We took a water buffalo-drawn cart (below/previous picture) from Iriomote to Yufu Island, which has a botanical garden. This was the man who serenaded us during the trip. There is a shallow straight that separates the two islands, and the only way to get there is by one of these carts.

I found this video on YouTube which shows one of these singers, playing a sanshin, and also shows the water buffalo carts crossing the straight. It does give a real sense of what the whole experience is like so I recommend watching it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Xlt4BJ9Ns

On the ride to Yufu Island, posted earlier: