Yambaru National Park

PARKHighlights

At the north of Okinawa’s main island, Yambaru National Park is a true treasure trove of nature. Here a diversity of life thrives amid mangroves, subtropical forests, and limestone cliffs. Yambaru’s villages of Kunigami, Ogimi, and Higashi cover just 0.1% of Japan’s land — but you’ll find around half of the country’s bird species here, and much more besides. Hiking trails through the pristine woodlands show off countless unique plants, and the striking karst topography of limestone rocks jutting up through the forest. Meanwhile, a hike to Hiji Waterfall or a canoe tour through Gesashi Bay’s mangroves rewards explorers with gorgeous, secluded nature spots to bask in. The park’s coastline offers its own amazing sights. From the trails of Cape Hedo to the observatory of Kayauchi Banta, you can take in views of dramatic cliffs, distant islands, and the rugged coastal terrain.

Getting There

From Haneda, Fukuoka, or Kansai International Airport, fly to Naha (110–175 min). Take a bus to Nago Bus Terminal (105 min), then to Hentona Bus Terminal (55 min), then walk to Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center (10 min).

RecommendedSpots in this Park

Unparalleled Subtropical Bounty

Sites of Scenic Beauty Created by Nature

Much of Yambaru is subtropical forest, and it's also blessed with beautiful limestone cliffs and wonderful coastline. Daisekirinzan, located at the northern tip of Okinawa Island, is known for the abundance of striking limestone outcrops that jut from ground, easily accessed by a network of trails. Several coastal spots here offer commanding views of Okinawa’s seas. The observatory at Kayauchi Banta overlooks magnificent ocean views and limestone cliffs. From Cape Hedo, you can catch sight of Kagoshima Prefecture to the north. Shioya Bay is rated one of the eight most scenic spots in Okinawa. Each August here the local people hold the Ungami harvest festival — designated an Intangible Folk Culture Asset. Wading into the ocean, revelers bang their drums and cheer on their competing villages, in a boat race that’s part spectacle, part sacred tradition.

Forge into the Heart of Yambaru

Nature Activities

The best way to discover Yambaru is to get active. Guided hikes are popular, as they introduce the best routes and the deeper secrets of the forest — and you can sometimes meet the rare creatures of the island on your walk. Gesashi Bay’s mangrove forests are the most extensive in Okinawa, and both red and black mangroves thrive there. With all the water though, it’s hardly a hiking spot — canoe tours are the way to go here. Inland, the stunning Hiji Waterfall is very accessible, just 1.2 kilometers from the Hiji Waterfall Campground. Outdoorsy types can enjoy the beautiful assortment of plants unique to the subtropical region, and may even spot an Okinawan woodpecker or Ryukyu robin.

Activitiesaround the Park

Okinawa Ziplining at Yambaru Adventure Higashi Village

From3,150 JPY

Onna, Nago, Motonobe, Nakijin 1h30m

Forest Therapy Experience in Kunigami Village, Okinawa

From3,750 JPY

Onna, Nago, Motonobe, Nakijin 4h

RECOMMENDEDItineraries

2 DAY TRIP / 1st day

7:25From Tokyo, head for Nago CityFly to Okinawa's Naha Airport from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. From there, take a bus to Nago Bus Terminal, and have lunch in the area.

13:50Take a bus to Okuma BeachAt Nago Bus Terminal, take a bus, getting off at the Okuma Beach-iriguchi bus stop.

15:00Visit Yambaru Wildlife Conservation CenterSee taxidermic models of Yambaru's endemic species, and watch a film about Yambaru's natural beauty.

16:00Shop at Michi-no-eki (Roadside Station) Yuiyui KunigamiThis is the largest Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station — a rest stop with souvenirs, food, and more for those taking road trips) in the Yanbaru region. Here, you can buy Yanbaru specialties and souvenirs, including some items that you can only get here. There are also exhibits here: see stuffed models of animals that have been designated as cultural assets, as well as artifacts of items that locals used in their daily lives.

Stay at a beach resort Have dinner, relax, and maybe even go for a nighttime beachside stroll. Take it easy as you think of the next day's itinerary!

2 DAY TRIP / 2nd day

9:00Try forest therapy in Kunigami VillageLet nature heal you as you try forest therapy — mindfully strolling through a forest trail — with a certified guide in the woods of Kunigami!

13:30Return to your accommodation, have lunch, and relax at a private beachOkuma is Yanbaru's only private beach, so relax in comfort here! If you don't want to go swimming, how about taking a guided private tour? The hotel's friendly staff can show you around the area and introduce you to its natural wonders.

Spend the night at Okuma for more adventures the next dayThe next morning, take a canoeing tour of the mangrove forests of Keisaji Bay — a designated national natural monument. Called 'hirugi' in Japanese, mangroves only grow in tropical and subtropical zones. In Japan, you can only see these trees in southern Japan, including Okinawa's Yanbaru National Park.