Iriomote Island, located in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, is covered by subtropical virgin forest on approximately 90% of its area. This rich natural environment is part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, and in 2021, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The island is particularly known as the only habitat of the Iriomote wildcat, which is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. This wildcat is an endangered species, with an estimated population of less than 100 individuals.
Near Iriomote Island is Yubu Island (Yubujima), a small island that can be reached by water buffalo cart from Iriomote. It is a popular tourist spot, although the search results do not specifically mention a tropical botanical garden on Yubu Island.
Iriomote Island and its surrounding islands boast unique ecosystems and beautiful natural landscapes, making them one of Japan’s valuable natural heritage sites. The area is known for its diverse subtropical environment, including mangrove forests, pristine beaches, and dense jungle, which supports a wide variety of plant and animal species
The video was taken on January 2nd, 2025.
Reference
Yasuharu Nagura 