663highland / CC BY 2.5

Yubu Island

由布島

Okinawa

A tiny botanical-garden islet off Iriomote's east coast, reached by riding a water-buffalo-drawn cart across the shallow lagoon at low tide — the crossing itself is the experience. Typhoon season runs roughly June to October, and a passing storm can cancel ferries, flights and all marine activity across the islands at a day's notice — check the forecast before you rely on this stop.