FAQ

No need to stay in Kunigami for the Forest Walk (12:30–16:30). Just meet us at the meeting point in Kunigami and you’re good to go.

Morning Birding starts very early (the start time depends on sunrise), and night tours finish late (22:30), so staying in Kunigami is recommended. Driving back to central/southern Okinawa after the tour can be tiring.

If you just want the experience, one night is enough. If you hope to see specific species, we recommend at least 2–3 nights to allow sufficient observation time.

If you enjoy birdwatching, we recommend staying at Ada Garden Hotel.

The area is great for observing birds, and many birdwatchers choose to stay here. Due to its popularity, we suggest booking in advance. Our website's【Morning Birding】 and 【Night Birding】 tours gather here, so if you plan to join our tours, staying here would be more convenient.

Since most plans on online booking sites include breakfast, if you wish to participate in the 【Morning Birding】 tour, we recommend booking a room without meals (素泊まり). Please contact the hotel separately by email or phone to reserve dinner, and you can pay for the dinner upon check-in.

※ Please note that dinner needs to be requested at least one day prior to check-in, as the hotel does not accept same-day requests.

Ada Garden Hotel
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +81-980-41-7070

If you enjoy exploring on your own, we recommend staying at Yambaru Discovery Forest.

This facility is managed on behalf of Kunigami Village and features three trails. Overnight guests can freely explore the Yamashishi and Yonner trails between 9:00 and 17:00, while the River Song Trail requires a guide. The surrounding forest is exceptionally rich, offering a great chance to encounter various rare species. Since our Herping tour uses the trails within the facility, staying here is very convenient if you plan to join us.

Please note that all three trails require a guide and an additional fee for entry at night. Please do not enter without permission.

There are no restaurants nearby—only the Aha Cooperative Store—so we recommend booking dinner with your accommodation.

※ As of September 2026, accommodation reservations have been temporarily suspended due to aging facilities and damage to some facilities caused by typhoons. Only paid access to the walking trails is currently available. It is currently unknown when accommodation reservations will resume. The facility management team is working as quickly as possible to repair the damage.

Unfortunately it won’t be cheaper via me. Please book directly through hotel or travel sites. For large groups or special requests, you can email the accommodation’s customer support directly. If I handle arrangements, a deposit for the lodging and vehicle costs must be paid in advance.

At YDF you can walk the Yamashishi and Yonner trails in the daytime by paying the admission fee (JPY 600 for ages 13+, JPY 500 for ages 6–12, free for under 6). River Song trail requires a guide. If you plan to join our Herping tour at night, show your daytime receipt and you won’t need to pay the admission fee again.

All three trails require a guide at night. Please do not enter without permission.

If you’ll be observing from afternoon through night and aren’t staying at YDF, please buy your dinner items in advance—there are no dinner restaurants nearby.

• Yamashishi Trail: About 1 km one way. First, drive about 1 km to the campground and park there. You can do a short loop near the entrance, or go to the end and return on the same path for a total of about 2 km. The toilet at the turnaround point is out of order. Many steps; poor drainage in places can make it muddy and slippery.
• Yonner Trail: A loop of about 700 m. Fully barrier-free, flat, and easy—good for seniors and children under 6.
• River Song Trail: A guide is required. We use this trail for our night tours. Some sections run along a stream and may be covered after heavy rain. The first downhill is slippery—watch your footing. End-to-end is about 700 m, but with ups/downs and the walk back to lodging, the total is about 1.2 km.

All three trails require a guide at night. Please do not enter without permission.

If you don’t have a rental car, we recommend staying at Okuma Resort first. There’s one free shuttle per day from Naha (reservation required), which saves time and money.（reservation link）

If you stay at Okuma Resort, our Morning Birding and Evening tours offer pickup from the resort. For how to reach each accommodation by bus, see Getting to Yambaru.

However, for guests hoping to observe birds, I also recommend staying at Ada Garden Hotel to increase your chances of seeing rare birds. The likelihood of spotting rare birds while staying at Okuma Resort is relatively low. For how to get to Ada Garden Hotel, see Getting to Yambaru.

