A thorough explanation of Yubu Island! Introduced by a professional guide living in Iriomote Island!

Hello everyone!

 

Yufu Island isOne of the remote islands that make up the Yaeyama IslandsIt is.

 

From Iriomote IslandWhen heading to Yufu Island, you can cross the sea on a water buffalo cart while listening to sanshin music.

 

This is a must-visit spot if you want to soak up the island's atmosphere!

 

In this post, I’d like to introduce you to Yufu Island!

 

 

What Is Yufu Island?

How was Yufu Island formed?

 

Yubu Island was formed when sand eroded from the Yonara River on Iriomote Island was carried by ocean currents,It is an island formed by sediment such as sand.

Due to the island's unique geological formations and its distinctive subtropical climate, a diverse array of unusual flora and fauna thrives there.

 

Depending on who visits Iriomote Island,Iriomote Island's No. 1 Tourist AttractionMany people describe it that way.

With a circumference of 2.15 km, it is one of the smaller islands in the archipelago, so even at a leisurely pace, it takes about an hour to walk all the way around it.

 

Yufu Island is an inhabited island with a small population of just nine people; in fact, there are more water buffalo than people on the island.

 

Getting to Yufu Island

You cannot travel directly from Ishigaki Island to Yubu Island. You must first stop over on Iriomote Island.

 

Iriomote Island has“Uehara Port”着and“Ohara Port”着...and so on.

Since the water buffalo cart boarding area is some distance from each port, you'll need to travel by car.

 

Directions from Uehara Port

From Uehara Port, take Prefectural Route 135 southAbout 35 minutes by carYou can access it here.

 

Iriomote Island isThere were only four taxis,Public buses, too4 flights a dayThat said, considering how large the island is, you can’t really say the transportation is convenient.

 

So, if you want to visit Yubu Island, you’ll need to rent a car—or if you’d rather spend the whole day enjoying Iriomote Island on a day trip, thenWe recommend joining an activity tour that includes a visit to Yufu Island!

 

Directions from Ohara Port

From Ohara Port, head north on Prefectural Route 135Approximately 20 minutes by carYou can access it here.

 

Since it doesn't take very long to get there from Ohara Port,For those who want to enjoy a day trip to Yufu Island or take a leisurely tour of the outlying islands!We recommend this for people like that!

 

To get from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island, you take a water buffalo cart across the sea.

 

While we're crossing, the elderly driver plays the sanshin and sings folk songs for us.

 

The gentle rocking of the water buffalo cart, as you bask in Okinawa’s gentle tropical breeze, is absolutely delightful.

 

Features of Yufu Island

People once moved to Yufu Island from Taketomi Island and Kuro Island, and it was once a bustling place with a large population.

 

However, in 1996, a massive typhoon caused catastrophic damage to Yufu Island, resulting in many casualties.

Many of the survivors moved to Iriomote Island.

 

Even as the island's population continues to decline,Grandpa Shoji Iriomote and His WifeIt is said that he remained on the island, hoping that people would return there one day, and continued to plant subtropical plants.

Nowadays,No. 1 Tourist AttractionIt has even come to be said that the entire island of Yufu is covered in subtropical vegetation.

 

As a result, we are now able to see a variety of animals and plants.

 

A Relaxing Stay on Historic Yufu IslandWhy not enjoy observing the tropical flora and fauna and taking your time to relax?

As mentioned above, Yufu Island is home to flora and fauna unique to subtropical regions.

 

Since you'll see nothing but creatures you can't find on the mainland, you're in for one surprise after another.

There are water buffalo lying around near the water buffalo cart stop, and they're really cute.

 

Since each one has its own unique personality, it's fun to compare them.

It’s not an island for outdoor activities, but rather a tourist destination where you can experience the laid-back lifestyle typical of Okinawa.

 

I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to sightsee while taking in the island's laid-back atmosphere!

 

Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Yufu Island

Things to Keep in Mind on Yufu Island
① What if I'm going on a day trip from Ishigaki Island?

If you're planning a day trip from Ishigaki Island to Yubu Island, take the ferry from Ishigaki Island to Ohara Port on Iriomote Island.

