KIN AREA
01 OKUKUBI-RIVER SUNRISE CANOE TOUR
億首川サンライズカヌーツアー
Why don’t you enjoy wild birds and other natural creatures while soaking up the morning sun on the Okukubi River?
We will guide you through the mangrove forests of the Okukubi River as the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean.
We will leave before sunrise and paddle our canoe slowly upstream to the Okukubi River.
As it gradually gets brighter, the area turns golden and you can enjoy the morning sun rising over the horizon. The nature expert accompanying you will carefully explain about mangrove plants, sea creatures, wild birds, and geology.
After canoeing and taking a break, you will be guided around the Okukubi River for about an hour on foot.
- A bird guide leaflet and postcard will be provided.
- This is a private tour for one group per day.
- This is a private tour for one group per day, and is recommended for children’s free research.
- Tour Fee
-
per adult(18 years old and over) : ¥15,000 13 years old and older : ¥10,000円 6 years old or older : ¥8,000円
**Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. - Departure time
- 30 minutes before the sunrise time of the day
(excluding low tide time) - Meeting place
- Nature Mirai Kan parking lot
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Remarks
- Tours are available for a minimum of two people.
02 KIN TOWN BIRD WATCHING
探鳥地・金武町でバードウオッチング
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) : ¥6,000 13 years old and older : ¥4,000 6 years old or older : ¥3,000
**Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. - Departure time
- 7:00 a.m~8:00am.
(summer: approximately March to October)
8:00 a.m.
(Winter: November to February) - Meeting place
- Nature Mirai Kan parking lot
- Meeting point
- Nature Mirai Kan parking lot
- Duration
- 2 hours
(by foot/vehicle) - Remarks
- Tours are available for a minimum of two people.
03 OKUKUBI-RIVER MANGROVE TOUR
億首川のマングローブツアー
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) : ¥6,000 13 years old and over : ¥4,000 6 years old and over : ¥3,000
**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
04 YAMBARU BIRD WATCHING
亜熱帯の森林、沖縄本島北部「やんばる」で三大固有種ツアー
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
-
per adult(18 years old or older) : ¥17,000 Two adults(18 years old or older) : ¥13,000 3 or more adults(18 years old or older) : ¥11,000 13 years old and older : ¥7,000 6-12 years old : ¥5,000 - Departure time
- 30 minutes before sunrise
- Meeting place
- Depart from "Yui Yui Kunigami Roadside Station" in Kunigami Village
- Tour Hours
- 5 to 6 hours
05 YAMBARU FOREST BATHING THERAPY
やんばるで森林浴セラピー
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) : ¥6,500 Junior high and high school students (13 years old and up) : ¥5,000
**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.
06 HIJI WATERFALLS TOUR
比地大滝自然観察・散策ツアー
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
-
Adults (18 years old and up) : ¥6,500 Junior high and high school students (13 years old and up) : ¥5,000 Elementary school students (6 years old and up) : ¥3,000
**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.