Why is Iriomote Island registered as a Natural World Heritage Site? What are the charms of this island? Explore Okinawa with Hoshino Resorts as we introduce five travel options.
About the Registration of Iriomote Island as a Natural World Heritage Site
Why is Iriomote Island registered as a Natural World Heritage Site?
World Heritage refers to cultural assets and the natural environment that have been recognized as a value to be passed down to the next generation as a common property of mankind. Iriomote Island is a very important island for the "Amami Oshima, Tokuno Island, the northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island" recommended by Japan, which was considered by the World Heritage Committee in July. Subtropical primeval forests cover 90% of the island, and 25% of Japan's mangrove forests are present. Moreover, it is the home of endangered species such as the Iriomote wildcats and Greater tip-nosed frogs. However, these are not the only attractions of Iriomote Island.
For example, there is an island's traditional event called "Shichi," which praises the abundance of the five grains, health, and prosperity. These island traditions contribute to our connection with nature, leading to the protection of ecosystems, and as a result, provides an "outstanding universal value" to the island as a Natural World Heritage Site. By following the conservation rules on the island, a feeling of gratitude for nature will arise and will be a great opportunity to enrich our lives.
- Senior Consultant & Executive,
ORIGINAL Inc. Masashi Takahashi - Entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989. Engaged in political, economic and public relations work at Japanese embassies, etc. as a diplomat and worked on bilateral diplomacy, inbound policy and World Heritage registration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Current position since October 2018.
About Iriomote Island
Located at the southwest end of Japan, Iriomote Island has a circumference of about 130 km and a population of about 2,400.
Most of the island is covered with subtropical forests, which are fed by rivers of various sizes. The river flows through Japan's largest mangrove forest, wetlands, paddy fields, and other areas where people live, and flows into the sea where colorful coral reefs and tropical fish live. It is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including endangered species such as the Iriomote wildcat, the Crested serpent eagle, the Yellow-margined box turtle, the Bamboo orchid, and the Silver-leaved mangrove.
Biodiversity, which is nurtured by the connections between various natural environments, is a major reason why Iriomote Island has been nominated as a Natural World Heritage Site.
About Iriomote wildcats
The Iriomote wildcat lives only on Iriomote Island and it is a subspecies of the Bengal wildcat that lives in Mainland China. The weight is about 3 ~ 5 kg, and it has features such as a thick and long tail, a long body, short legs, and round ears. The population is estimated to be about 100, making it a special natural monument of Japan and an endangered species.
Iriomote wildcats live not only in forests and wetlands but also in paddy fields, and they eat birds, rats, frogs, lizards, crabs, and sometimes even shrimp in rivers. One of the reasons why they were able to survive on the small island of Iriomote for a long time is because of the island's rich biodiversity. In recent years, the number of traffic accidents involving wildcats has been increasing every year. Please drive safely and carefully for these wildcats when you are on the island.
- Park Ranger,
Iriomote Island Nature Conservation Bureau for the Ministry of Environment Yasunori Takenaka - After working at Joshin'etsukogen National Park, Kushiroshitsugen National Park and the Japanese Embassy in Brazil, he came to his current position in August 2018.
Direction to Iriomote Island
From Ishigaki Port, where ferries leave from Ishigaki Airport to different remote islands, travel on a high-speed boat or ferry. There are two routes connecting Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, and there is a shuttle bus from Uehara Port to Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel.
Travel Journalist
Akiko Nokata
Interview by Akiko Nokata, Travel JournalistCharms of Iriomote Island Unraveled!
- Chairman of Ecotourism Association
- Shoken Taira
Japan’s First Ecotourism Association Established on Iriomote Island 25 Years Ago
- Park Ranger at the Iriomote Island Nature Conservation Bureau of the Ministry of the Environment
- Yasunori Takenaka
The Road to the Registration of Iriomote Island, Almost Entirely a National Park, as a Natural World Heritage Site
- General Manager of Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel
- Masataka Hosokawa
Three Projects to Become Japan’s First Ecotourism Resort
- Activities Manager of Iriomote Hotel
- Takahiro Yamashita
A Guided Tour by Hotel Staff Brimming with Love for Iriomote Island
- Representative of Picchio
- Shinya Kusube
The New Endeavors of Picchio: Living in Harmony with Wildlife
Recommendations
01Hoshino Resorts
Iriomote Hotel
Iriomote Island is a subtropical island in the Yaeyama Islands, one of the most southwestern islands in Japan. It is surrounded by coral reefs and 90% of the island is covered by jungle. Through outdoor activities in which guests can fully enjoy the vast nature of the island, and tours in which the rare ecosystem and culture of the island can be experienced, a stay experience to enjoy the charms of the island will be provided.
