*This article confirmed the information in June 2025.
On Iriomote Island, the ferry company offers free shuttle buses for ferry passengers. There are two types of shuttles available.
As of June 2025, this service is operated exclusively by Anei Kanko Ferry.
2. Another shuttle bus operates between Ohara Port and Uehara Port only when ferry services to or from Uehara Port are canceled.
Separate buses are provided by Anei Kanko Ferry and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry for their own passengers.
The Iriomote Island route bus runs only four times a day. However, this shuttle bus is scheduled to match the ferry arrival and departure times, making it a crucial means of transportation when the route bus is not operating.
This page explains how to use the shuttle service.
Free Shuttle Bus Schedule
Anei Kanko Ferry
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
Contents
♦ Western District Shuttle Bus Usage Conditions
♦ How to Use the Western District Shuttle Bus
♦ The Western District Shuttle Bus Route
♦ Western District Shuttle Stops
♦ What to Do When the Uehara Port Ferry Is Canceled
♦ Best Shuttle Bus Itinerary
Western District Shuttle Bus Usage Conditions
1. The shuttle bus is available only to passengers whose ferry is scheduled to arrive at or depart from Uehara Port on the same day.
This service is provided exclusively for the ferry company’s own customers. Please note that passengers using ferries to or from Ohara Port are not eligible to use this bus.
2. You may only use the shuttle bus operated by the ferry company you are traveling with.
Two ferry companies operate services to and from Uehara Port. Passengers must use the shuttle operated by the same company they are sailing with.
Please note that the shuttle bus may be used only once per ferry ride.
As of June 2025, Anei Kanko Ferry is the only company operating shuttle buses in the western district.
3. If you’re staying on Iriomote Island, please note that shuttle bus availability differs depending on your travel direction.
You can take the shuttle bus to Shirahama Port only once—on the day you arrive at Uehara Port.
Similarly, you can take the shuttle bus to Uehara Port only once—on the day you depart from the island.
For this reason, the dates you can use the shuttle bus to Shirahama and to Uehara will be different during your stay.
4. Passengers can only get on or off the shuttle bus at Uehara Port.
When traveling from Uehara Port to Shirahama, you may get off at stops along the way, but boarding is only allowed at Uehara Port.
Conversely, when traveling to Uehara Port, you may board at stops along the route, but you can only get off at Uehara Port.
Shuttle Bus Usage Example
How to Use the Western District Shuttle Bus
From Uehara Port to Shirahama Port
To take the shuttle bus from Uehara Port, you’ll need a shuttle bus ticket issued by the ferry company.
You can get this ticket when you purchase your ferry ticket to Uehara at the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal.
Just let the staff know you’d like to take the shuttle bus from Uehara, and they’ll give it to you.
Even if you purchase your ferry ticket online in advance, you’ll still need to pick up your shuttle bus ticket at the ferry terminal ticket office.
Anei Kanko Ferry ticket office
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry ticket office
The photo below shows a shuttle bus ticket for Anei Kanko Ferry.
The ticket has a specific date printed on it and can only be used on that day.
You’ll need to present this ticket when boarding the shuttle bus at Uehara Port—please hand it to the driver as you get on.
When you board the bus, the driver will ask where you’d like to get off.
Let the driver know your destination, and they’ll stop at the nearest bus stop.
Please note that there are no stop buttons on the shuttle bus—the driver will let you know when you’ve reached your stop.
From Shirahama Port to Uehara Port
To take the shuttle bus to Uehara Port, you’ll need a ferry ticket for a departure from Uehara Port on the same day.
If you haven’t purchased a round-trip ticket, please make sure to buy a one-way ticket departing from Uehara before boarding the shuttle bus.
Simply show your ferry ticket to the driver when getting on the bus.
We recommend purchasing round-trip ferry tickets, as they are more affordable and convenient.
Anei Kanko Ferry Round-Trip Ticket
In most areas, the shuttle bus departs from the same stops as the local route buses.
While the shuttle follows a timetable, we recommend arriving at the bus stop early and waiting with plenty of time.
When you see the bus approaching, raise your hand to signal the driver.
From the front, it may be difficult to tell if it’s the ferry company’s shuttle bus. Don’t worry—if you’re unsure, it’s okay to raise your hand anyway.
The Western District Shuttle Bus Route
The Western District Shuttle Bus operates between Uehara Port and Shirahama Port. It follows the same route as the regular route bus in this area, and most of the bus stops are in the same locations. However, please note that some shuttle bus stops may differ slightly from those of the regular route bus.
