Introducing the staff of Iriomote Island Jungle Book.

Yuji Nakano

From first-timers visiting Iriomote Island to repeaters looking to revisit, I can propose tours that meet your every need. It is of utmost importance that everyone gets to fully enjoy all that Iriomote Island has to offer, and to guide you safely around, leaving you with wonderful memories of your trip. Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions about your trip to Iriomote Island!!

☆ Qualifications

First-Class Boat’s Operator License

PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor (NT)

Nationally Licensed Diver

License for Emergency Recompression

OMSB Snorkeling Instructor

OMSB Lifeguard

OKGA Sit-On Certification Guide

OKGA Rigid Certification Guide

Wilderness Emergency Aid (Outdoor Lifesaving)

Wilderness BLS (Ourdoor Basic Life Support)

NACS-J Nature Observation Instructor

Iriomote Ishigaki National Park Volunteer

Granted Permission to Use National Forest Facilities (Mangrove Forest Walkway)

Pest Control Worker (e.g. Mikania micrant)

◯ Okinawa Kayak and Canoe Association

◯ Approved Business Registration for Recreational Marine Activities

◯ Member of Taketomi Chamber of Commerce and Industry

◯ Member of Taketomi Town Tourism Association

◯ Taketomi Town Official Tourism Business・Tourist Guide No. 028-001

Okinawa Forest Management Office: Forest Entry Permit No. 1343

Donation Activity:

Individual Member of Nature Conservation Society of Japan

Sustaining Member of Peshawar Association

☆ Main Experiences

〇 Engaged as a scuba diving guide in Phuket, Thailand.

〇 Backpacked all across Japan and in 14 Asian countries.

〇 Traveled from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal (via Mount. Everest) mainly by bicycle.

〇 Crossed India from northern India down to the southernmost tip of India by bicycle.

〇 Backpacked across East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia)

〇 Others (experienced many kayaking tours, camping tours, motercycle touring, bicycle touring, trekking both domestically and overseas, and mountain climbing)

☆ Favorite animal: cats

☆ Birthplace: Kagoshima

Maiko Nakano

Bord and raised in Iriomote Island.

I absolutely love animals!

I look forward to seeing everyone!

☆ Qualifications

Certified Veterinary Nurse

Member of the Japan Veterinary Nursing Association (JVNA)

Japanese Companion Animal Association: Pet Care Adviser

Okinawa Prefecture Wildlife Refuge Volunteer

Iriomote Ishigaki National Park Volunteer

NAUI Diving License

Taketomi Town Official Tourist Guide No. 028-002

☆ Main Experiences

Engaged as an animal nurse at an a verterinary hospital

Lecturer at Veterinary Nurse Technical College

☆ Favorite animals: all

☆ Birthplace: Iriomote Island

Grandma Sumiko

My wife, Maiko’s mother. A grandma who usually sells deli food in Iriomote Island.

I am in charge of making “”bento boxes for tours”” and “”An Islander Grandma’s Walking Tour “”.

I try to incorporate ingredients special to Iriomote Island in the lunches whenever I can.

☆☆ There are very few shops offering bento boxes in Iriomote Island. I make the lunch boxes at a licensed facility, so you can rest assured about the quality ☆☆

☆ Birthplace: Iriomote Island

Staff Dog: Tida

Tida (Border Collie)
Female
Birthday: October 31, 2007 (Halloween)

Iriomote Island Jungle Book’s mascot dog.

Nice to meet everyone.

I came to Iriomote Island after being adopted by my foster parents.
I love running on the beach and in grasslands.

\I’m 14 years old this year!/

^▼^

★ For those who want to canoe with their beloved pet dog
Iriomote Island Jungle Book also rents out life jackets for dogs, so that your pet dog can safely accompany you on the canoe ride. Please let us know if you are interested at the time of booking.

☆ Birthplace: Okinawa