Snorkelers Paradise: Yaeyama Islands 八重山諸島 in Okinawan

The Yaeyama Islands 八重山諸島 known in Okinawan dialect as Eema are a group of islands in the southwest of Okinawa Prefecture. The Yaeyama Islands are the remotest part of Japan from the main islands and contains Japan’s most southern inhabited island, Hateruma Island, and most western inhabited island, Yonaguni, islands.

The city of Ishigaki serves as the political, cultural, and economic head of the Yaeyama Islands.

The Yaeyama Islands are home to numerous species of subtropical plants and mangrove forests. The islands produce sugarcane and pineapples.

Coral reefs around the islands are ideal habitats for dolphins, sea turtles, and larger fish such as Manta rays and Whale sharks if you are lucky enough to see them.

The Yaeyama Islands consist of:

• Aragusuku – two small, flat islets with only a handful of people living on one of them
• Hateruma – southernmost inhabited point of Japan
• Hatoma – small island north of Iriomote; beautiful and not much to do
• Iriomote – largest of the islands, with mangrove swamps, mountains, and extensive forest cover; the Iriomote wild cat can be found here if you are lucky
• Ishigaki – second-largest island with Okinawa’s highest mountain and famous Kabira Bay; largest town and central hub for access to the islands. Lots of hotels – Read the reviews.
• Kohama – small island that houses one very deluxe resort Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohamajima review on TripAdvisor
• Kuro – small, flat island with lots of cows, not many people
• Taketomi – small, flat island next to Ishigaki with a preserved Ryukyu village
• Yonaguni – westernmost point of Japan, famous for its mysterious underwater stone structures

Yaeyama’s best-known food is the Yaeyama soba 八重山そば, which is very different from the mainland Japanese one: the Yaeyaman version consists of white wheat noodles in a mildly flavoured pork-based stock, with pieces of pork called sōki, some slices of fish cake and red ginger.

The local beef is also renowned, expensive and much like Kobe beef but with a slightly different buttery flavour. Some of the more exotic local fare on offer includes snake soup and mimigā, a salad of pork ear, cucumber and vinegar.

Most of the Okinawan islands are subtropical but the Yaeyama Islands are a tropical rainforest which results in the winter temperature being 2-4 Celsius degrees higher than on the main Okinawa Island. Coldest months are January and February with the average high temperature is 21°C (70°F), making the area a popular winter getaway.  Spring, around March and April, is an perfect time to visit.

The rainy season starts in May, continuing until June though the rain usually comes in spurts so it is not a continuous drizzle all day. Summer in Yaeyama Islands is hot and humid but very busy with tourists, international and domestic, with hotel fares peaking at this time. October and November are great times to visit with a nice blend of good weather and not as busy as the summer so hotel rates are more reasonable like at the fabulous ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki resort (read more on Tripadvisor).

No matter if you are into diving, snorkeling or just laying around the beach, the Yaeyama Islands have something for everyone!