Yanbaru Into the Pristine Subtropical Forest.

Designated a Global Treasure in 2021. A Miraculous Evergreen Forest.

Yanbaru is a vast subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest area spanning the villages of Kunigami, Ogimi, and Higashi in northern Okinawa Main Island. In July 2021, it was registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site as part of "Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, Northern Part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island." The approximately 7,700-hectare untouched primeval forest is home to numerous endemic and rare species, making it a place of global value from a biodiversity perspective.

The iconic creature of Yanbaru is the Yanbaru Kuina (Okinawa Rail). This flightless bird, found only in northern Okinawa Main Island, was described as a new species in 1981. Currently designated as an endangered species, conservation efforts continue for its habitat. While it is rare for travelers to spot a Yanbaru Kuina in the wild, you can observe them up close at the "Kuina no Mori" (Yanbaru Kuina Ecology Exhibition and Learning Facility) in Kunigami Village.

Major spots in Yanbaru include "Daisekirinzan," a trekking spot with mystical giant rock formations and spectacular views; "Cape Hedo," the northernmost cliff of Okinawa Main Island; and "Hiji Waterfall," where waterfalls and streams are scattered throughout. Since it takes 2.5 to 3 hours from Naha to Cape Hedo even via expressway, this is a remote area nearly impossible to access by public transportation. With a private charter, you can spend a full day thoroughly enjoying Yanbaru.

Vibrant subtropical evergreen forest. The pristine landscape remains untouched by human hands.

Highlights of Yanbaru

Daisekirinzan is a trekking spot in Kunigami Village where strange rock formations and huge boulders rise from a limestone plateau. The "World Natural Heritage Forest Course" lets you walk through the old-growth forest inside the World Heritage area, with unusual plant life and glimpses of the sea visible between the rocks. Admission is ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,000 for children, and the walk takes around 60 to 90 minutes.

Cape Hedo is the cliff-edge cape at the northernmost tip of Okinawa Main Island. From the top of the cliffs you can look out over the open sea where the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, and on a clear day Yoron Island is visible in the distance. A monument commemorating Okinawa's reversion to Japan also stands here, making it a place that carries postwar history as well. Further inland, Hiji Waterfall is the largest waterfall on Okinawa Main Island, with a drop of around 26 metres, reached after a roughly one-hour walk along a jungle trail.

Cape Hedo. Where the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean meet at Okinawa's northernmost cliffs.

Daisekirinzan. A mystical World Heritage trekking course with towering limestone formations.

Getting to Yanbaru by Taxi

The "Yanbaru Full-Day Course (9-10 hours)" covering Naha to Yanbaru (Daisekirinzan, Cape Hedo, Hiji Waterfall) starts from approximately ¥55,800 (tax included, expressway tolls separate). The "Northern Deluxe Course (full day)" combined with Churaumi Aquarium is available from ¥62,000. Since Yanbaru is a mountainous and primeval forest area with extremely limited public transportation, a private taxi is the ideal way to visit.

With an early morning departure from Naha at 6:30-7:00 AM, you can arrive at Daisekirinzan by 9:30-10:00 AM. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Kunigami Village featuring Yanbaru pork or wild boar dishes, then visit Cape Hedo and Hiji Waterfall in the afternoon before returning to Naha by evening. Your driver accompanies you all day, so schedule changes can be flexibly accommodated.

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