Pinaisara Falls

Pinaisara Falls on Iriomote Island drops 54 meters into a jungle pool, making it the tallest waterfall in Okinawa. The standard approach involves kayaking up a mangrove-lined river, then trekking through dense subtropical forest, making the journey itself a memorable part of the day. A separate hiking trail reaches the top of the falls, where the view opens across jungle canopy to the turquoise reef waters below. Guided tours are strongly recommended as the trails through Iriomote's interior are difficult to navigate independently. The island's ecosystem includes the endangered Iriomote wildcat, Yaeyama palms, and tree ferns taller than a person.