Only 20 km wide and 15 km long, Iriomote’s infrastructure is limited to a single coastal road between its northern and eastern hamlets. 80 per cent of the island is protected by the state, and a third of it forms part of the Iriomote National Park, which includes Japan’s biggest coral reef – the lagoon between Iriomote and its near neighbour, Ishigaki. Iriomote is covered by dense subtropical jungle and mangrove swamps, threaded through and around a dozen peaks over 420 m. Photo by: kaori

The island has seven kinds of mangrove, including what is said to be Japan’s biggest and oldest, the Sakishimasuou tree. A short walk from the Urauchi brings you first to the exquisite Mariyudo waterfall and then to the Kampire, descending rapids so fast and turbulent they can create a spectacular veil of mist. Part of the thrill is that you are walking in the buffer zone of virgin territory: 30 sq km of Iriomote is closed to all forms of human intervention. Photo by: Internet-Okinawa.com

This is the only home of the Iriomote wildcat, one of the world’s most endangered species. It looks deceptively cuddly, like a large house cat, but has the attitudes of leopard, its nearest relative. It is the highlight of Iriomote’s extraordinary ecology: tourists willing to reach such an isolated outpost find rare and pristine terrestrial and marine environments. Photo by: jsleeuw

When to go: Year-round. Come for the Yamaneko Marathon in February, or the Festival of Shitsumatsuri in November. Population: 2, 251. How to get there: By air, from Japan’s main islands or Taiwan via Okinawa, to Ishigaki Port to Funaura and Uehara. You should know: The after-party of the Yamaneko Marathon starts with a free-for-all grab for two boatloads of sashimi, ans ends in compulsory group dancing. Photo by: ajari

Photo by: twiga_swala