Night birding

This tour will drive at night to search for Okinawa rail sleeping in trees. Okinawa rails are territorial, with only one or two individuals in a given area, so we need to drive and expand the search area for a higher chance of finding them. There is also a chance to see other creatures such as Ryukyu tree rats, owls, and fruit bats. While driving, the guide will introduce the species’ ecology. The success rate of finding Okinawa rails during this night birding tour in 2024 is approximately 95%.

褐鷹鴞

Fees

  • High school students and above: 5,000 JPY / person
  • Junior high and elementary school students: 3,500 JPY / person
  • Children not yet attending school: Not recommended to participate

Time

  • 19:50: Meet at Fungawa dam parking lot
  • 20:00: Meet at Ada Garden Hotel (for guests staying at this facility only)
  • 20:00-22:00: Observation time

Number of Participants

  • 2-6 people
  • 6 people is the maximum number of passengers for the vehicle-guided tour.

Things to Bring

  • Flashlight
  • Mosquito repellent or long-sleeved clothing
  • Sneakers or rain boots
  • Drinking water

Registration and Payment

Google Form
  • Please contact via FB / Line / WhatsApp or fill out the Google Form
  • Cash payment on-site / online credit card payment (please notify in advance if a receipt is required)

Important Notes

  • According to the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism’s regulation, eco-tour guides can offer tours that include transportation（refer to the regulation document）
  • The tour will depart from Ada Garden Hotel and head to nearby forest roads to search for owls and Okinawa rails.
  • If you wish to observe Okinawa rails at night, it is recommended to avoid the breeding season from mid-March to June, and the cold months from December to early February. During these periods, Okinawa rails rest on the ground, and the chances of seeing them are lower.
  • If you need to borrow a flashlight, please contact us in advance. This tour is primarily conducted in the vehicle, with only a few short walks on specific routes. Regular sneakers are sufficient; rain boots are usually not required.
  • In case of light rain (under 3mm) and if the rain is expected to ease, the tour will proceed as scheduled. If a typhoon, heavy rain, or cold front is forecast, the activity will be canceled due to difficult bird-watching conditions.
  • We cannot guarantee the sighting of specific species.

Meeting Points

  • Normal meeting point is Fungawa dam parking lot at 21:50, from where the guide will drive to the observation area.
  • For guests staying at Ada Garden Hotel, the meeting point is at the hotel entrance at 22:00.
  • For those staying west of Kunigami Village, the meeting point will be the parking lot next to Yona Sports Field.
  • Meeting time: 19:10. After gathering, the guide will drive to the location to reduce the risk of roadkill.