Review Detail
4.5 1 0.5
Island, Archipelago
Quite undeveloped for it's size
(Updated: October 24, 2021)
Rating
4.5
Although Ishigaki Island is the most developed island of the Yaeyama Islands, Iriomote is the largest island of the group and quite undeveloped with 80% of the land controlled by the government. I'm not sure why the island is so undeveloped as it has two navigatable rivers which provide a lot of water. But there are only about 2,500 people living here.
So what do I like about Iriomote? Well, it is so undeveloped. There was one large beach that we visited (Tsukigahama) that just stretched on and on with hardly anyone there. I remarked to my spouse that someday it will be covered with hotels and look more like Waikiki. But not yet. We did enjoy the river boat excursion which is considered one of the highlights of visiting Iriomote.
During our visit, we stayed at a small minshuku which is essentially a bed and breakfast. I remember that after the sun went down, everyone went to sleep and there wasn't a light to be seen. The area was totally dark.
So what do I like about Iriomote? Well, it is so undeveloped. There was one large beach that we visited (Tsukigahama) that just stretched on and on with hardly anyone there. I remarked to my spouse that someday it will be covered with hotels and look more like Waikiki. But not yet. We did enjoy the river boat excursion which is considered one of the highlights of visiting Iriomote.
During our visit, we stayed at a small minshuku which is essentially a bed and breakfast. I remember that after the sun went down, everyone went to sleep and there wasn't a light to be seen. The area was totally dark.
