The Yanbaru region (山原) makes up the northern part of the Okinawa Main Island. Compared to the urbanized, southern part of the island, Yanbaru is significantly less developed and more rural. The region contains an abundance of subtropical forested hills and endemic wildlife. In 2016, the Yanbaru National Park was established here as the 33rd national park in Japan.

Several endangered species of wildlife exist in the region. Among them is the Yanbaru Kuina (also known as the "Okinawa Rail"), which is a small, nearly-flightless bird only found in the Yanbaru region. Efforts are being made to preserve the species, and several kuina-related attractions have been established in the area.

Most tourist attractions in the Yanbaru region are nature-related and include walking trails through the forest, observation points and small museums devoted to the local fauna and flora. Below is a list of some of the places of interest:

  • Hedo Misaki (Cape Hedo)
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: free
    Closed: No closing days
  • Hiji Waterfall
    Hours: Entry from 9:00 to 16:00 (until 15:00 from Nov to Mar)
    Admission: 500 yen
    Closed: during extreme weather
  • Daisekirinzan Park
    Hours: 9:30 to 17:30 (entry until 16:30)
    Admission: 1200 yen
    Closed: No closing days
  • Gesashi Bay Mangrove Forest
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: free
    Closed: No closing days
  • Yanbaru Wildlife Conservation Center
    Temporarily closed for renovations until at least July 2025
  • Okinawa Rail Ecology Center
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
    Admission: 700 yen
    Closed: Wednesdays
  • Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 November to February)
    Admission for daytime visitors: 1500 yen

Getting there and around

Public transportation in the Yanbaru Region is limited to infrequent local buses along the western coast that do not serve all destinations, while buses along the more remote eastern coast are even more elusive. For this reason traveling by rental car is recommended.

How to get to and around Okinawa Honto

Hotels around Okinawa Island

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Budget:
    • La Passione Boutique B&B
      Budget-friendly
      Boasting city views, La Passione Boutique B&B features accommodation with terrace, around 2.2 km from Naminoue Beach. This 1-star bed and breakfast offers a shared kitchen, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The rooms are fitted with a balcony. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a private bathroom and a well-fitted kitchen including a dishwasher, oven, microwave and a toaster. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also offered, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. At the bed and breakfast, units have bed linen and towels. Continental and Asian breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities and pancakes are available. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.1 km from the bed and breakfast, while Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.
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    • Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-
      Mid-range
      Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts- features accommodation within 700 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.4 km from Naminoue Beach. The accommodation offers a lift and full-day security for guests. At the aparthotel, every unit comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the aparthotel, while Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.
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    • Hotel Collective
      Luxury
      Set in Naha, 1.8 km from Naminoue Beach, Hotel Collective offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation provides a kids' club, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. Guests at Hotel Collective can enjoy an American breakfast. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.
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    • JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha
      Luxury
      JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha offers accommodation in Naha. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant during their stay. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and private parking is available on site for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is completely non-smoking and fully equipped with barrier-free facilities. Each of the hotel's carpeted rooms is air-conditioned and soundproofed. The rooms have a flat-screen satellite TV. The bed is equipped with a Simmons pocket coil mattress. Rooms are equipped with an electric kettle, clothes rack and refrigerator. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathtub. Towels, bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and free toiletries are also provided. There is also a safety deposit box and a laptop safe. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Drinks vending machines and a free trouser press are available on site. Paid massages and meeting/banquet facilities can be arranged for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is a 1-minute walk from Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping District and a 5-minute walk from Miebashi Monorail Station. Naha Airport is within 30 minutes by train.
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    • Living Inn Nahakoumae
      Mid-range
      Ideally located in the Naha City Centre district of Naha, Living Inn Nahakoumae is situated 22 km from Sefa Utaki, 23 km from Nakagusuku Castle and 30 km from Zakimi Gusuku Castle. It is set 5.4 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum and offers free WiFi plus a lift. The property is 1.2 km from the city centre and 1.3 km from Naminoue Beach. Some units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kettle, as well as a fully equipped kitchenette. At the aparthotel, units come with a private bathroom. Katsuren Castle is 32 km from the aparthotel, while Maeda Cape is 34 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.
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    • Hotel GrandConsort Naha
      Luxury
      Well set in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is within 1.5 km of Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km of Tamaudun Mausoleum. This 4-star hotel offers a shared lounge, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All units include a wardrobe. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from Hotel GrandConsort Naha, while Nakagusuku Castle is 21 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.
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    • Rihga Royal Gran Okinawa
      Luxury
      Offering direct access from Asahibashi Monorail Station, Rihga Royal Gran Okinawa features spacious Western-style accommodations with free WiFi. Guests can ask for concierge services at the front desk. All rooms are non-smoking and feature air conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV, safety deposit box and fridge. Guests can make green tea using the electric kettle and wear the provided sleepwear. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer and toothbrush sets. Currency exchange and photocopying services are offered at the front desk. Laundry services are provided and on-site parking is available at an extra charge. The lobby is located on the 14th floor. A breakfast buffet and Western a la carte dishes are served at Dining 19, which offers beautiful sunset views from the top floor. Okinawa Gran Rihga Royal is a 10-minute walk from Kokusai Street and a 25-minute drive from Shuri Castle. Naha Airport is just a 10-minute drive or train ride away. A 24-hour convenience shop can be found next door.
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    • Hotel Little Island Okinawa Matsuyama
      Mid-range
      Conveniently located in the centre of Naha, Hotel Little Island Okinawa Matsuyama offers a balcony, air conditioning, free WiFi and flat-screen TV. This 3-star aparthotel offers a lift and luggage storage space. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The kitchen is fitted with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance. Naminoue Beach is 500 metres from the aparthotel, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.7 km from the property. Naha Airport is 4 km away.
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    • Condominium GOLF GOLF Tsuboya
      Mid-range
      Offering city views, Condominium GOLF GOLF Tsuboya is an accommodation located in Naha, 2.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum and 19 km from Sefa Utaki. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi. The accommodation provides a lift, full-day security and luggage storage for guests. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette, a TV and a private bathroom with bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. A microwave, a fridge and stovetop are also provided, as well as a kettle. The units include a desk. Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km from the aparthotel, while Zakimi Gusuku Castle is 28 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.
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    • Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER
      Luxury
      Conveniently located in Naha, Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER offers a buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can enjoy city views. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 2.8 km from Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER, while Nakagusuku Castle is 17 km from the property. Naha Airport is 7 km away.
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Experiences around Okinawa Island

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