Tag Archives: Sea

Hidden landscape in Japan: Coastal cliff at Dogashima (Nishi-izu, Shizuoka)

My favourite hidden landscape in Japan is a coastal cliff at Dogashima (near Nishi-izu town, Shizuoka prefecture) due to a deep blue sea, visible layers in the rock, colourful deposits, improbable vegetation, and a mysterious cave… Ride a boat to see that landscape!
Hidden landscape in Japan: Coastal cliff at Dogashima (near Nishi-izu town, Shizuoka prefecture).

If you like this landscape photographed by Sébastien Duval, admire Inner Japan‘s dedicated photo gallery!

Iriomote to Yubu island: Cross the sea with a water buffalo!

During your stay on Iriomote island, a water buffalo with large circular horns can quickly take you across the sea to visit the botanical garden of Yubu island! It is great fun the first time and there is no way to get sea sick :)

Travel photo 1: Water buffalos ready to go to Yubu island.
Water buffalos on 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) ready to go to 由布島 (Yubu island) on 01 November 2008.

Travel photo 2: Tourists crossing the sea in a cart pulled by a water buffalo :)
Tourists in a cart pulled by a water buffalo crossing the sea between 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) and 由布島 (Yubu island) on 01 November 2008.

Travel photo 3: Iriomote island seen from behind a water buffalo!
西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) seen from behind a water buffalo on 01 November 2008.

During my autumnal trip in Okinawa, the driver even played an Okinawan musical instrument “sanshin” during the crossing :) Will you be that lucky too?

USEFUL LINKS

 

USEFUL JAPANESE
  • Water buffalo = 水牛 (Suigyu).
  • Iriomote island = 西表島 (Iriomote-jima), Yubu island = 由布島 (Yubu-jima).
  • Okinawa prefecture = 沖縄県 (Okinawa-ken).

Canoeing & trekking for exciting landscapes at Iriomote island’s jungle

Active travellers with a guide can witness beautiful and exciting landscapes at Iriomote island’s jungle, as I did during my second stay in Okinawa in 2008. A helicopter tour would give you great views of the island but you would miss the unique sights of inner Japan enjoyed while canoeing or trekking in the jungle!

Ecotour photo 1: River partly covered by trees seen from a canoe.
View from a canoe on a river in the jungle of 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) on 31 October 2008.

Ecotour photo 2: First sight of Pinaisara waterfalls while canoeing.
ピナイサーラの滝 (Pinaisara waterfalls) seen from a river in the jungle of 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) on 31 October 2008.

Ecotour photo 3: River seen through dense foliage while trekking in the jungle.
River seen from the jungle of 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) on 31 October 2008.

Ecotour photo 4: Best panorama of Iriomote island from the top of Pinaisara waterfalls… See the top of the waterfalls, lively jungle, barely visible river, multi-coloured sea, and bright sky!
ピナイサーラの滝 (Pinaisara waterfalls) above the jungle of 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) on 31 October 2008.

Ecotour photo 5: Sébastien Duval with a smile at the bottom of Pinaisara waterfalls after trekking.
Sébastien Duval at the bottom of ピナイサーラの滝 (Pinaisara waterfalls) on 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) on 31 October 2008.

Adventurers, nature lovers and travellers trying to find inner peace, your visit at Iriomote island may be your only chance to see such landscapes… Make the best of it!

USEFUL LINKS

 

USEFUL JAPANESE
  • Iriomote island = 西表島 (Iriomote-jima), Okinawa prefecture = 沖縄県 (Okinawa-ken).
  • Pinaisara waterfalls = ピナイサーラの滝 (Pinaisara-no-taki).

Any famous hot spring in Okinawa prefecture?

Okinawa prefecture has no famous hot spring. Still, Okinawa lets you relax in the water: you can swim in the sea at beautiful beaches or e.g. in the fresh pool at the bottom of Pinaisara waterfalls on Iriomote island! This is inner Japan :)

ピナイサーラの滝 (Pinaisara waterfalls) above the jungle of 西表島 (Iriomote island, Japan) on 31 October 2008.

USEFUL LINKS

 

USEFUL JAPANESE
  • Hot spring = 温泉 (Onsen).
  • Okinawa prefecture = 沖縄県 (Okinawa-ken), Iriomote island = 西表島 (Iriomote-jima).
  • Pinaisara waterfalls = ピナイサーラの滝 (Pinaisara-no-taki).