Tourism Entry To Some Areas Of Iriomotejima Will Be Restricted - WanderingWorlds

Tourists are limited to a few scenic spots on Iriomotejima Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to better protect the natural environment.

The environment ministry announced on Dec. 6 that it had approved a proposal by the government of Taketomi city in Okinawa prefecture on tourism restrictions. Iriomotejima Island is part of Taketomi City.

An official from the ministry's department responsible for promoting the use of the national park said the plan is not only to 'preserve the pristine nature of the island, but also to reduce crowding so that tourists can experience a' better experience".

When the island was inscribed on the World Heritage List in July last year, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee called for measures to better protect the island's nature.

Four ministries, including the environment ministry, have approved a comprehensive plan to promote ecotourism on the island of Iriomotejima.

The plan divides the island into three regions.

Under the plan, most of the areas designated as World Heritage Sites on the island will be designated as a protected area.

Tourists are generally not allowed in the area.

A wildlife viewing area includes a river or trail within a World Heritage area and an ocean outside the area.

Tourists are allowed to enter the area, but must abide by certain rules.

The five attractions of the Nature Experience Area are natural tourist resources and are therefore subject to daily tourist entry restrictions.

Other areas of the island with places such as pineapple plantations or restaurants will be designated as public use areas as there will be no special access rules.

One of the wild reserves dedicated to wildlife is the Henegawa River, which attracts up to 200 tourists a day.

Benissara Falls, which has become popular with tourists in recent years, is part of the Henegawa River.

The river's daily visitor numbers reached 200 on some days and sometimes exceeded 300 on peak days during the Golden Week holiday season and the summer of fiscal year 2019.

Other designated natural tourist resources such as Nishidagawa River 100, Mt. Komidake 30, Upper Uraushigawa River 50, and Mt. Teido 30 are subject to daily access restrictions.

Tourists who wish to visit nature tourist reserves must also obtain permission from the mayor of Taketomi.

They must also be accompanied by someone who meets certain requirements, such as: b. Guide during the journey.

Another example of a World Heritage Site with daily access restrictions is the Ogasawara island chain south of Tokyo.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other authorities have limited the number of daily visitors to Minamijima, the archipelago, to 100 people.