Yubu Island

Yubu Island (由布島, Yubu-jima) is an island of the Yaeyama Islands of Japan, it is located about 0.5 km east of Iriomote Island. The "Subtropical Botanical Garden" encompasses most of the island.

Yubu Island
Native name:
Yubu-jima (由布島)
Yubu Island (right) next to Iriomote Island (left), 2012
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates24°20′42″N 123°56′06″E
ArchipelagoYaeyama Islands
Area0.15 km2 (0.058 sq mi)
Highest elevation1.9 m (6.2 ft)
Administration
Japan
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
TownTaketomi, Okinawa

Geography and transport
Street view of Yubu Island
Water buffalo carts carrying people between Iriomote Island and Yubu Island

Yubu Island is a small island with a total area of 0.15 km2 and a circumference of 2.0 km. It is located 0.5 km east of Iriomote Island. The water level between Yubu Island and Iriomote Island is usually no more than around knee deep, even during high tide the maximum depth is around 1 meter. Water buffalo carts are used as a means of transportation between Yubu Island and Iriomote Island, and have become an important tourist attraction for the island. When it is low tide and the waves are calm, it is possible to cross between islands on foot. Utility poles are built in the sea from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island in order to guide foot traffic. A botanical garden encompasses most of the island.[1]

History

After the Pacific War, in 1947, people who migrated from Taketomi Island and Kuroshima Island to Iriomote Island, established a settlement on Yubu Island. Fruit trees and sugar canes were cultivated, and water buffaloes were raised.[1]

On September 26, 1969, Typhoon Elsie struck Yubu Island and most of the island's inhabitants moved to Iriomote soon after.[1]

On April 1, 1981, the "Subtropical Botanical Garden" was opened on the island. The garden has gradually expanded over time to encompass most of the island. The island is a popular tourist attraction to visitors of Iriomote because of its botanical garden and water buffalo cart rides.[1] In 2017, approximately 201,600 tourist visited Yubu, with a peak day of 1,117.[2]

References
  1. The Yubu Island Subtropical Botanical Garden (2021-09-28). "由布島の歴史" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-08-08.
  2. Taketomi Town (May 4, 2020). "竹富町地区別人口動態票（令和2年3月末）" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-05-04.
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