Search Amazon.com for Travel assistanceLess than one hour by ferry from Okinawa’s main island of Ishigaki are the smaller islands of Taketomi and Iriomote. This short ferry ride will take you from the busy streets that Japan is known for to the tranquil and scenic landscapes of these two remarkable islands.
Both islands are still pretty much unknown to mainstream tourism. The traditional lifestyle of native residents remains as it was for generations. Witness the simplicity of their everyday life against a backdrop of pristine beaches, virgin tropical forests and undisturbed wildlife.
Taketomi is the smaller of the two islands but it is the most populated. A pair of shîsâ or lion-dog statues will welcome you as you approach the entrance of Taketomi Village. Notice that one statue has its mouth closed while the other has its mouth agape. The villagers believe that the closed mouth prevents evil from entering while the open mouth purges their community of evil spirits.
Similar statues can be seen on the roofs of the houses. Notice how the village is a riot of colors. There are the reds, pinks and lilacs of several varieties of flowers, the yellow tint of limestone walls and the reddish-brown of clay tile roofs. Explore nearby attractions on a buffalo cart. You may want to try driving one if you are adventurous enough.
The locals are friendly and hospitable. If you happen to stay there for the evening, join them in a concert of songs with the sweet sounds of sanshin (a small three-stringed guitar) and the intoxicating spirit of awamori, the local rice wine.
Nearby is the beautiful beach of Kondoi famous for its miniscule five pointed sand stars known as Hoshizuna. You will find several visitors sorting through the sands for these little treasures. You can join them and rummage through the grains or just buy a vial full of sand stars from enterprising local vendor.
For an exciting adventure in the wild, head to Iriomote Island and take a river boat cruise along the Nakama River as it meanders from the ocean to the very heart of the island. Rich mangrove forests guide the way and different kinds of animals may accompany you as your boat glides through.
If you are lucky, you just might set eyes on Iriomote’s famous wild cat. If not, you can always get a shirt or some trinket with the wild cat’s image on it. My favorite part of the cruise is a visit to the Sakishima Sappan trees. They are some of the biggest in the world, they are not just huge… they are gigantic!
The island also features impressive waterfalls. Less than an hour trek from Gunkan-iwa jetty will take you to the Mariyudu Falls and not far away can be found the Kanbire Falls. Mariyudu is spectacular with its three-decked cascade at 16 meters high. On the way to the falls and back you can see a dramatic display of verdant flora in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Other exciting activities to be had in the islands include swimming with manta rays at the Yonora Channel and Kabira Bay, coral reef diving, snorkeling and mountain hiking. Of course, you don’t want to miss out on the white sand beaches for a perfect day of swimming and lazy sunbathing.
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