Iriomote Island, a subtropical paradise.

This island boasts stunning natural beauty, with an abundance of plants and animals that have evolved in a climate unique to its warm climate.

If you're going to Iriomote Island, Yubu Island is an absolute must-see!
The entire island is a subtropical botanical garden, where you can enjoy a variety of colorful plants all year round.

Yubu Island is famous for the water buffalo cart ride from Iriomote Island to the island, but you might be wondering what the island itself is like.

For those who have never been to Yubu Island, or those considering a trip to Iriomote Island, this is a must-see guide to the charms of Yubu Island!

Table of contents
1. The formation and history of Yubu Island
2. Take a leisurely ride in a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island...
3. Commemorative photo with the beautiful cow model, Mayu-chan.
4. Here are some recommended spots on Yubu Island!
4-1, Restaurant & Yubu Island Souvenir Shop
4-2, The Shell Museum
4-3, Manta Beach and Island Teahouse
4-4, Children's Plaza
5. Access to Yubu Island
6. Finally...

1. The formation and history of Yubu Island

Yubu Island is a small island with a circumference of 2.15 km, located just 400 m from Iriomote Island.
Originally an uninhabited island, people who migrated from Taketomi Island and Kuroshima Island began to settle there, and at its peak, more than 100 people lived there.

Around that time, water buffaloes were brought over from Taiwan with settlers for agricultural purposes.
Water buffalo have become so indispensable to the island's industry that almost every household keeps one.

However, the island suffered extensive damage from Typhoon Elsie in 44, and most of the islanders relocated to Iriomote Island and other places.

While many islanders left Yubu Island, Masaharu Iriomote and his wife remained, hoping that people would return to the island, and continued planting palm trees.

After ten years of working to revitalize the island, the couple's long-held dream finally came true in 1981 when they were able to open the Yubu Island Botanical Garden.

When the resort first opened, there were only two water buffalo, Daigoro and Hanako, who became the founders. The water buffalo population gradually increased, and now there are over 40 water buffalo that are adding to the island's tourism!

2. Take a leisurely ride in a water buffalo cart to Yubu Island...

The way to get from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island is, surprisingly, by water buffalo cart!
Even at high tide, the water is only about 1 meter deep, so water buffalo carts travel between the islands.

First, you purchase your entrance ticket at a facility called "Traveler's Station" located next to the water buffalo riding area.
This ticket includes a drink voucher that can be used at restaurants on Yubu Island.

Once you board the water buffalo cart, the water buffaloes begin to walk very slowly.

A cheerful old man introduces us to the water buffalo and Yubu Island as we leisurely make our way to the island.
Apparently, sometimes he plays the sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument) and sings songs.

Because water buffalo are trained from the age of two to three, they are accustomed to people and have a very gentle temperament.

Even with the occasional water buffalo's bathroom break (lol), this unhurried time is already Yubu Island time!

3. Commemorative photo with the beautiful cow model, Mayu-chan.

Upon arriving on the island, a staff member will guide you to a spot where you can take commemorative photos with Mayu, the fair-skinned, beautiful cow model.

I'm not sure if she has fair skin, but Mayu-chan certainly has a beautiful face!
She's adorably adorned with flowers and handles the photoshoot with ease, just as you'd expect from a popular idol!

They immediately put the commemorative photos with Mayu-chan into an album, so it makes for a wonderful keepsake!

Near the entrance shop, there was a family tree of the water buffaloes.

Looking at this, we can see that Mayu-chan, whom we photographed earlier, is a descendant of Daigoro and Hanako.

4. Here are some recommended spots on Yubu Island!

4-1, Restaurant & Yubu Island Souvenir Shop

This restaurant is where you can enjoy the complimentary juice drink that came with your ticket!
Since the only restrooms on the island are at this restaurant and the water buffalo cart waiting area, we recommend taking a break here.

You can choose from a wide variety of dishes, including Yaeyama soba noodles and curry rice!
You purchase a meal ticket and place your order, and the food is brought to your table.

The Yubu Island souvenir shop, located next to the restaurant, sells many Yubu Island goods that can only be found here!

Original water buffalo-themed goods unique to Yubu Island, wildcat-themed items, and juices and liqueurs made with fruits from their own farm are all must-have souvenirs!

4-2, The Shell Museum

The museum displays a wide variety of shells, including those found in the waters around Iriomote Island, such as conch shells and turban shells, as well as rare shells that only live in the deep sea.
The cute interior, decorated with driftwood and seashells to evoke the feeling of the sea, is also a major attraction!

The hand-painted seashells displayed on the wall are simple yet stylish!
This is a truly unique shell museum where you can learn about the surprisingly profound world of seashells.

If you visit Yubu Island, you should definitely check it out!

4-3, Manta Beach and Island Teahouse

Manta Beach offers views of Kohama Island, located about 2 km offshore, as well as other islands such as Kayama Island, Ishigaki Island, Kuroshima Island, and Aragusuku Island.

The sea between Kohama Island and this island is called the Yonara Channel, also known as "Manta Way," and is a famous diving spot where manta rays migrate.

There was also a small island teahouse by the shore of Manta Beach.
You can enjoy cakes, coffee, and other treats, making for a lovely tea time on the beautiful beach.

We also recommend the gelato made with island bananas and Iriomote brown sugar! It would be perfect to enjoy while relaxing on the beach♪

4-4, Children's Plaza

A pleasant children's playground where sunlight filters through the trees.
There are playground equipment such as slides made of wood, as well as benches, so children can play to their heart's content!

If you're tired from the strong sunshine of the tropics, this is a great place to take a break!

The paths around the square are lined with various plants, making it a pleasant place to stroll around and admire them.

Surrounded by tropical plants like hibiscus, bougainvillea, pandanus, and palm trees, you might forget you're in Japan!

5. Access to Yubu Island

You can get to Yubu Island from Ohara Port by rental car, taxi, or bus.
You can also get there from Uehara Port, but Ohara Port is closer in terms of distance.

If you're renting a car, it's best to book it in advance from Ishigaki Island.
*Please note that parking lots are often fully booked during peak season!

If you take the bus from Ohara Port, the journey takes approximately 22 minutes and costs 400 yen.
Please get off at the place called "Yubu Island Water Buffalo Cart Stop".

Also, depending on your subsequent plans, using a bus pass might be more economical, so please purchase your tickets according to your schedule.

The water buffalo carts travel back and forth across the island every 30 minutes, so you can ride one whenever you like.

If you plan to use buses to get around Iriomote Island, be aware that there aren't many buses circulating the island.
It's a good idea to check the bus and water buffalo cart schedules in advance to ensure a smooth journey.

Comprehensive information site for Iriomote Island, Okinawa

6. Finally...

Yubu Island has a history of people, animals, and plants living together, and even today, descendants who have inherited that spirit continue to live and protect the island.

The water buffalo cart moves along at a snail's pace, leisurely and at its own pace.
Stopping and then starting again.

People weren't in a hurry either; they played the sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument) and sang, or simply listened to the sound of the waves.

After a bumpy ride across the sea in a water buffalo cart, we arrived at a small island that's a paradise of flowers and animals!

"Let's make Yubu Island a paradise where people can gather again..."

How about spending some time relaxing and forgetting about time in a charming little paradise on a southern island?

Yubu Island Subtropical Botanical Garden
[Address] 689 Komi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
[Telephone number] 0980-85-5470
[FAX] 0980-85-5571
[WEB]http://www.yubujima.com

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Rakuten Travel
• Jalan net