Iriomote coast road by ferry
island hopRoad riders with their own bike or an Ishigaki road-bike rental who want a forest ride and a day away from Ishigaki.
The Iriomote island hop takes a morning boat to Uehara, rides 34.1 km of Route 215 through the forest to Ohara with a buffalo-cart crossing to Yubu-jima, and sails home from Ohara, which keeps running when the north-coast boats don't.
KonbiniWaterTop of chart 100 m
Hour by hour
The day一日
- 07:30ferryMorning boat from Ishigaki to UeharaAnei Kanko carries non-electric bikes for a fee; check the Uehara status first.
- 08:30lunchEarly soba at Densa ShokudoA minute from Uehara Port; or buy food to carry.
- 09:00rideRoute 215 east over the Funaura causewayPinaisara Falls on the hill behind.
- 11:30sightYubu-jima buffalo cartsLeave the bike in the car park for the crossing.
- 12:30lunchLunch on Yubu or in Ohara
- 14:00sightNakama River mangrove cruiseLeaves from Ohara Port.
- 15:30coffeeSoft serve at Shop JugonAt Ohara Port while you wait for the boat.
- 16:30ferryBoat from Ohara to Ishigaki
Iriomote's only through road never closes a loop, so the ferry does the other half of the work. By our route data the ride is 34.1 km with 378 m of climbing, mostly under forest, and in the winter north-east wind starting at Uehara puts it behind you down the east coast.
Ride at island speed for the Iriomote cat, which crosses Route 215 day and night. If the Uehara boat is cancelled, sail to Ohara and ride north as far as you like before turning back.
Photo Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Centre (IWCC) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0
Full route guide