For how to get there without a rental car (both going and returning), see Getting to Yambaru. Choose your starting point and the route to Ada Garden Hotel will be shown.

※ When taking the Kunigami Village Bus, please tell the driver when you board that you want to get off at Ada Garden Hotel. It is not a regular bus stop, so the bus will not stop unless you tell the driver.

The Kunigami Village Bus routes do not pass Yambaru Discovery Forest, so without a rental car you need to book the “Kunigami Reservation Bus” in advance. For the routes going and returning, and the phone number and booking hours, see Getting to Yambaru.

Yes, it is. However, if another group has already booked a 4-hour tour on the same day, the itinerary and locations will be determined by that initial booking. In cases where schedules overlap, we may not be able to offer a separate 2-hour session. We recommend confirming your date as early as possible or considering joining the existing group’s schedule.

For vehicle-based tours: Wanyu's personal vehicle can accommodate a maximum of 3 passengers. If you arrange a 10-seater chartered van, it can accommodate up to 8 passengers (excluding the driver and the guide, Wanyu). However, please note that when wildlife is spotted suddenly during the drive, passengers in the rear seats may take longer to exit the vehicle, which might result in missing the observation.

For walking tours: If meeting directly at the Yambaru Discovery Forest trails, the group size is generally limited to 8 people. Please be aware that participants walking at the back of the group may find it difficult to hear the guide's explanations clearly.

As our tours include detailed ecological explanations, we recommend a minimum age of 6. Children under 6 are welcome to join if they love wildlife, can listen quietly, and can refrain from touching the animals without permission. We kindly ask parents to provide guidance during the tour.

For children of any age, if a child is too noisy, cries, is frightened of the forest at night and keeps asking to go back, or catches animals and the parents cannot stop them, the quality of Wanyu’s guiding is affected. In such cases the tour will be ended on the spot, and no refund will be given.

Sorry—due to staffing, we don’t provide long-distance transfers between the rest of Okinawa and Kunigami.

Morning Birding starts very early, and there are no buses from central/southern Okinawa to Kunigami in the early morning. If you wish to join from Naha, arrange a taxi to take you to the Fukugawa Dam parking lot before the meeting time. For 1–3 guests you can transfer to Wanyu’s car. For 4+ guests, book a 6–10 seater charter and make sure there’s a seat for the guide.

After the tour, either return by your charter, or take #67 southbound from Yuiyui Kunigami to Nago.

Sorry—due to staffing, we don’t provide long-distance transfers between the rest of Okinawa and Kunigami for this tour.

The Forest Walk starts at 12:30, so even without a car there is plenty of time to reach Kunigami by bus, and you can return by bus afterward toward Naha, Onna or the Aquarium. For the recommended buses from each starting point (going and returning), see [Forest Walk] Recommended Buses in Getting to Yambaru.

※ If bus times differ, please follow Getting to Yambaru. Weekend timetables may differ.

Pickup is available at 18:30 from your lodging in Kunigami or Yuiyui Kunigami. If you don’t have a rental car, please arrive in Kunigami by bus. Note that there are no buses departing from Kunigami at night, so you need to pre-arrange a taxi to pick you up at Yuiyui Kunigami at 22:30.

For groups of 4+, please book a 6–10 seater charter and reserve a seat for the guide.

For groups of 4 or more with your own vehicle (or chartered car), a discounted rate is available. For vehicle-based tours (Morning Birding, Night Birding, Evening tour (pickup)), no other guests will join because of vehicle limits, so it is effectively a private tour. Walking tours (Forest Walk, Herping) are not private tours, so other individual guests may join the group.

Please refer to each tour page for pricing details: Base group fee + 1,000 JPY (Insurance fee) x total number of participants. ※ The insurance fee applies to the total number of people, not just those exceeding 4.

Best Observations (March – June) : Okinawa rails begin courtship in March, followed by egg-laying and incubation in April. May and June are the peak brooding periods, making these the best months to spot them in the early morning. Additionally, March and April mark the breeding season for the Okinawa woodpecker and Okinawa robin. They are highly active and vocal during this time, providing excellent observation opportunities.

