ITINERARY
Tour the amazing forest of Yambaru with an electric vehicle and encounter creatures found nowhere else.
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Yambaru means “a land of mountains and forests.” A diversity of organisms live here, all interconnected with each other. As you explore the subtropical laurel forests, you may encounter unique endemic species such as the Okinawa rail and learn how the region's ancient landforms, once connected to the continent, shaped the evolution of these species. Getting to know Yambaru’s lush forests, rivers, seas, and the lives of the people who depend on them, you experience what makes this place one-of-a-kind. This tour provides an electric vehicle for travel and minimal impact on the precious natural environment.
Itinerary Highlights
- Learn about the highlights and importance of Yambaru's forest introduced by an experienced guide.
- Observe the little-known nighttime behavior of the forest's wildlife.
- Marvel at the unusual rock formations and subtropical plants, and discover the mountains' blessings and how people live by tracing their past.
Enjoy a guided nature tour, Okinawan cooking, and sanshin music
After arriving at Naha Airport in the morning, drive to Kunigami Forest Park by rental car (try to rent an electric car for sustainability). The journey takes about three hours, including a stop for lunch. Upon arrival, join the Forest of Wonders Nature Guide Tour. Led by a veteran guide, this tour reveals the wonders and highlights of the Yambaru forest you can't discover by just looking around.
For dinner, enjoy Okinawan cuisine with local farmers as you listen to the music of a sanshin, a Ryukyuan instrument. The experience provides a taste of both nature and the deeply rooted culture of Yambaru.
Afterward, check in to your accommodation in either Higashi Village or Kunigami Village.
Join a mangrove canoe tour and night hike
From your accommodation, drive by rental car to Higashi Village Fureai Hirugi Park and join a mangrove canoe tour. Paddle through one of the largest mangrove forests on Okinawa's main island, designated as a National Natural Monument, and observe the rich variety of life it supports.
Afterward, enjoy lunch followed by an adventurous trek along a river to the secluded Taa Falls.
*Please check the official website for information on hiking gear needed for your safety. (Rental gear is available.)
After checking into your accommodation in either Higashi Village or Kunigami Village and having dinner, join the AKISAMIYO night tour for a unique forest experience. You can choose between 2 options: a hiking tour in Higashi Village or a driving tour in Kunigami Village. While viewing the starry night sky, you can take part in a wildlife monitoring survey, offering a deeper understanding of the rare creatures that live in the forest.
Explore tropical karst landscapes and experience local ways of life
After checking out, you take an electric rental car and then join an ASMUI Spiritual Hike at Daisekirinzan. The world’s northernmost tropical karst formation, Daisekirinzan was formed by the erosion of limestone about 250 million years ago. Walking through that spectacular scenery, you’ll learn about the landform’s origins and delve into the mysteries of why so many endemic creatures inhabit Yambaru. Since ancient times, the area has been used for making charcoal and Ryukyu indigo, and charcoal kilns and indigo vats can still be seen today. These provide a glimpse of how people have lived here since long ago. After a lunch of local cuisine in Ogimi Village, you get back in the rental electric car for the return trip. The next day, you might want to take a boat from Naha to visit Keramashoto National Park.