Written by Guest Bloggers, Janine & Ippei Naoi.
Ippei and Janine are a Japanese/Australian photographer couple based in Tokyo, doing portrait and outdoor lifestyle photography while exploring off-the-beaten-path-Japan with their 5yo old daughter.
I personally recommend checking out their blog and extremely sound advice on the islands of Japan here. And after you check it out, you’ll be blown away (seriously, blown away!) by their stunning photography. They also work as photographers in Tokyo and I highly recommend a photoshoot with them for while you are visiting Japan. What better time to take truly magical family photographs? You can Ippei & Janine’s portfolio and booking information here.
Ippei & Janine are very generously sharing the lush and tropical side of Japan that is, unfortunately, often overlooked.
If you love being outdoors, exploring the lush, tropical and green side to Japan…the advice of this beautiful family is what you need when planning your adventures.
Ever wondered about Japan’s tropical paradise?
Hang on! Isn’t Japan all high-tech and geishas??
No! There is indeed a tropical paradise, and it’s gaining popularity as it’s getting more international attention these days 🙂
Okinawa is most known internationally for its main island with its hotel resorts and the US Military base, but there is so much more to Okinawa, which actually consists of 160 islands spanning over 500kms. In fact, we often (as much as possible) avoid traveling to Okinawa Main Island — It’s such a populated and huge island (it takes hours to drive to the beautiful northern point) that you really can’t get that dreamy island feel like you can on the smaller islands. We like to head to the remote parts of the Okinawan archipelago. With our little one, we are happy to avoid so-called “kid-friendly” city playgrounds and tourist attractions, and opt to spend our time together exploring jungles, mangrove rivers, caves and discovering hidden beaches.
Our recommendations for “Okinawa-starters” are:
The Yaeyama Island group
The Yaeyama Islands have one of the largest coral reef systems in Asia. These islands are located near the Tropic of Cancer; more south than Taipei and closer to the northern islands of the Philippines than to Okinawa Main Island. If you like jungles as well as beaches, we highly recommend the Yaeyama Island group. The Yaeyama Islands are also perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are many beach-entry points, but a boat-entry tour with a local guide is the best, as they know the best points of the day depending on the weather and water clarity conditions, and your own preferences (for example if you want to see sea turtles, manta rays or specific coral, or many different types of coral, etc.).
Ishigaki Island
A picturesque grazing land for Ishigaki Gyu (Ishigaki Island Wagyu beef), and serving as a perfect hub for other neighbouring Yaeyama islands, Ishigaki Island (Ippei & Janine’s Ishigaki overview is here) offers pleasant beaches, colorful coral reefs, beautiful jungle and lush mangrove rivers, making it an easy getaway without giving up the conveniences of modernity.
Taketomi Island
For a day-trip from Ishigaki, take the 15-minute ferry to Taketomi Island (Ippei & Janine’s Taketomi overview is here), hire bicycles and peddle around to explore the quaint, well-preserved village.
Iriomote Island
For people with a sense of adventure, visit Iriomote Island, classified as one of Japan’s last frontiers, as is often referred to as the Galápagos of East Asia together with Tokyo’s Ogasawara Islands due to its vast untouched tropical rainforest and endemic species. Iriomote (Ippei & Janine’s Iriomote overview is here) is an amazing island for those with a sense of adventure. As Iriomote is covered by dense rainforest, it rains a lot! We recommend taking wet weather gear and being prepared to get out and explore no matter the weather. If this is not the attitude you have (it’s not for everyone!), maybe it is better to avoid Iriomote. Iriomote is accessible by ferry from Ishigaki which takes about 40 minutes. It is possible to make Iriomote a day trip from Ishigaki, for example if you take an organised tour.
Miyako Island group
Centering around Miyako Island, the Miyako Island group consists of 8 islands, 5 of which are populated.
The fourth largest island in the Okinawa Prefecture, this iron-board flat coral island boasts spectacular rocky outcrops, and blindingly white sand beaches with clear turquoise waters. Catch it on a sunny day and Miyako-jima (Ippei & Janine’s Miyako overview is here) is glory at its best.The Miyako Islands are a beach-entry snorkelling paradise, often reported to be as good as the remote islands of Tahiti. You can enjoy the colorful lush coral reefs with many kinds of tropical fish within just 10 meters from the beach. As the Miyako Islands are formed by emerged coral reefs, there are many limestone caves across the islands which are great to explore (especially if it’s raining!).
You can read about Ippei and Janine’s Miyako tips in detail here.
There are direct flights to many of these islands from Tokyo (Narita, Haneda). Those who are visiting Japan as tourists can purchase special fares with ANA (All Nippon Airlines) and JAL (Japan Airlines). One-way direct flight fares are as low as JPY10,000 regardless of flight distance. If you live in Japan and are not entitled to the special fares for foreign visitors, or you are searching for even lower fares, try the domestic low-cost airlines such as Peach, Skymart Jetstar, etc.
Things to take to paradise:
– Snorkeling things.
They can be rented from tourist beaches, hotels, or tour companies, however, if you have them, you can always pop your head in where the water looks good.
This is a really nice activity for kids from about 3 years old up, and even if they can’t do it properly it’s fun for them to try in the shallow water! It is best to snorkel around high tide so you don’t damage the coral (and also you don’t get hurt by sharp coral). Please be sure never to touch the coral to avoid damage.
– Sand toys for kids
– Sun protection
– Felt-soled wading boots (more for Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island where there is more forested areas).
If you want to explore the jungle by yourself (without a guide), you will need to be equipped with at the very least proper shoes for stream trekking – specifically felt-soled wading boots. The rocks are covered with moss, and they are extremely slippery. To go with normal hiking boots or water shoes is dangerous.
– A helmet, if you want peace of mind, especially for kids, for bicycle riding on Taketomi (see comment for Taketomi Island). Usually the rental companies do not provide helmets for children.
– By no means necessary, but we have our own pack raft which we take wherever we can. A pack raft is a super lightweight yet highly durable inflatable raft that becomes so compact that can fit it in your backpack. They enable you to explore all the hidden beaches, coral lagoons, jungle rivers, mangrove swamps, deserted islands, sea caves, etc., on your own, whenever you want. Please take safety precautions by using life belts/vests.
– International Drivers License. It will be essential to rent a car (in advance) on Ishigaki Island or Miyako island. It is just a pity if you’re not driving because you wouldn’t be able to get around easily, and you would be stuck at all the tourist spots.
We have more tips on our website here:
http://ippei-janine.com/
You can also check out our recommendations for off-the-beaten-path outdoor day trips from Tokyo here:
http://ippei-janine.com/tokyo-
*Ippei & Janine have also just added a new guide for Tanegashima Island in Kyushu.
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Ippei and Janine are a Japanese/Australian photographer couple based in Tokyo, doing portrait and outdoor lifestyle photography while exploring off-the-beaten-path-Japan with their 5 year old daughter.
You can check out their photography work here: www.ippei-janine.com
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