Sotobanari Island in Japanese — 外離島
Sotobanari Island is a island in Iriomote, Okinawa Prefecture. Written in Japanese it is 外離島, read そとばなりじま. Below is everything you need to get a taxi there: the characters to show, the reading, and a card you can print or keep on your phone.
Kanji
外離島
| Kana | そとばなりじま |
|---|---|
| Romaji | Sotobanarijima |
| English | Sotobanari Island |
| Category | Islands |
| Location | Iriomote, Okinawa Prefecture 西表 |
How to ask for it in a taxi
- Show the driver: 外離島
- Then point and say: ここまでお願いします (koko made onegai shimasu) — "please take me here".
- If asked which area: 西表, 沖縄県.
- On arrival: 領収書をください (ryōshūsho o kudasai) — "please give me a receipt".
Most islands are reached by ferry, so the destination you actually want is the ferry terminal on the mainland side. Show this card at the port, and use it again on the island for the return.
Nearby places of the same kind
- 由布島 — Yubu Island, Komi
- 小浜島 — Kohama Island, Taketomi
- 波照間島 — Hateruma Island, Taketomi
- 竹富島 — Taketomi Island, Taketomi
- 下地島 — Shimoji Island, Miyakojima
Frequently asked questions
How do you read 外離島?
外離島 is read そとばなりじま, romanised Sotobanarijima. English-language sources usually write it Sotobanari Island. The kanji is what a taxi driver reads; the reading is only there so you know what you are handing over.
How do I show Sotobanari Island to a taxi driver in Japan?
Do not try to pronounce it. Show the driver the Japanese characters 外離島 together with the sentence ここまでお願いします ("please take me here"). Use the button on this page to build a card with both, then save it to your phone or print it — it works with no mobile signal.
Do I also need the address for Sotobanari Island?
For a well-known island the name is usually enough, but adding 住所 (the address) removes all doubt, especially where several places share a name. This island is in Iriomote, Okinawa Prefecture; open the map link on this page to copy the exact address before you travel.