Other Observations: In July and August, there is still a chance to see adult rails leading their juveniles to practice foraging. However, as the weather cools from November to February, the Okinawa rail, Okinawa robin, and Okinawa woodpecker become much more difficult to observe.

Best Observations (March – October) : In the spring (March), the plants of Yambaru sprout new leaves and bloom, making it the most beautiful season for the forest. As the weather warms up, summer brings sightings of tree lizards, grass lizards, and various cicadas. During the day, you may also encounter the Okinawa robin, Okinawa woodpecker, and Ruddy kingfisher in the canopy.

Other Observations: From November onwards, as temperatures drop, the chances of seeing lizards and insects decrease. During this period, the focus shifts to observing winter-blooming plants and the Sword-tailed newt.

Best Observations (March – June) : During the spring months of March and April, you can observe spring-breeding species such as the Japanese tip-nosed frog, Okinawa narrow-mouthed toad, and Hallowell's tree frog, as well as predators like the Himehabu and Pryer's keelback. You may also still see winter-breeding species like the Okinawa tree frog and Anderson's crocodile newt. The rainy season in May and June offers chances to see summer-breeding species like the Namie's frog and Holst's frog.

Other Observations: While summer-breeding frogs can still be seen from July to October, seasonal species such as the spring-breeding frogs are harder to find. However, there is a higher chance of seeing insects such as stag beetles and large moths. Although the Okinawa ishikawa frog is a winter-breeding species, the same individual was observed at a fixed location in Yambaru Discovery Forest during the summer of 2025. Long-term monitoring is required to confirm whether this individual can be seen every summer (July–October). As the weather cools in November and December, before the winter frogs emerge, the primary observation focus is the Sword-tailed newt.

Best Observations (July – October) : Okinawa rail juveniles begin learning to climb trees in July, so the chances of spotting them roosting in trees are high in August and September. Ryukyu scops owl juvenilesalso fledge in July and August. September and October are the courtship months for the Ryukyu long-furred rat, increasing the likelihood of encountering them along the forest paths.

Other Observations: During winter cold snaps or once the rails begin incubating eggs in the spring, the probability of seeing them in trees is lower. Owls are also harder to spot during their incubation period. However, the Okinawa flying fox can be observed year-round.

Tour fees are accepted in Japanese yen cash only; we cannot accept credit cards. Please prepare cash in advance. If we arrange a car or lodging for you, please pay those items by credit card (we add the processing fee).

No deposit is required for our tours. Accordingly, there is no cancellation fee. However, last-minute cancellations can mean lost work opportunities—if you must cancel, please tell us as early as possible.

Yes. If another 1–2 guests can share the same schedule, we’ll apply the 2–3 person rate. About one week before the tour, we’ll check whether rideshare is possible and confirm whether you’d still like to join if rideshare isn’t available.

If you cancel because rideshare is unavailable, we cannot cover your hotel’s cancellation fee in Kunigami.

Inventory is limited around Japanese holidays—especially on the islands—so please book early. With a 1949 Geneva-format International Driving Permit (IDP), you may drive:
• Class B: standard cars—typically up to 8 seats (what most rental companies allow).
• Class D: large passenger vehicles—10 seats or more (required for 10-seater vans like a Hiace).
Note: Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva IDP (not the 1968 Vienna format). Policies vary by rental company; please check the vehicle class shown on your IDP.

If you plan to rent an 8-seat vehicle, note that many models are 2-3-2 or 2-3-3; the last row often ends up as luggage space. If you’re 6+ people with luggage, renting two cars is recommended.

• Tabirai Rent-a-Car: Easy price comparison.
• Budget Rent-a-Car: I often use them; locations on Ishigakijima, Miyakojima, and Amami Oshima.
• ORIX Rent-a-Car: Many locations on Okinawajima; also on Miyakojima, Iriomote, Amami Oshima—and even Kumejima and Tokunoshima.
• Toyota Rent-a-Car Nago: If you want to avoid driving in Naha, take the highway bus to Yofuke and walk to the Nago branch.
• Okuma navi: If you prefer renting after arriving in Kunigami; scooters also available.
• 
  

Even if you don’t drive, you can charter a taxi. In addition to standard sedans (3–4 passengers), groups of 5–9 can search for a “jumbo taxi” (van). Because Naha → north of Nago is a long distance, some providers charge an 8-hour minimum (even if used less).

