Ferry from Hatoma to Iriomote Uehara

Hatoma Guide

Hatoma Ferry Port

Found in the farthest southern reaches of Japan, the tiny island of Hatoma is barely a speck in the East China Sea. Though the isle has been inhabited for centuries, the region is sparsely populated and much of its dense jungle wildlife remains undisturbed. The island’s main draw is its collection of broad, gold-sand beaches that hem the crystalline shallows of the baby-blue sea. From here, visitors can wallow in the sultry heat of the midday sun while taking in the sweeping views of Iriomote Island just a short distance off the south-facing coast. The port is found within the only village in Hatoma. It is shaped by two landing piers that jut into a calm pocket of the East China Sea sheltered by a triangle of breakwaters. The ferry terminal is found on the larger pier, at the foot of an undercover walkway. Aside from the small check-in building, there are no passenger facilities here, though a post office, vending machines and a few shops selling food and drink can be found in the nearby village. Due to the island’s small size, it’s entire diameter barely a kilometre in length, it is without any system of public transport and is covered by just a few small roads that trace the rocky shoreline. As such, the island is best traversed on foot with no point further than a 20-minute walk away from anywhere else. Two ferry routes currently leave from the port. A weekly service hosted by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry lines hops south to the town of Uehara on Iriomote Island, while another daily route sails the longer distance east to the island of Ishigaki.

Iriomote Uehara Guide

What is there to do in Uehara?

The landscape and infrastructure of Uehara of is a juxtaposition from the quintessential image of modern day Japan; the town centre is a quaint collection of shops, cafes and restaurants, bound together by a small, steady stream of tourism mixed with the locals maintaining their simplistic lifestyle. The day tripper and the short term visitor are both catered for by the few amenities in the town; supermarkets sell local produce at a fairly cheap price and there are some fine restaurants serving some traditional Japanese cuisine. The lack of entertainment and landmarks means that many only use Uehara as a layover point before moving on to more popular tourist destinations. However, for anyone longing for a few days amid peace and tranquillity, the relaxed environment is perfect for whiling away the hours.

How do you get around Uehara?

A couple of rental car companies are in operation around the town, though most choose to walk around the serene surroundings.