Yubu Island is a small island located on the east side of Iriomote Island, with a circumference of about 2.1 km and an elevation of only 1.5 m above sea level.
The sea between Yubu Island and Iriomote Island is shallow, and the depth is only about 1 m at high tide. Therefore, when the tide is low, it is possible to cross on foot or by car.
One of the most popular sights among tourists is the sight of ox carts going back and forth across Yubu Island.
It takes about 15 minutes to make its way slowly through the sea, which is a peaceful and picturesque sight.
At “Buffalo Pond,” where the buffaloes pulling the oxcart take a rest, you can even see baby buffaloes.
Other tourist spots include the Butterfly Garden, where you can see the golden pupa of the giant tiger butterflies all year round, the Shell Museum, which exhibits shells and other rare deep-sea shells, and Manta Beach, where you can see the surrounding islands and the Yonara Channel, where manta rays migrate.
In the ox cart, sanshin (Okinawan traditional three-stringed instrument) is played, and you can cross the shallow sea slowly with a buffalo with a charming and gentle face. It takes about 15 minutes to Iriomote Island by ox cart.
9:30-16:00
Open all year round
Round-trip buffalo cart & park entrance fee
Adult (junior high school student and older) 2,000 yen
Child (elementary school student) 1,000 yen
Walking & Park Entrance Fee
Adult (junior high school student or older) 700 yen
Child (elementary school student) 350 yen
Free for children under elementary school age
Take a buffalo cart, which is a famous means of transportation from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island, or walk across the island.