• KKday: Comparison site; check in advance that Kunigami is covered.
• Okito Taxi: English-friendly charter service. Booking: [email protected]
• Marukin Kanko Taxi: Great deals for pickups and drop-offs within Nago. [email protected]

From Okuma Beach Iriguchi to Nago Bus Terminal it’s JPY 1,160. #67 may not accept credit cards—carry cash. Nago → Naha (#111 / #117 / #YKB) and the Onna area (#120 / OAS) sometimes accept cards. For final checks on last buses and routes, please refer to Bus Map Okinawa. (Bus Map Okinawa). Timetable links for each route are also collected in Getting to Yambaru.

You can’t hail taxis or Uber on the street in Kunigami, and daytime service is limited. Please book in advance. For northern Okinawa, Marukin Taxi accepts reservations.（Marukin Taxi）

For getting around within Kunigami (to accommodation, restaurants, etc.), you can also use the “Kunigami Public Ride-Share” (pilot program). The fare is lower than a regular taxi. For the period, hours and how to book, see Getting to Yambaru.

Rough one-way fares for small taxis (4 passengers; highway tolls and late-night surcharges extra):

• Nago ↔ Kunigami: JPY 8,000–10,000
• Onna ↔ Kunigami: JPY 17,000–20,000
• Naha Airport ↔ Kunigami: JPY 30,000–35,000

The weather from May to June is the rainy season, while August to October is the typhoon season, during which you may experience rain.

During the summer, daytime temperatures peak at around 35-37°C. With little shade outdoors, it's recommended to wear light long sleeves and a hat for sun protection. In winter, the average temperature is about 15-17°C. When cold fronts hit, strong winds can occur, with nighttime temperatures dropping to about 10-12°C. Generally, you might see frogs even in low temperatures, but observing the Okinawa rail might be more challenging, and some tours might be canceled.

1. Taiho Dam (Nago): Observation facilities; good for winter waterfowl.
2. Kouri Bridge (Nakijin): Coastal rocks; breeding terns (Jun–Sep).
3. Kin area (Okukubi River mangroves): Winter shorebirds around the paddies.
4. Urasoe Grand Park: Urban green with resident species.
5. Sueyoshi Park: Same as above.
6. Manko Wetland: Egrets and shorebirds; Black-faced Spoonbill sometimes in winter.

We list only wildlife/outdoor-related stores (no cosmetics or duty-free):

1. Yui Yui Kunigami (Roadside Station): Cute wildlife-themed goods; unique local items. Reachable by the #67 bus.
2. Montbell (Aeon Mall Rycom): Japan’s major outdoor brand; only one store in Okinawa. Access by bus; see official site. Not an outlet; no duty-free.
3. Workman: Popular functional outerwear at good prices. Stores are often away from tourist areas; Kyozuka branch is walkable from Yui Rail Kyozuka Station.
4. Junkudo (Naha): The largest bookstore in Okinawa—best for field guides; near Yui Rail Miebashi Station.
5. Book-Off (Naha): Good for older or out-of-print field guides; near Yui Rail Akamine Station.

Kunigami doesn't have many restaurants, and most are concentrated in the western area. If you are staying in eastern facilities such as the Yambaru Discovery Forest and Ada Garden Hotel, we recommend booking breakfast and dinner at the accommodation facilities or buying some food in advance from convenience stores or local cooperative stores.