 

From there, take a rental car or a local bus to the Yufushima Water Buffalo Cart Stop.

 

After that, we went to Yufu Island to do some sightseeing, and then,In order to catch the flight back from Ishigaki IslandLet's head back from Yufu Island by water buffalo cart.

 

Things to Keep in Mind on Yufu Island
② Will it get wet?

You can generally assume that you won't get wet unless it's raining.

 

Although you'll cross the sea while riding the water buffalo cart, you'll get on and off at the boarding and disembarking points, soYou don't have to worry about getting wet.

 

Things to Keep in Mind on Yufu Island
③ How do you walk?

As mentioned above, Yufu Island is a small island with a circumference of 2.15 km, so you can easily explore it on foot at a leisurely pace.

 

Even if you take your time walking around, it only takes about an hour, so you can explore while checking out the shops and observing the flora and fauna,You should be able to get around in about an hour and a half.

 

Please enjoy a peaceful and relaxing time on Yufu Island.

 

Things to Keep in Mind on Yufu Island
④ Can children ride on the water buffalo cart?

Of course, even children can ride it.

 

Since we cross the ocean at a leisurely pace, there won’t be any severe rocking, so please feel free to use our service with confidence.

 

The pricing is as shown above,Children are 880 yen, and toddlers are free, so please check the prices before visiting.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
10 Spots

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
① Water Buffalo Cart Waiting Area

The first spot I’d like to introduce is the ”Water Buffalo Cart Waiting Area.”A water buffalo cart waiting area is a waiting room where people wait for water buffalo carts.

 

The Water Buffalo Cart Waiting Area has a parlor attached to it, so,You can buy souvenirs and fruit.

 

Since the air conditioning is on, it’s a great place to take a break while sightseeing during the hot summer months.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
② Buffalo Pond

The next spot I’d like to introduce is ”Water Buffalo Pond.”

 

The Water Buffalo Pond is located near the water buffalo cart waiting area mentioned above, and it is a place where the water buffalo that pull the carts rest.

 

Here, you might see water buffalo and baby water buffalo lying on the sand.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
③ Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden isThe Great Spangled Fritillary, Japan's largest butterflyIt is a park where you can observe [...].

 

Since this species is found exclusively in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, it’s one of the must-see spots when visiting Yubu Island.

 

On Yubu Island, the Great Spangled Fritillary is actively breeding—more so than anywhere else in the Yaeyama Islands.

 

The chrysalis of the Giant Swallowtail shimmers golden, so once you see it, you’re sure to be moved by its mystical beauty.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
④ The Shell Museum

The Shell Museum is a museum that displays shellfish found in the waters off Iriomote Island as well as species that inhabit the deep sea.

 

The interior, designed to evoke the ocean, features decorations such as driftwood and seashells.

 

Since it's a relatively new spot on Yufu Island, it's absolutely beautiful.

 

Since there is an exhibit featuring the wide variety of shellfish that inhabit the rich waters around Yubu Island and Iriomote Island,It's also very popular with families with children.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
⑤ Restaurants and Shops

The Yufu Island Restaurant is the only restaurant and gift shop on Yufu Island.

 

You can enjoy everything from Yaeyama specialties, such as Yaeyama soba and curry rice, to classic dishes.

 

When you hand over your meal ticket, your food will be brought right to your table, so it’s a great place to stop by for a relaxing break.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
⑥ Site of the Former School Gate

Yufu Island once had a population of 300, so it had an elementary and a middle school.

 

This site of the former school gate still bears traces of its past. Today, it is home to five different types of plants and serves as a habitat for small animals.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
⑦ The Well on Yufu Island

Although the well on Yufu Island is currently off-limits, it once served as a lifeline for the island, which is surrounded by the sea.

 

Although it is an island formed by the accumulation of sand carried by rivers on Iriomote Island,I heard that when they dug about 1 meter into the ground, fresh water came up.

 

It's really strange, isn't it? I hear that fresh water still comes out of it even today.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
⑧ Manta Beach

This is the beach near Yufushima Chaya.

 

There aren't actually any manta rays there.However, there is a wide, open beach with a clear view.

