best location based on the wind direction, tide level, and crowd situation on the day. *Please note that we may guide you to the sea instead of the mangroves.

  • Tours can be conducted in Japanese or English.

  • We will contact you the day before with details such as the meeting place. If you do not receive a call by 6:00 PM the day before the tour, please contact "IRIOMOTE ADVENTURE PiPi" using one of the following methods: (Phone: 0980-85-7240) (WhatsApp: +81 80-3630-4256) (Email: [email protected])

How to Redeem Your Voucher

How to Use Your Voucher

  • Please present the e-voucher on-site

Meeting Point

Location Name: 【Iriomote Island Uehara Area Hotel Pickup】Please enter your hotel name and address in the 'Remarks' field when booking. *Meeting time will be provided separately

Address: Iriomote Island
Meeting Time
00:00
Departure Time
00:00

Location Name: 【Meet at Iriomote Island Uehara Port】In front of the red vending machine at Iriomote Island Uehara Port *Meeting time will be provided separately

Address: 553-1 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa 907-1541
Meeting Time
00:00
Departure Time
00:00

Experience Location

Location Name: Yubu Island

Address: Yubu Island

Location Name: Iriomote Island

Address: Iriomote Island

Location Name: Uehara Port

Address: Uehara Port, Taketomi Town, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

FAQs

1. Is it possible to stay overnight on Iriomote Island for multi-day trips?

Yes, Iriomote Island offers various accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and eco-lodges, allowing visitors to enjoy multi-day trips. Staying overnight provides ample time to explore the island's natural beauty, such as its mangrove forests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, beyond a single day tour. It's recommended to book accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons.

2. What are the primary ways to access Iriomote Island?

Iriomote Island is primarily accessed by ferry from Ishigaki Island. Regular ferry services operate between Ishigaki Port and two ports on Iriomote Island: Ohara Port (south) and Uehara Port (north). The journey typically takes about 35-45 minutes. Uehara Port is often preferred for accessing the northern part of the island, where many tours and accommodations are located.

3. How can travelers reach Iriomote Island from Okinawa Main Island?

To reach Iriomote Island from Okinawa Main Island, you first need to fly from Naha Airport (OKA) to Ishigaki Airport (ISG). Several airlines operate direct flights, with a flight duration of about one hour. Upon arrival at Ishigaki Airport, take a bus or taxi to Ishigaki Port. From Ishigaki Port, regular ferries depart for Iriomote Island's Ohara and Uehara ports.

4. What is the best way to travel to Iriomote Island from Naha?

The most common and efficient way to travel from Naha to Iriomote Island involves two main steps. First, take a domestic flight from Naha Airport to Ishigaki Airport, which is roughly a one-hour journey. From Ishigaki Airport, take a local bus or taxi to Ishigaki Port. At Ishigaki Port, board a high-speed ferry to either Ohara Port or Uehara Port on Iriomote Island.

5. What unique activities can I experience at Iriomote Island's mangrove forest?

In Iriomote Island's mangrove forest, you can enjoy unique activities like SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) or canoeing, navigating through the intricate waterways. These tours often involve trekking through the mangroves to explore the exceptional ecosystem firsthand, observing subtropical plants and various wildlife. Guides typically accompany participants, providing insights into the local environment.

6. What is the Buffalo Cart Ride experience like on Yubu Island?

The Buffalo Cart Ride on Yubu Island offers a charming and traditional way to explore. Water buffalo pull open-sided carts across a shallow tidal strait connecting Iriomote Island to Yubu Island. During the ride, a driver often plays traditional Okinawan music and shares stories about the islands. Yubu Island itself is a botanical garden, featuring subtropical plants and butterfly houses.

7. Are hotel transfers available for activities on Iriomote Island, specifically in the Uehara area?

Yes, for certain activities and tours on Iriomote Island, hotel pick-up and drop-off services are provided. Specifically, for activities like mangrove SUP or canoeing and Yubu Island sightseeing, transfers are often available for hotels located within the Uehara area. This service enhances convenience for participants staying in that region.

8. Are photos included when exploring Iriomote Island's mangrove forest?

Yes, when exploring Iriomote Island's mangrove forest with certain tours, complimentary photos are often included. A special waterproof camera is typically used by the guide to capture moments during your SUP or canoeing experience, and these photos are provided to participants free of charge. This allows you to fully enjoy the activity without worrying about taking your own pictures.

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