1. Kunigami Minato Syokudo (Lunch & Dinner): Kunigami Minato Syokudo mainly offers fish dishes like sashimi set meals, using catches from set nets, ensuring fresh and delicious options. The restaurant is extremely popular and does not take reservations, so you must queue up at the location.
2. Yakiniku Lion Okuma (Dinner): Though the prices are a bit higher at Yakiniku Lion Okuma, the food is very tasty.
3. Yuiyui Kunigami Food Court (Lunch): Yuiyui offers a variety of dining options, many under 1000 yen. Vegetarians can also find Indian curry here (note the rest days). The restaurants close after 16:00, so it's not suitable for dinner.
4. ASMUI (Daisekirinzan) Restaurant (Lunch): You don't need a ticket to dine here—just tell the entrance that you want to go to the 2nd-floor restaurant. It is recommended to dine here before or after exploring the ASMUI trails. They offer unique dishes such as herbal salty porridge, herbal pizza, goat Okinawa noodles, and shell ginger dorayaki. Card payments are accepted.
5. Oku Yambaru Shokudo (Lunch): Oku Yambaru Shokudo offers large portions and delicious meals that are loved by locals. Closed on Tuesdays.
6. Yambaru Pineapple Hills Aha (Lunch): Located at the roadside station near Aha Reservoir, Yambaru Pineapple Hills Aha serves various dishes made with local Okinawa ingredients, such as Okinawa noodles and steaks. It's the only dining spot if you happen to be observing around Yambaru Discovery Forest or Aha Reservoir during the day.
7. Cooperative Stores: Due to inconvenient transportation in Yambaru, some stores were jointly managed by local residents in the past and are called "cooperative stores." They sell necessary goods for local residents. Some have now transitioned to individual management. Cooperative stores usually align with local living hours, opening early and closing early, and typically do not sell ready-made meals; however, you can buy bread, instant noodles, snacks, and drinks. Some stores offer hot water for making instant noodles on-site. You can search for: Iminaa Cooperative Store, Oku Cooperative Store, Yada Cooperative Store, and Ambo Cooperative Store. By shopping at cooperative stores, you help support their economic income, and their continued operation ensures shopping convenience for seniors in remote areas. We encourage everyone to make use of cooperative stores!

Outside of guided nature tours, consider these places. They are all within Kunigami Village. Without a rental car, you can use the “Kunigami Public Ride-Share” (pilot program) to get there; see Getting to Yambaru for details.

• Ada Kuina Fureai Park: A facility where you are guaranteed to see the Okinawa Rail; the birds here are captive-bred. On the way to the park, there is also a good chance of encountering wild individuals. Admission is JPY 700 for adults, and proceeds support Okinawa Rail conservation.
• Yambaru Discovery Forest: The trails at this facility are open between 9:00 and 17:00. After paying the trail entrance fee at the counter, you can explore the Yamashishi Trail and Yonner Trail, where you may spot Sword-tailed Newts and Ryukyu Robins along the paths.
• ASMUI (Daisekirinzan): Features striking geological landscapes with gentle trails and barrier-free routes suitable for all ages. Around the facility, you have a higher chance of spotting Ryukyu Wild Boars; in summer, Okinawa Tree Lizards are frequently seen, and April is the peak blooming season for Mucuna macrocarpa. Admission is JPY 2,500 for ages 15 and up. You can download an audio guide onto your smartphone in advance.
• Cape Hedo (Hedo Misaki): The northernmost tip of Okinawa Island. You can observe coastal flora along the walking paths, and it is also a great spot for stargazing at night. Admission is free, and dining options are available nearby.
• Yambaru Toy Museum: Reopened in March 2026 after renovations, this museum features interactive wooden toys perfect for young children. Admission: JPY 1,000 for ages 1 to elementary school students, and JPY 1,400 for junior high school students and above.
• Kunigami Forest Park: A nature facility featuring cottages, a campground, and trails, alongside an astronomical observatory. The observatory is accessible only to participants in stargazing programs. If you have not booked an in-house program, general nature observation is allowed only between 9:00 and 18:00; outside these hours, entry is restricted to program participants.
• Yui Yui Kunigami (Roadside Station): Offers a variety of cute wildlife-themed merchandise and souvenirs, along with several local eateries. Most restaurants here close by 16:00.
• Yambaru World Heritage Center (formerly Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center): Managed by the Ministry of the Environment, this facility offers educational exhibits on local wildlife. It reopened in July 2026 following renovations.
• Hiji Waterfall: The trail suffered severe damage from heavy rains in November 2024 and is currently closed.

