📍 Iriomote Island
📅 18 November 2026
Iriomote — A Day That Didn’t Go As Planned
So the second day, there was supposed to be one full day on Iriomote. The plan was simple — explore properly, take time, and finally do all the outdoor things the island is known for.
The rental car was picked up first thing in the morning, and the hop-on car was returned almost immediately. At that point, it just felt like being efficient.
Looking back, it was really luck.
Because it was super windy.
Not just “a bit windy” — the kind where it honestly felt like one wrong step and it might be possible to get blown toward the sea (okay, not really… but close enough to feel that way). The wind was strong enough that ferries between Ishigaki Island and Iriomote were cancelled for most of the day, except maybe one or two early ones.
And of course, it was raining too.
At that point, it became clear — this was not going to be the kind of Iriomote day that was imagined.
🌧️ The Problem With Iriomote (When It Rains)
Here’s the thing about Iriomote.
It’s a place that favors outdoor activities. Everything revolves around being outside — hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, waterfalls, jungle trails.
But when there’s rain and strong wind… there’s actually very little to do.
The island itself is almost entirely untouched, with most of it covered under the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, and later recognised as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Which sounds amazing (and it is), but it also means there aren’t many indoor alternatives.
So the “conundrum” of the day was simple — what exactly to do when everything planned is no longer possible?
🚗 So… Just Drive
In the end, there wasn’t much choice.
So the decision was to just drive around the island.
Well… not exactly around, because it’s not possible to fully circle Iriomote. The road stretches from the north down toward the south, but parts of the western side are completely inaccessible, left untouched to preserve the island’s ecosystem.
Starting from the northern side near Uehara, the drive went east, then gradually south.
And along the way, there was an attempt — a very determined attempt — to find something indoors to do.
But there really wasn’t.
So it became a drive to enjoy the views… except there weren’t that many views either, because of the rain. And getting out of the car to explore properly didn’t feel like a great idea with the wind.
Still, the drive had its own quiet rhythm.
🐾 Trying (Unrealistically) to Spot the Iriomote Cat
There was also this small hope — maybe, somehow, there might be a chance to see the Iriomote cat.
But realistically, that was pushing luck.
They are nocturnal, extremely rare (fewer than 100 left), and usually deep in the forest. Still, the idea stayed in the back of the mind while driving.
What was noticeable though, was how seriously the island takes them.
There are signs everywhere asking drivers to go slow — not because the roads are bad, or because there are many people, but to protect the animals, especially the Iriomote cat. Road accidents are one of the biggest threats to their survival.
🏛️ A Small but Meaningful Stop
At some point, there was a stop at the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center.
It’s free, quite small, and honestly not something that would normally be a “must-visit”. But given the weather, it turned out to be a surprisingly good stop.
There’s information not just about the Iriomote cat, but also about other animals, insects, and the overall ecosystem of the island. The purpose is quite clear — helping visitors understand and appreciate what makes this place unique.
And then there was something unexpected.
Apparently, there are rules about keeping cats on the island.
Domestic cats need to be controlled, sometimes even kept indoors. The reason goes back to the past, when non-native cats became too numerous — brought in by people, then left to roam freely.
They posed risks:
- spreading diseases
- competing for food
- possibly interbreeding
All of which could threaten the survival of the native species.
So the solution was strict control — a small but very real example of how fragile the balance here is.
🐆 Spot the Difference
The Iriomote cat itself looks different from a typical domestic cat.
Shorter tail, rounder ears, a more solid build, and a face that looks… less friendly, more wild. It feels closer to something ancient than something familiar.
🐃 The Buffalo That Didn’t Happen
There was also an attempt to head toward the buffalo crossing area near Yubu Island, just to take a look.
But it was closed.
Partly because of the weather, and partly due to local events like the Taketomi Island Festival, which can affect operations across the islands.
So that was another plan that didn’t happen.
🍣 A Simple Lunch That Worked
After more driving, the southern side near Ōhara was finally reached.
A small eatery was chosen, mostly because it was there and open.
No crowd, no rush — just a chef preparing fish.
Sashimi and a sashimi don were ordered, and honestly, it turned out really good. The cuts were thick, fresh, and simple. Nothing fancy, but exactly what was needed at that moment.
🌬️ Back Again, Too Soon
The drive itself didn’t take long — maybe around 45 minutes each way, even with stops.
By the time the northern side was reached again, it was still just a bit after noon.
There was an attempt to head northwest, maybe to find something else. But there really wasn’t much.
And driving the same route again didn’t feel necessary.
So that was it.
The rest of the day was spent resting.
🍽️ Dinner & A Small Island Reality
Dinner was reserved in advance — which turned out to be important.
There really aren’t many eateries on Iriomote, and options are limited. Booking ahead makes things much easier, especially for dinner.
The meal was good, simple, and a nice way to end the day.
⛴️ The Real Worry — Getting Off the Island
But there was one lingering concern.
Ferries.
With cancellations happening throughout the day between Iriomote and Ishigaki, uncertainty started to build. Only one early ferry seemed to operate properly.
Plans for the next day were already booked. Things were arranged. People were being met.
And suddenly, the question became very simple:
Would it even be possible to get back?
The weather had already been bad for two days.
And this was the worst so far.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Iriomote didn’t go as planned.
No hiking, no kayaking, no proper exploring.
Just wind, rain, and a lot of driving.
But at the same time, it gave something else — a glimpse of what the island really is. Not a place built for convenience, but one that stays wild, protected, and slightly unpredictable.
And maybe that’s the part that stays.
👉 Guide and tips for collecting Manhole Cards across Japan — click here to read more.
👉 Don’t miss Japan’s postcard-sending experience — read the full guide here.
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