Iriomote, Protected island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Iriomote is a protected island in Okinawa Prefecture covered by thick jungle and mangrove forests that make up roughly 90 percent of the land. The vegetation forms an interwoven system of waterways, trees, and greenery that keeps the place isolated and difficult to cross on foot.
A coal mine shaped the island from the late 1800s until 1959 and brought major population shifts to a place previously home to fishermen and farmers. After mining ended, the island lost residents again and returned to its remote character.
Buffalo carts carry visitors through shallow water while traditional Okinawan music plays, connecting people to centuries-old ways of moving through this island. The rhythms and sounds reflect how residents have long traveled and worked within their unique landscape.
Fast ferries from Ishigaki Island reach the island in 35 to 50 minutes, with boats arriving at two separate ports. Since dense forest covers most of the place, exploring on marked trails or with local guides keeps you safe and helps you see more.
The island is home to one of the world's rarest wildcats, discovered in 1965 and now struggling to survive with fewer than 100 individuals. This small specialized animal is tied to the impenetrable forests and is almost never spotted in nature by visitors.
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