Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Less than three-quarters of a mile (1 kilometer) after the hotel, going west, Route 215
ends, but a minor paved road continues almost another 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). The road
ends at a public campground. This entire strip of Iriomote's southern coast is fringed by the
longest beach on the island, Haemida Beach (
南風見田の浜
; Haémidano hama). There are
some beautiful fine, white, clean, sand sections along this coast, but do take note that those
signs in Japanese on the beach warn of dangerous currents. The only safe places to swim are
in the shallow lagoon areas between the beach and the outlying coral reef. It's not safe to
snorkel or dive on the reef. The campground and the beach mark the southwestern end of the
road, so we'll turn around and retrace our steps about 4 miles (6 kilometers) back northeast
to Ohara.
The port and village of Ohara lie at the mouth of the Nakama River (
仲間川
; Nakama-
gawa), the second longest of Iriomote Island. Guided river tours are offered here. Alternat-
ively, you can rent a canoe or kayak, or you can hike alongside the river's course on a desig-
nated trail. It's a part of the cross-island trail. The Nakama is not long, only about 11 miles (18
kilometers), but its banks contain almost 4 miles (6 kilometers) of mangrove forest and one
colony of Yaeyama palms. Towards its upper end you'll see what is believed to be the largest
Sakishima-suo-no-ki (
サキシマスオ ウノキ
) in Japan. Sometimes called the “looking-glass”
mangrove in English, the name's a reference to the silvery scales on the underside of its leaves.
The tree appears green from the top and white from below.
Water buffalo carts crossing to Yubu Island from Iriomote.
Continuing north from Ohara you'll first cross the bridge over the Nakama River, then
in just a little over 3 miles (5 kilometers), and less than a mile (1 kilometer) before the
tiny village of Komi (
古見
), you'll come to (here's a mouthful) the Komi-no Sakishima-suo-
noki gunraku (
古見の サキシマスオウ の木群 落
; lit. “Komi Looking-Glass Mangrove Tree
Forest”). Some of the largest and most spectacular specimens of this extraordinary tree are
found here. You can walk a very short distance from a parking area to the trees.
