Iriomote & Yubu Island Day Tour with Water Buffalo Cart from Ishigaki

A leisurely nature exploration of the Iriomote mangroves and a water buffalo cart ride on Yubu Island in one day.

Iriomote Island and Yubu Island are some of Okinawa's most renowned healing islands. This bus tour takes you on a single journey from Iriomote Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the cozy Yubu Island, accessible by water buffalo cart.
First, enjoy a mangrove cruise on Iriomote Island's Nakamagawa River, delving into Japan's largest mangrove forest. Listen to your guide's explanations about the island's natural beauty, home to rare species like the Iriomote leopard cat, a National Natural Monument, as well as the crested eagle and box turtle. Experience the charm of Iriomote, often called Japan's last secret. Next, board a water buffalo cart that slowly crosses the shallow sea to Yubu Island. Gliding across the water, listening to the shamisen and the guide's stories will make you lose track of time. Yubu Island, a tropical botanical garden entirely, offers a chance to stroll and enjoy lunch while observing subtropical trees, flowers, and a variety of creatures.
This is a recommended itinerary for a family trip with children as well as a trip to show respect to parents, as it is a smooth itinerary that includes everything from gathering to moving, cruising, lunch, and island walks.

Tour Attraction Points

✅Explore Iriomote Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Surrounded by primeval forests and mangroves, Iriomote Island offers a close-up experience of nature, considered Japan's last secret.
✅Nakamagawa Mangrove Boat Cruise
Take a leisurely boat ride through Japan's largest mangrove forest, the Nakamagawa Mangrove Forest, and admire its rare flora and fauna and unique ecosystem.
✅ Ride a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island
You can enjoy the island atmosphere while slowly crossing the shallow sea on a water buffalo cart, accompanied by the performance of the sanshin, a traditional Okinawan instrument, and a guide's story.
✅ Includes a walk & lunch on Yubu Island, a botanical garden that covers the entire island.
You can stroll around Yubu Island, which is decorated like a tropical botanical garden, enjoy the subtropical trees and flowers, and even enjoy a delicious lunch.
✅Leisurely package course including bus transportation
This package includes ferry, cruise, bus, and water buffalo cart transportation, so families with children can enjoy it comfortably and spend the day without any difficulties.

A quick look at the schedule

8:00
Meet at the Yaeyama Sightseeing Ferry counter inside the Yugrena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal

8:30
Departure from Ishigaki Port → Arrival at Ohara Port on Iriomote Island

Nakamagawa Mangrove Cruise
After taking a tour bus, arrive at the Mihara water buffalo cart boarding area.

Take a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island
Free walk & lunch on Yubu Island

Return by water buffalo cart → Transfer to bus → Ohara Port

Around 3:00 PM
Disband after arriving at Ishigaki Port

※ The schedule and ending time may change due to weather conditions, etc.
※ The schedule may change depending on the tide.