Explore the Nature of Okinawa’s Yambaru with Professional Guide Wanyu

The Yambaru Forest in northern Okinawajima, together with Iriomote Island, Tokunoshima, and Amami Oshima, is a World Natural Heritage site. Led by Wanyu, a certified guide of Kunigami Village and the only certified English-speaking guide in Kunigami, you will venture deep into the forest and out into the night to observe the Okinawa Rail, amphibians, reptiles, and other endemic species of the Ryukyu Islands, for a truly authentic nature-guided experience.

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World Natural Heritage

Certified Yambaru Nature Guide Wanyu - Professional wildlife tours in Kunigami, Okinawa

Hi, I’m Wanyu — Your Certified Nature Guide in Yambaru

Originally from Taiwan and a resident of Kunigami Village since 2017, I hold a Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I focus on turning scientific knowledge into real-world discoveries, leading you into the forest to encounter Yambaru’s extraordinary wildlife firsthand.

Official Credentials: Kunigami Village–certified nature guide, and the only certified English-speaking guide in Kunigami.
Academic Background: M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University / Exchange student, University of the Ryukyus
Languages: English / Japanese / Chinese
Core Expertise: Okinawa Rail, endemic herpetofauna, and forest ecosystems.

About the Guide

Mammals

The four World Natural Heritage islands are home to around 21 species of mammals, including 13 endemic species.

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Birds

About 300 bird species can be observed on the four World Natural Heritage islands, including 6 endemic species, 3 of which are found in Yambaru.

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Reptiles

Approximately 36 species of land reptiles, including 23 endemic species, can be found across the four islands.

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Amphibians

Around 21 amphibian species, including 18 endemics, inhabit the four World Natural Heritage islands.

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Insects

The islands boast an incredible diversity of insects, with around 6,000 species, including 1,600 endemics.

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Other Animals

There are 47 species of terrestrial crustaceans, including 15 endemics. This section also includes other invertebrates.

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Plants

Roughly 2,000 species of vascular plants, including 200 endemics, grow across the four World Natural Heritage islands.

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Invasive Species

Explore the invasive animals and plants on the four World Natural Heritage islands, as designated by Japan’s Specific Invasive Species list.

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Recent Observation Records

Instagram post 18110669129054229

A male Hallowell's tree frog (Hyla hallowellii) cl

This is a Ryukyu wild boar (Sus scrofa riukiuanus)

A recently fledged juvenile Okinawa woodpecker (Sa

A male Hallowell's tree frog (Hyla hallowellii) ca

A Ryukyu long-furred rat (Diplothrix legata) feedi

An Orii's flying fox (Pteropus dasymallus inopinat

This is a male Okinawa woodpecker (Sapheopipo nogu

This is a juvenile Japanese Scops-Owl (Otus semito

This was my first time actually seeing an Okinawa

I tried to capture an Okinawa tree frog (Zhangixal

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   Yambaru Nature Guide Wanyu
   212 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
    Alexander Kröker 
 22 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best experience on Okinawa so far, never saw a Spider eating a frog. Wanyu was very ambitious to show us the environment and the animals.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Tim Newsome 
 22 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I loved our night drive with Wanyu. We saw several animals that we would never have noticed by ourselves, and Wanyu was a fount of knowledge about the ones we saw, ecology, history of the forest, and on and on. It's rare to find a guide who's *that* knowledgeable and excited about their subject.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    王小碧 
 14 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 很開心此行能預約到Wanyu精彩且豐富的森林散步之旅！不只導覽當下難得和許多物種相遇（沖繩秧雞、姬波布、琉球龍蜥、劍尾蠑螈、琉球油蟬、琉球羽黑蜻蛉、琉球琵蟌、很多很多很大隻的山原山蛞蝓），為了安排此趟行程，在行前討論中也提供許多詳細資訊及安排說明，讓我們一切順利，非常感謝貼心且細心的Wanyu~~
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    LeoK132 
 12 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. אחלה וואניו.
לקחתי את סיור הלילה של ה-4 שעות.
בתכלס בניתי על לראות את סרטן הקוקוס ורלית אוקינווה, וכל השאר בונוס. ראינו את שניהם ועוד מלא.
ממליץ בטירוף למי שרוצה לראות בעלי חיים.
וואניו אחלה מדריכה יודעת מסבירה אחלה וייב.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Luki ridiculous 
 8 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We joined Wanyu's "Morning Birding" on Aug 22, 2026 and what a morning tour it was! we first started by driving through the mountain roads, Wanyu driving the car and I had the pleasure of using her thermal camera do find animals before sunrise. after sunrise we took our time to walk next to a creek and find even more species. we saw all of the following species there: Okinawa flying fox, Okinawa woodpecker, Okinawa robin, Okinawa Rail, Ryukyu scops owl, Ruddy Kingfisher, Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake, Ryukyu Tree Lizard, Green grass lizard, Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog, Sword-tail Newt.