 

When you go to the beach, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean, so I recommend taking a leisurely stroll.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
⑨Children's Playground

As the name suggests, the Children's Plaza is,This is a park with an adventure course where children and their families can have fun.

 

With a variety of adventure courses available, children can enjoy themselves on Yufu Island without ever getting bored.

 

Recommended Spots on Yufu Island
⑩ Bougainvillea Garden

Have you heard of bougainvillea? It’s a flowering shrub native to Brazil, and despite its vibrant pink, red, and yellow blooms, it has almost no scent even when in bloom.It is a flower representative of the subtropics.

 

It is said that the meanings associated with these flowers—such as “passion” and “I see only you”—stem from their vivid colors, such as red, pink, and purple.

 

The ”Bougainvillea Garden” is a place where you can see more than 30 varieties of bougainvillea blooming throughout the year.

 

Since the peak season runs from late fall through March, be sure to visit during the full bloom season.

Even though Yufu Island is small, there were plenty of things to see there, weren't there?

 

Next, we’ll introduce some recommended activities that include sightseeing on Yufu Island.

Yubu Island Sightseeing
3 Recommended Tours

Recommended Tours for Yufu Island Sightseeing
① Mangrove SUP/Canoeing & Yufu Island Sightseeing

This package combines sightseeing on Yufu Island with mangrove SUP and canoeing.

 

Choose between SUP or canoeing on the mangrove-lined rivers of Iriomote Island, with its abundant natural beauty,You can go cruising.

After the cruise, we'll leave the SUPs and canoes behind and go hiking.Our destination is ”Kura Falls,” the waterfall of good luck.

 

Since neither cruising nor hiking is all that tiring, this is perfect for those who want to see a variety of places or take it easy.We recommend this for anyone looking for a stylish tour.

 

Recommended Tours for Yufu Island Sightseeing
② Canyoning & Yufu Island Sightseeing

The next activity we’d like to introduce is a tour that combines sightseeing on Yufu Island with canyoning.

 

Canyoning is the sport of descending mountain streams.It is a river activity that has long been popular overseas, and it is one of the activities that is gradually gaining popularity in Japan as well.

You can slide down a natural slide carved out of rock by the flow of water or jump into the pool at the base of the waterfall—it’s an incredibly exhilarating experience.

 

Since the guide will lead you to safe locations throughout the tour, you can enjoy sightseeing with peace of mind.

 

After an exhilarating canyoning adventure, come relax in the peaceful surroundings of Yufu Island.

 

Recommended Tours on Yufu Island
③ Snorkeling at Baraas Island
& Yufu Island Tourism

Here’s an introduction to activities that let you enjoy sightseeing on Yufu Island and snorkeling on this “miracle island.”

 

”You can enjoy snorkeling around Baraas Island, known as the ”Island of Miracles.”

"Barras" means "coral fragments," andIt is called the ”Miracle Island” because it is made entirely of coral fragments and appears only at low tide.

 

After exploring the underwater world to your heart's content on this "miracle island," why not spend some relaxing time on Yufu Island!

 

in the end

Yufu Island, widely regarded as the No. 1 spot on Iriomote Island, had plenty of unique places to visit, didn't it?

 

Also,An island formed by sediment from the rivers of Iriomote IslandAbout something...It was revived after a period when there were hardly any people left there.There were all sorts of surprising stories, such as...

 

The highlight, of course, is crossing the sea on a water buffalo cart.

 

Since this is a truly unforgettable experience you can only have here, all of us at PiPi—who absolutely love Yufu Island—are looking forward to welcoming you.

 

This article was written by.

Hello! I'm Niwa-chan, your source for all things Ishigaki Island. I have loved to be in touch with nature since I was a child, and I am especially fascinated by the rich natural environment of Okinawa. Currently based in Ishigaki Island, I provide information on how to enjoy activities such as snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking, as well as the hidden charms of the island.

I want to experience the best activities in Ishigaki Island! and "I want to get local information about Ishigaki Island! We provide detailed information on recommended spots and activities on the island to those who want to "experience the best activities in Ishigaki Island! We aim to deliver unforgettable experiences for our customers by interacting with the local nature every day.

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