Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Although from a distance when approaching on the ferry, the island appears mostly flat,
as you get closer you'll see that it actually is quite hilly. The ferries arrive at and depart from
Kohama Port (
小浜港
; Ko-hama-kō), which is located on the northeast end of the island.
There's a little tourist information service there where they'll give you a map. It's also possible
to rent a bicycle, scooter or car, which is advisable. On a hot day, walking across this island
would be a challenge. Because it is hilly you'll get a workout on a bicycle.
In addition to the five-star resorts there are about 10
minshuku
on Kohama. If you wish
to spend the night and haven't already made a reservation, the tourist office will phone one
for you if you ask. Most are in the island's centrally located little village, Murauchi (
村内
; lit.
“village”), but there are a couple on the southwestern tip of Cape Hoso (
細崎
; Hoso-zaki) as
well. That's also the closet land point to Manta Way, which we'll mention further below.
Manta Way, a narrow strait of crystal-clear turquoise waters between Iriomote and Kohama fills every
spring with enormous but gentle manta rays. Divers from all over the world come to experience this ex-
traordinary phenomenon.
Incidentally, if you happen to see a crowd of Japanese tourists posing for photos in front
of what appears to be a somewhat ordinary old house in the center of town, it's most likely
that you've come across what used to be the set of the nationally syndicated NHK (Japan's
national television network) TV drama
Chura san
(
ちゅらさん
). Kohama became famous for
a few years, starting in 2001, when the popular daytime drama was shot on the island. At the
time, this led to a boom in local tourism. Interest in the house has since died down, but there
is always someone who recognizes the set and wants to take photos of it.