Directions to the Hotel
It takes about 45 minutes to Iriomotejima Uehara Port by boat from Ishigaki Port. Please come to Uehara Port by ferry operated by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Anei Kanko. Our staff will welcome guests from Uehara Port and it will take about 10 minutes to reach the hotel by our bus.
Accommodation plan with airfare (includes breakfast)
and limited to specific dates
- Duration of Sales
- 2021/5/20～8/31 ￥123,400〜
- Price
- ￥45,000〜 / 1 person *2 days and 1 night stay for a 2-person room
Directions to the Hotel
It takes about 45 minutes to Iriomotejima Uehara Port by boat from Ishigaki Port. Please come to Uehara Port by ferry operated by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Anei Kanko. Our staff will welcome guests from Uehara Port and it will take about 10 minutes to reach the hotel by our bus.
Aims to become Japan's first ecotourism resort
Aiming to become Japan's first ecotourism resort, our hotel will make use of the knowledge of environmental management accumulated by Hoshino Resorts. We will protect the natural environment of the island and build a sustainable tourism system.
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Ecological hotel management
We aim to achieve zero emissions by striving for "plastic bottle-free" and "disposable plastic-free." We will install a water dispenser in the building and start a bottle rental service.
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Nature tours to appreciate the charms and value of the island
In order to protect and preserve the nature of the island, which is designated as a Natural World Heritage Site, we will conduct a nature tour in collaboration with a naturalist guide who lives on Iriomote Island and loves nature. This tour will give guests an opportunity to better understand the charms of the island and the value of biodiversity.
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Iriomote wildcat conservation activities
In cooperation with Picchio, with its expertise in conservation, we offer opportunities during check-in as well as host programs for guests to learn about the Iriomote wildcats, so that information on roadkill is relayed.
Yaeyama Islands
02HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island
About 10 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island. With the spirit of "Utsugumi," which means cooperation and unity, the village and traditional culture of Taketomi Island are preserved. Enjoy a special stay in a remote island village, with independent guest rooms based on traditional architecture, meals where local ingredients from Okinawa and the island are prepared with French techniques, and cultural activities.
Taketomi Island
It is a small island surrounded by coral reefs with beautiful beaches in a village where the original scenery of Okinawa remains.
Directions to the island
A high-speed boat or ferry from Ishigaki Port can be used to travel. It takes about 10 minutes by a high-speed boat.
03Hoshino Resorts
RISONARE Kohamajima
A resort hotel located 25 minutes away from Ishigaki Island, surrounded by some of the world's best coral reefs and white sand beaches. The guest rooms are all suites and there are 60 villas scattered around the vast premise. Enjoy a luxurious time at the beach of a private island, either with a backdrop of the golden sunrise or the starry skies.
© 竹富町観光協会Kohama Island
Located in the middle of the Yaeyama Islands, Kohama Island is known as Yaeyama's Tembusu (bellybutton) and as a tranquil island with sugar cane fields.
Directions to the island
A high-speed boat or ferry from Ishigaki Port can be used to travel. It takes about 25 minutes by a high-speed boat.
Main island of Okinawa
04HOSHINOYA Okinawa
All rooms have ocean views and are along the coastlines. Guests can always feel close to the ocean wherever they are on the premises and spend a carefree time. This is the result of careful design, such as the infinity pool leading to the ocean, available all year round, as well as the spacious guest rooms situated along the coastlines, bringing in the panoramic view and ocean breeze.
Directions to the Hotel
About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport
05Hoshino Resorts
OMO5 Okinawa Naha
Opened in Naha, the largest city in Okinawa Prefecture, on May 13, 2021. We consider the entire city, which has nurtured a unique atmosphere since the Ryukyu dynasty, to be part of the hotel, and we propose a new stay in Naha that will make guests' hearts flutter with excitement.
Directions to the Hotel
About 6 minutes or 8 minutes by walk from Kencho-mae Station or Miebashi Station of Yui Rail, respectively. About 8 minutes by walk or 20 minutes by walk and train from Naha Airport.
Road to the registration of Iriomote Island as a Natural World Heritage Site
- April 1972
- Designated as the Iriomote Government Park by the Ryukyu Government
- May 1972
- Upon the return to the mainland and the return of Okinawa to Japan, it became the Iriomote National Park
- April 2016
- Almost entirely designated as a national park
- February 2017
- Natural world heritage nomination to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a country
- May 2018
- Recommended deferring registration as a natural world heritage site by the IUCN (challenges raised were area and tourism management)
- February 2019
- Re-registration by the government
- May 2021
- IUCN announces the registration to the natural world heritage site
- July 2021
- Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island were registered as the fifth natural world heritage site in Japan
Shoken Taira
Yasunori Takenaka
Masataka Hosokawa
Takahiro Yamashita
Shinya Kusube
