Iriomote

Although Iriomote is Okinawa's second-largest island, the vast majority of its landmass remains uninhabited and untouched. The island is one of four areas in Okinawa and Kagoshima designated as Natural World Heritage by UNESCO in 2021. Its rugged, untamed landmass is surrounded by a picture-perfect ocean, both above and below, with colorful coral reefs, and attracts tourists with an adventurous spirit. Besides, the island is also covered in lush jungle, where the rare and elusive Iriomote Yamaneko mountain cat roams the mangrove forest at night. You can discover more about this endangered species at the Iromote Wildlife Conservation Center.

The island’s geography invites you to become intimate with the wildlife. Canoeing and kayaking are popular ways to explore the maze of verdant mangroves; quietly drifting through the untouched forest allows you to become completely immersed in the island's wilds. If you don't feel like paddling, take an early-morning boat ride down the Urachi River to enjoy the forest's beauty. The chatter of birdlife breaks through the morning mist on the water as the upstream river cruise meanders from the mangroves into thick jungle waterways.

• Location: Okinawa, Japan
• Best time to visit: June to October