Iriomote Island Registered as a Natural World Heritage Site - A Tour of Breathtaking Places in Okinawa by Hoshino Resorts

Charms of Iriomote Island Unraveled!

In commemoration of the registration of Iriomote Island as a natural world heritage site, I spoke to the people on the island who are engaged in nature conservation and promotional activities. Introducing tour guides, Ministry of the Environment staff, hotel staff, naturalist guides, and more, including their encounters with Iriomote Island and their activities on the island. We also cover one of the island's charms, biodiversity, which was the key to registration as a natural world heritage site.

InterviewerTravel JournalistAkiko Nokata

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. 28 years of interview experience focusing on the towns, people, hot springs, and accommodations of Japan. Introduced as a travel expert on a Japanese TV show, "The Solomon Style." Certified as an onsen (hot spring) sommelier ambassador, sleep & health advisor, listening specialist, sauna & spa professional, Japanese tea advisor. First encounter with Hoshino Resorts in the '90s, through the participation of a tour by Picchio.

Japan’s First Ecotourism Association Established on Iriomote Island 25 Years Ago

Chairman of Ecotourism Association: Shoken Taira

The Road to the Registration of Iriomote Island, Almost Entirely a National Park, as a Natural World Heritage Site

Park Ranger at the Iriomote Island Nature Conservation Bureau of the Ministry of the Environment: Yasunori Takenaka

Three Projects to Become Japan’s First Ecotourism Resort

General Manager of Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel: Masataka Hosokawa

A Guided Tour by Hotel Staff Brimming with Love for Iriomote Island

Activities Manager of Iriomote Hotel: Takahiro Yamashita

The New Endeavors of Picchio: Living in Harmony with Wildlife

Representative of Picchio: Shinya Kusube

Editor's Note

Through the interview, I learned something important while I was on Iriomote Island. The beauty of living, where all things are connected with each other and that there is nothing useless. None of these can be missing, and they live in harmony. This, I understood, was biodiversity, the richness of the food chain, and the result is the existence of the Iriomote wildcat. Mutual respect in a place of limited resources maintains a perfect balance for the prosperity of descendants, where the baton will be passed to future generations. This way, a sustainable life will be led. The charm of traveling in Iriomote Island is the joy that comes with using the five senses whilst healing and learning. Iriomote Hotel is working to connect tourists and Iriomote Island, a natural world natural heritage site, with the goal of becoming an ecotourism resort. There is a series of encounters with deep islanders so a day trip is not enough. There will surely be something to take home after a stay!