Nakama River
仲間川24°16′ N 123°53′ EMangroveGood with kids
The Nakama River at Ohara on Iriomote holds one of Japan's largest mangrove forests, and Iriomote Kotsu's walk-on cruise from Ohara port runs 50–60 minutes up it for ¥3,500 (from October 2026) all year.
The Nakama flows into the sea at Ohara, and its banks are a national natural monument, the Nakama River Natural Protection Area. The cruise operator and the tourism association call its mangroves the largest in Japan by area, and the river holds the Ubundoru grove of Yaeyama palms and a species, mayapushiki, that on Iriomote grows only in the east. Japan's largest Sakishima suo tree, with its wall-like buttress roots, stands upstream.
Iriomote Kotsu runs the boats year-round from the jetty at Shop Jugon, and you buy tickets there without booking. The standard mangrove course takes 50–60 minutes and involves no walking. In October 2026 the longer course to the Sakishima suo tree was suspended while a damaged boardwalk is assessed, so check before you count on it.
Worth knowing
- Use the toilet before boarding; the boats have none.
- Canoe tours on the Nakama need a booking, unlike the cruise.
- The Ohara boats from Ishigaki run on many winter days when Uehara's are cancelled, which makes this an easy winter morning.
FAQ
Quick answers about Nakama Riverよくある質問
Do you need to book the Nakama River cruise?
No. The Nakama River mangrove cruise sells walk-on tickets at Shop Jugon by Ohara port. Canoe tours on the river need a booking.
How much is the Nakama River cruise?
¥3,500 for adults and ¥1,750 for children on the 50–60 minute mangrove course from 1 October 2026.
Which is better, the Urauchi or the Nakama River?
The tourism association says the mangrove scenery is much the same. On the Urauchi you can walk on to Mariyudu and Kanbire falls, and the Nakama's extra course to Japan's largest Sakishima suo tree was suspended in October 2026.
What are the opening hours of Nakama River?
Nakama River is open Mangrove cruise departures vary with the tide, often 10:00 and 15:00 with an 11:25 boat on some days; check iriomote.com, closed cancelled or shortened in heavy rain, strong wind or very low tides.
How long do you need at Nakama River?
Plan about 60 minutes at Nakama River.
Can you get to Nakama River by bike?
The boats leave from in front of Shop Jugon, 30 seconds' walk from the Ohara ferry terminal.
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Book it
Line up the trip around Nakama River
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