KIN AREA
01 KIN TOWN BIRD WATCHING
Bird-watching in Kin Town, one of the best bird-watching spots in and outside of the prefecture
Kin Town is a place of tranquil countryside with Okinawan Taro cultivation areas and rice paddies, and is a popular place for bird watching both in Japan and overseas, with many wild birds.
From autumn to winter, many traveling birds and winter birds can be seen. Also, vagrant may also visit. The spring migration period is also a good time to visit.
Among the resident birds, you can see Cinnamon Bittern, White-breasted Water Hen, Common Moorhen, and Common kingfisher.
A guide will be provided by an expert who has been studying wild birds in Okinawa for over 40 years.
- Tour Fee
-
per adult(18 years old and over) : 10,000JPY/person 13 years old and older : 4,500JPY/person Free for children under 6 years old
(including tax and insurance)
**Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. - Departure time
- 7:00a.m
- Meeting place
- Nature Mirai Kan parking lot
Map link - Duration
- 3 hours
(by foot/vehicle) - Remarks
- Tours are available for a minimum of two people.
02 OKUKUBI-RIVER MANGROVE TOUR
Okukubi River Mangrove Guide.
An expert will guide you through the mangrove plants and tidal flat creatures.
Four types of mangroves can be seen in the Okukubi River in Kin Town. One of them is the “Lumnitzera racemosa,” an endangered species (CR) that grows only in the northernmost part of Okinawa Island.
We will also watch Waterbirds in the mudflats, and observe the large schools of Mictyris brevidactylus that appear at low tide, as well as the Uca lactea. In the mudflats and mangrove forests, you can see “benthic organisms” that live in the mud or on the surface.
The best time to observe crabs is at low tide, when vast mudflats appear. The sight of crabs filling the mudflats is especially impressive during the hot summer months. These benthic organisms are also an important food source for wild birds.
- Tour Fee
-
per adult(18 years old or older) : 9,000JPY/person 13 years old and over : 6,000JPY/person 6 years old and over : 4,500JPY/person
**Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. - Departure time
- Depends on the season.
(To avoid heat stroke, the tour will be held in the early morning or evening in summer. Please contact us for details.)
Observation of the mudflats will be adjusted according to the tidal range of the day. - Meeting place
- Nature Miraikan parking lot.
- Duration
- 2 hours
(on foot) Tours are available for a minimum of 2 people. - Remarks
- Tours are available for a minimum of two people.
YAMBARU AREA
03 YAMBARU BIRD WATCHING
A bird tour focusing on the precious endemic species of the Yambaru
In the “Yambaru” area in the northern part of the main Island of Okinawa, experts will guide you on an observation and photography tour focusing on Okinawa’s bird species such as Okinawa Rail, Okinawa Woodpecker, Ryukyu Robin and other birds that are endemic to Okinawa Island and are also national natural treasures. In addition to endemic species such as the Okinawa Rail and Okinawa Woodpecker, you can also see Ryukyu Narcissus Flycatcher, Japanese Wood Pigeon, Whistling Green Pigeon, Aamami Varied Tit, etc. The tour will be guided by a bird researcher who has been observing wild birds in Okinawa for more than 40 years, so you will have a high chance of seeing them. Each tour is limited to one group, so you can use it as a private tour without worrying about anyone else. The number of people is also limited to one to six, so you can be guided carefully. We also offer custom-made original tours, so please feel free to contact us.
The most frequent season to encounter the three endemic species is from April through October is recommended.
Please note that resident forest birds, including endemic species, are less active during the winter months.
- Tour Fee
-
Adults (18 years and older) : 50,000JPY/person Adult (2 family members or friends) : 30,000JPY/person Adult (3 or more family members or friends) : 25,000JPY/person Child : 15,000JPY/person (Taxes,insurance,vehicle fuel,lunch and meals included)
*Please let us know if you need transportation to and from the hotel.
*Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
*The above is a private tour. - Departure time
- 30 minutes before sunrise
- Meeting place
- Depart from "Yui Yui Kunigami Roadside Station" in Kunigami Village
- Tour Hours
- 5 to 6 hours
04 YAMBARU FOREST BATHING THERAPY
Forest bathing in Yambaru
This is a tour to experience the forest with your whole body by walking slowly along the mountain path to the highest peak on Okinawa Island, Mt.Yonaha, listening to the calls of wild birds and going deep into the forest.
- Tour Fee
-
per adult(18 years old and up) : 13,000JPY/person Junior high and high school students (13 years old and up) : 7,500JPY/person
**Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. - Meeting time
- 8:00 a.m.
- Meeting place
- Depart from "Yui Yui Kunigami Roadside
- Tour Hours
- 2 to 3 hours (on foot)
- Things to bring
- Long sleeves, long pants, non-slip shoes or rubbers, rucksack, drink, towel, insect repellent, etc.
- Remarks
- Tours are available for a minimum of 2 people.
05 HIJI WATERFALLS TOUR
Hiji Great Waterfall Nature Observation and Walking Tour
This trekking tour along the boardwalk to Hiji Great Falls focuses on observing the flora and fauna found here, including birds endemic to Yambaru such as the Okinawa woodpecker and Ryukyu-Robin Of course, you can also enjoy the view and refreshing coolness of the largest and most majestic waterfall on Okinawa Island, which cascades down at a height of 26 meters.
- Tour Fee
-
Per Adult (18 years old and over) : 13,000JPY/person Adult (2 familiy members or friends) : 10,000JPY/person 13 years old and older : 7,500JPY/person Free for children under 5 years old
**The above prices are per person.
***Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. - Meeting time
- 8:00 a.m. (7:45 a.m.)
- Meeting place
- in front of the Hiji Great Waterfall Administration Office (3 km round trip)
- Duration
- 2.5~3 hours
- Things to bring
- long sleeves, long pants, non-slip shoes or boots, backpack, drink, towel, insect spray (especially in summer), etc.
- Remarks
- Tours are available for two people or more.