Iriomote Island Sagari-bana Canoe Tour

Iriomote Island is a place overflowing with untouched nature. While the island is famous for its endemic species, the Iriomote wildcat, have you heard of the Sagari-bana? Sagari-bana, also known as the "phantom flower," blooms as the sun sets and falls by dawn. These delicate flowers, resembling white or pale pink cotton balls, hang gracefully from branches. Their enchanting beauty combined with a sweet vanilla-like fragrance creates a magical atmosphere that captivates the heart. The blooming season typically lasts from June to September. However, since it is a natural phenomenon, factors such as annual rainfall, sunlight hours, temperature, and the phases of the moon can influence the timing and peak viewing period. As the sunset paints the sky, the buds begin to swell and open. By around 8 PM, after nightfall, the flowers are in full bloom. By 5 AM the next morning, as the sun begins to rise, the flowers start to fall, and by the time the sun is fully up, all the flowers that bloomed the previous night have dropped.