Important Notes
Protecting Wildlife
- Drive slowly to avoid roadkill and protect animals. Please follow Japanese regulations, and do not touch protected species, such as natural monuments.
- Do not capture or remove wildlife from their habitats. Make sure to finish taking pictures on-site.
- For certain species, follow the guide’s instructions to minimize the use of flash, reducing stress on the animals.
- Do not enter private facilities or restricted forest roads without permission from management authorities.
- Do not publicly share rare species’ observation locations online.
For the Best Experience
- Please schedule your tour with the guide as early as possible. Last-minute bookings may result in joining existing groups.
- Okinawan black flies (Simuliinae) cause extreme itching and pain. Regardless of the weather, I recommend wearing light long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellent to avoid skin exposure.
- Many places in Kunigami Village have no stores. Please prepare water and food in advance.
- When contacting, try to reach me while in the western settlements of Kunigami Village; there is often no signal in the mountains or on the eastern side!
- For safety, please wear closed-toe shoes.
- Flashlights and rain boots are available for night tours; let the guide know your shoe size (in cm).
How to Book
- Send an email to acorn.okinawa@gmail.com or message me on FB/Line/WhatsApp with the following information:
- Preferred date / Tour itinerary and options
- Number of adults (high school and above) and children
- If possible, share your accommodation location in Yanbaru
- Confirm meeting time and place with me
After Booking
- Payment: To avoid complications with international transfers, I don’t charge a deposit. Please pay the guide in cash on the day. Let me know in advance if you need a receipt.
- Cancellation: I don’t charge cancellation fees for the same reason. However, canceling last minute could cause me to lose other potential work opportunities, so please try not to cancel last minute. If you must cancel, please let me know as early as possible.
- Weather: Tours will be canceled in case of heavy rain or typhoons. However, light rain can actually make it easier to observe amphibians and reptiles, so tours won’t be canceled for light rain.
FAQs
- Do I have to stay in Kunigami Village?→ Kunigami Village has the most endemic species. If you don’t stay here, you’ll need at least 1 hour of travel time. Driving back after a night tour can be tiring.
- Where’s the best place to stay?→ Okuma Resort or Yonna-kan are close to Hiji Falls in western Kunigami. For the eastern area, I recommend Yanbaru Discovery Center or Ada Garden Hotel.
- How long should I stay?→ I recommend staying for at least two nights to have enough time for observation.
- Can the tour start time be adjusted?→ Yes! Let me know if you need to adjust it.
- Can I pay by credit card?→ Yes, but please confirm the reservation before making the payment.
FAQs
- Can you guarantee seeing the target species?→ Since we’re observing wild animals, there is no guarantee.
- I don’t drive—do you offer transport from Naha?→ Paid transportation is available! I recommend taking the highway bus to Nago, and I can pick you up from there (for private tours).
- What’s the best season to visit?→ March to May is the breeding season, making it easier to observe endemic birds.
- What are some endemic bird species in Okinawa?→ The Okinawa Rail, Okinawa Robin, and Okinawa Woodpecker.
- Can you arrange field trips or nature tours to Amami or other islands?→ I can arrange custom tours. Feel free to message me on FB or other platforms!
Reservation
You can send a reservation request using the form below. Please note that your reservation is only confirmed upon receiving a confirmation reply from the guide. I will respond within 2 days.
Joining a Group
Is your desired date already booked? If the tour is not a private tour that day, you can contact the guide to join the tour.
Customers who have already made a reservation can also check to confirm that their booking is reflected on the schedule.
Ecotours
Yanbaru Private Tour
- Available for school groups, bird-watching tours, and local cultural exchange. Suitable for groups with more than 2-hours or 3.5-hour tours.
- Fee: 5,000 JPY/hour (minimum 6 hours, 30,000 JPY)
Night Drive on Forest Roads
- For species with large territories, such as owls, Ryukyu tree rats, and the territorial Okinawa Rail, night drives are the most efficient observation method.
- 2-hour course: 5,000 yen/person
- 3.5-hour course: 8,000 yen/person
Okinawa Rail Special Tour (Planning)
- Visit the best locations to observe the Okinawa Rail. Please note: depending on the season, we may observe during the day or night. Confirm with the guide.
- 2-hour course: 5,000 yen/person
- Currently in the planning and trial phase, but reservations are available.
Early Birdwatching at Hiji Falls
- Early mornings at Hiji Falls provide opportunities to observe endemic birds such as the Okinawa Robin and Okinawa Woodpecker, with March to May being the best breeding season.
- 2-hour course: 5,000 yen/person (includes entrance fee)
- 3.5-hour course: 8,000 yen/person (includes entrance fee)
Night Observation at Hiji Falls
- Night observation at Hiji Falls allows for the observation of various amphibians and reptiles in the stream environment, and if lucky, Ryukyu Scops Owls or Ryukyu Flying Foxes may also appear.
- 2-hour course: 5,000 yen/person (includes entrance fee)
- 3.5-hour course: 8,000 yen/person (includes entrance fee)
Night Observation at Yanbaru Discovery Forest
- Yanbaru Discovery Forest’s frog pond is a prime location to observe Okinawan Sword-tailed Newts in winter, and from late February to mid-March, you might see Okinawa Rails resting in the trees.
- 2-hour course: 5,000 yen/person (includes entrance fee)
- 3.5-hour course: 8,000 yen/person (includes entrance fee)
Yanbaru Area Highlights
Yanbaru Discovery Forest
Located near Aha Dam and surrounded by forests designated as a World Natural Heritage site. The trails in the park are ideal for observation. A facility usage fee is required for non-overnight guests. Reservations for lodging can be made on the official website.
Hiji Falls
Hiji Falls is the highest waterfall on Okinawa Island, surrounded by a forest environment ideal for nature observation. It’s also a popular tourist spot. The trail is about 1.5 kilometers one way, taking about 2 hours round-trip. Be mindful of the last entry time.
Yonna-kan
Yonna-kan is a budget-friendly accommodation managed by the Yona settlement. Aside from lodging, you can also reserve a delicious mountain vegetable lunch. The refined mountain vegetable dishes are both healthy and tasty, and you can also experience grass-weaving crafts.
Ada Kuina Fureai Park
Managed jointly by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and the Okinawa Wildlife Hospital NPO, this facility has an exhibit of an Okinawa Rail that cannot be released back into the wild. You can observe its behavior here. The admission fee supports the conservation of the rail.
Yuiyui Kunigami Rest Area（Michi-no-Eki）
The Yuiyui Kunigami Rest Area sells many local products from Kunigami Village and offers a selection of adorable animal-themed items, including limited-edition goods you can only find here! There is also a food court for lunch.
Daisekirinzan
Daisekirinzan’s unique terrain is formed from ancient limestone that dates back 200 million years. You can observe plant and animal species that have adapted to the limestone, such as large ficus trees and snails. Occasionally, you might spot the Ryukyu wild boar or Okinawa Robin along the trails.