Western District Shuttle Stops
Where to Catch the Shuttle Bus at Uehara Port
There is no bus stop sign, so please refer to the map below to locate the bus.
When you arrive at Uehara Port, the shuttle bus may already be waiting, so be sure to check and confirm your bus as soon as possible.
The shuttle bus runs on a fixed timetable, but ferry arrival times may vary due to sea conditions and other factors. After arriving at Uehara Port, please proceed directly to the shuttle bus stop first. Once you’ve confirmed your bus, you can use the restroom or take care of other needs.
Where to Board the Shuttle Bus to Uehara Port
The shuttle bus usually stops at the same locations as the regular route bus, except in a few areas.
For the Anei Kanko Ferry shuttle bus, the stop may either be at the same place as the regular route bus or in front of a nearby building.
If you’re taking the shuttle bus to Uehara Port, we recommend asking the staff in advance where to board.
Shuttle Bus Stops
What to Do When the Uehara Port Ferry Is Canceled
・If the ferry to Uehara Port is canceled, a shuttle bus will take you there instead.
Ferries to and from Uehara Port are frequently canceled, especially during the winter months. In fact, it’s estimated that over 50% of ferries are canceled in winter. However, ferries to and from Ohara Port, located in the southern part of Iriomote Island, often continue to operate even when Uehara ferries are canceled.
In such cases, the ferry company provides a free shuttle bus between Ohara Port and Uehara Port.
Please note that this shuttle service only operates when ferries at Uehara Port are canceled.
The shuttle bus goes directly to Uehara Port without any stops along the way, so you cannot get off until you arrive.
Free Shuttle Bus Schedule (When Ferries to Uehara Port Are Canceled)
Anei Kanko Ferry
Yaeyama Kanko Ferry
Taking the Bus: What You Need to Know
The boarding process is the same as for the shuttle bus to and from Uehara Port, as explained above.
If you are taking a shuttle bus departing from Ohara Port, you will need a bus ticket issued by the ferry company.
If you are taking a shuttle bus bound for Ohara Port, you must have a ferry ticket departing from Uehara Port.
To use this shuttle service, even passengers traveling with Yaeyama Kanko Ferry must obtain a bus ticket at the ferry ticket office in Ishigaki Port.
・Only the shuttle bus of the ferry company you are using can be used.
If you’re traveling by bus on Iriomote Island, the ferry company’s shuttle bus offers a convenient way to get between Uehara Port and the island’s western area. However, if ferries to Uehara Port are canceled and you purchase a ticket to Ohara Port instead, you won’t be able to use these shuttle buses.
To be eligible to ride the shuttle buses—even if the ferry to or from Uehara Port is canceled—you must still purchase a ferry ticket to or from Uehara Port.
Where to Catch the Shuttle Bus at Ohara Port
Here’s where to catch the free shuttle bus to Uehara Port from Ohara Port.
Just like at Uehara Port, there is no official bus stop sign, so please check the boarding location as soon as you arrive by ferry.
However, during certain times, the shuttle bus may not be operated by the ferry company. In those cases, a local route bus may be used instead, and you can ride it for free. If so, please board at the regular route bus stop.
You can find out which buses are route buses in the shuttle bus timetable provided by the ferry company.
Best Shuttle Bus Itinerary
This is a suggested day trip plan for Iriomote Island using both the route bus and the shuttle bus.
By making good use of these buses, you can enjoy a full and satisfying day on the island.
Best Plan
*The following schedule was accurate as of May 2021.
1. Depart Ishigaki Port at 6:50 AM
Arrive at Uehara Port, Iriomote Island around 7:35 AM
2. Take the Anei Kanko ferry shuttle from Uehara Port at 7:50 AM
Arrive at Shirahama Port around 8:25 AM
3. Depart Shirahama Port at 8:45 AM
Arrive at Funauki Port around 8:55 AM
4. Stroll through the peaceful Funauki area
5. Relax and enjoy the beautiful Ida Beach
6. Depart Funauki Port at 10:25 AM
Return to Shirahama Port around 10:35 AM
7. Take the route bus from Shirahama Port at 10:40 AM
Get off at Urauchi River at 10:51 AM
8. Board the Urauchi River sightseeing boat at 11:00 AM
Arrive upstream around 11:30 AM
9. Hike to Maryudo Falls and Kanbiree Falls and enjoy the natural beauty
10. Depart upstream by boat at 2:30 PM
Return downstream by around 3:00 PM
11. Take the Anei Kanko shuttle from Urauchi River at 3:43 PM
Arrive at Uehara Port at 3:57 PM
12. Depart Uehara Port at 4:30 PM
Arrive at Ishigaki Port