Wanyu was great and really flexible, she is extremally well knowledged in the animals and really cares for their wellbeing. When you are in Okinawa this is a must do!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    kinakomochikun 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 2026/8/12 に Wanyu さんの「ヤンバルクイナナイトツアー」に参加し、オリイオオコオモリ、ヤンバルクイナ、リュウキュウコノハズク、リュウキュウオオコノハズク、リュウキュウアオバズク、アカマタ、ホルストガエル などを観察することができました。
野鳥観察が好きな小学生の息子と参加しましたが、とても良い思い出になりました。
車に乗りながら観察が出来たので、ハブが怖いと言っていた子供も安心してたくさんの鳥を観察できました。
翌朝、Wanyuさんにおすすめしてもらった場所に行ってみると、道端で歩くヤンバルクイナ、ノグチゲラ、ホントウアカヒゲをみることができ、リュウキュウアカショウビンの声も聞けました。ありがとうございました。
またやんばるに行くことがあったら、昼のツアーもお願いしてみたいです。
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    シッキー 
 29 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 8月後半の生き物の観察が難しい時期の朝のガイドをお願いしたのですが、ヤンバルクイナ、アカヒゲ、ノグチゲラ等を観察できました！
ノグチゲラは見られないだろうと思っていたのですが、直近で見られたポイントに案内していただき、じっくりと観察することができました！
爬虫類、両生類、植物などの解説も詳しく解説して頂き、とても楽しかったです。
今度は爬虫類、両生類ツアーにも参加してみたいです。
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Miu Naks 
 28 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We joined the night birding tour on August 24th, 2026.

We were able to see three species of owl (Ryukyu scops-owl, Northern boobook, and the Japanese scops-owl), and many Okinawa rails resting atop the trees.

She was very knowledgable about the animals we saw, and even explained to us the history of the Okinawa rails. If not for her, we would not have been able to spot these on our own.

Would definitely recommend this to anyone who's coming to Yanbaru and are interested in birds :)

We would also love to join her tours again when we come back to Yanbaru National Park.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Atsuko Hime 
 22 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wanyu さんの「ヤンバルクイナツアー」に参加🎒
年末に北部に泊まってからヤンバルクイナに会いたくて、ずっと楽しみにしていました。ゲートや木の上で片足で寝ているヤンバルクイナに遭遇😊
邪魔にならないように、ドキドキしながら静かに観察させてもらいました！
フクギの実をたべるオリイオオコオモリ、フクロウは3種類、雨上がりの🐸はたくさん見ることができました。

Wanyu さんは生物の生態に詳しく、ヤンバルクイナの家族構成や鳴き方まで楽しく教えてくれました。

また是非参加したいです！

リュウキュウコノハズク、リュウキュウオオコノハズク、リュウキュウアオバズク、ホルストガエル

					  Great guide and experience - We had a lovely time with Wanyu looking for endemic birds.  She was able to fit us into her schedule and created a special combined night/morning program for us... read more to be able to look for both the nocturnal and day time birds.  Wanyu was very knowledgeable and was able to help find all of the endemics we were looking for.  Would recommend to anyone.				
Molly S
2026-04-28 

					  Lovely forest walk and butterfly garden (daytime)  - We had a lovely time with Wanyu as our guide to Yanbaru's nature!  We did the forest walk and butterfly garden during daytime, and learned a lot about both... read more plants and animal life. Some of our favourites were the ancient ferns, the butterflies, and the robins. The path was easy and quiet, almost no one other than us, so we could explore at our own pace. Wanyu has a lot of knowledge and responded very well to our curiosity and questions. After, she also shared her own photos from the walk and a summary of the species we saw. If we had time we would have loved to do the night walk to see some more! Highly recommend, not only for biologists (we are not), but for anyone who is curious about local species.				
Diana S
2026-04-25 

					  Recommended Review for Wanyu’s Tour  - ​I had an incredible "Night Birding" tour with Wanyu, and it was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip. Wanyu is an exceptional nature guide—kind, knowledgeable, and deeply passionate about the... read more wildlife in Okinawa.

​Communication was seamless as she is fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese. Throughout the tour, she answered all our questions with great expertise and enthusiasm. Her use of a thermal camera was a game-changer, helping us spot various birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles that we would have otherwise missed.

​What I admired most was her ethical approach to nature. She genuinely loves the creatures she shows us and goes above and beyond to minimize any impact during observation. We ended the tour not only having seen amazing species but also having learned so much about the local ecosystem.

​If you are planning a trip to Okinawa and love nature, I highly recommend booking a tour with Wanyu. It was a truly joyful and educational experience!				
OnAir20908716952
2026-03-19 

Not just seeing, but truly understanding

Get to Know the Yambaru Forest with Wanyu

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