Yubu is a small island about 2 km around, just in front of the Mihara settlement on the east coast of Iriomote. You cross the shallow sea on a cart pulled by a water buffalo, and the whole island is laid out as a subtropical botanical garden. Most visitors come on a day trip from Ishigaki via Ohara Port on Iriomote.
Key facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.15 km² |
| Population | 23 (20 households) |
| Municipality | Taketomi Town |
| Round-trip cart + entry | Adults (junior high and up) ¥2,000, elementary-school children ¥1,000, preschoolers free. Walking across instead of riding: ¥700 / ¥350 |
| Hours | 9:15–16:30 (last entry 15:45) |
| Carts from Iriomote | First 9:15, last 16:00, roughly every 15–30 minutes |
| Last cart back | 16:30 |
| Crossing time | About 15 minutes each way |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
Getting there
Take the ferry from Ishigaki to Ohara Port on Iriomote (about 40–50 minutes, ¥2,520 one way for adults), then the island bus to the Yubu cart stop (about 26 minutes, ¥450) or a tour shuttle. Many day tours combine Yubu with the Nakama River mangrove cruise. If you travel independently, note that the bus runs only 4 times a day.
History
One man began planting trees here alone in 1972, and the island opened as a botanical garden in 1981.
Questions
Can I visit from Ishigaki in a day?
Yes. Day tours via Ohara Port that combine the Nakama River cruise are the standard way. Independently, take the island bus from Ohara Port to the Yubu cart stop.
How much is the water-buffalo cart?
¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for elementary-school children for the round trip including entry; preschoolers are free (checked August 2026).
How long do I need?
One to two hours on the island. Last entry is 15:45 and the last cart back is 16:30, so arrive early in the afternoon at the latest.
Figures and schedules change. This page was last checked in October 2026.
