About Iriomote Island

It is one of the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost part of Japan. Influenced by the Kuroshio Current, many coral reefs have developed in the sea, and the Sekisei Lagoon located between Iriomote and Ishigaki islands is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. On land, almost the entire island is covered by subtropical plants.
The island has a rich source of water. It receives a lot of rainfall, which becomes the source of many rivers and streams on the island, including the Urauchi River, the largest river in Okinawa Prefecture.
There are many animals and plants that have moved from the Eurasian Continent to Iriomote Island due to crustal movements and sea level fluctuations. Many animals and plants have also evolved independently on the island due to isolation. The island’s climatic conditions, humid environment and history of interaction with the continent have created a unique and diverse ecosystem.
Part of Iriomote Island was designated a national park in May 1972. In August 2007, parts of Ishigaki Island were incorporated into the park, the name of which changed from Iriomote National Park to Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. In June 2016, the park area was expanded, which means almost the entire area of Iriomote Island is now designated as national park.