Without a rental car, take a bus from Kunigami to Nago, then transfer to a bus to the Aquarium. Choose your accommodation below and Getting to Yambaru will show how to ride each section, with timetable links:

• From Okuma Resort
• From Yanbaru Hostel
• From Yambaru Discovery Forest
• From Ada Garden Hotel

Get off at “Memorial Park Mae” (be aware that some #65 runs do not stop there) and walk to the Central Gate. You can leave luggage at the office on the left. After your visit, pick up your luggage at the Central Gate, cross the central pedestrian bridge and board at the stop opposite: OAS (if staying in Onna), #117 (for the Asahibashi Bus Terminal area) or YKB888 (for the Omoromachi Station area) to return to central/southern Okinawa. Links to each route’s timetable are at the bottom of Getting to Yambaru.

Due to habitat development and the presence of the invasive Javan Mongoose, the probability of encountering rare species in the Nago area is extremely low. While Ogimi and Higashi villages offer opportunities to observe rare amphibians and reptiles, if your primary goal is to spot the Okinawa rail, Kunigami is the core region with the highest population density. Our tours in Kunigami maintain an over 95% success rate for observing Okinawa rails, with frequent sightings of multiple individuals during a single tour.

The Evening tour (pickup) includes a pickup service, but you can think of it as a customizable itinerary. Within 3-4 hours, Wanyu can take you to different observation sites. If you are looking for specific rare species, this tour can take you to locations other than those covered in the Night Birding or Herping tours, and provides more sufficient time for observation.

The main difference between the Night Birding and Herping tours is that Night Birding is primarily a driving tour. The main goal of this tour is the Okinawa rail, but especially in spring and summer after rain, we have a high chance of seeing snakes and frogs on the road. Wanyu will also select suitable spots depending on the season to get out of the car for brief observations. However, some rare frogs are easier to observe along the trails of the Yambaru Discovery Forest. If amphibians and reptiles are your primary goal, we recommend choosing the Herping tour.

The main difference between the Herping and Night Birding tours is that Herping is primarily a walking tour. The main goal of this tour is small creatures like frogs and insects, which are hard to notice while driving. However, while we drive to the Yambaru Discovery Forest trails, there is still a chance to see an Okinawa rail. As the population density near the facility is relatively low, if your primary goal is to observe resting Okinawa rails at night, we recommend choosing the Night Birding tour.

If you plan to visit Okinawajima between April and June, we recommend booking a 【Morning Birding】 tour, as there is a high chance of seeing wild Okinawa rails! If you are staying at Ada Garden Hotel, rails often breed nearby, and there's even a chance to see juveniles born that year. It is less likely to see Okinawa rails during the night on a Night Birding tour, as the breeding rails remain on the ground with their young and don’t rest in trees as often.

If you plan to visit Okinawajima between July and November, we recommend booking a 【Night Birding】 tour, where you can observe the rails resting in trees. Please follow the guide's instructions, using only one flashlight to avoid strong light and prolonged exposure, which can stress the Okinawa rail. If you're staying at Ada Garden Hotel, you might also spot Okinawa rails resting in trees nearby.

If you plan to visit Okinawajima between December and March, overall, you have a higher chance of seeing rails during a 【Night Birding】 tour compared to a 【Morning Birding】 tour. However, if there's a cold front or strong winds, the Okinawa rail might rest in thickets to avoid the wind, making sightings less likely.

I use my extensive experience to visit prime locations for observing the Okinawa rail. In 2026, up to October, 【Night Birding】has found the Okinawa rail on every single tour, so your chances of seeing one are very high.

During the breeding season from March to June, there is a chance to see 3 endemic species: the Okinawa rail, Okinawa woodpecker, and Okinawa robin. However, after autumn and winter, the likelihood decreases.

Other species that might be observed include the Ruddy Kigfisher (summer visitor), Ryukyu Green Pigeon, Ryukyu minivet, Varied tit, Japanese pygmy woodpecker, and Grey-faced buzzard (winter visitor).

Based on Wanyu's experience and route, birds that are seldom observed include the Ryukyu flycatcher and Black wood pigeon.

Okinawa rail, Okinawa scops owl, Japanese scops-owl, Ryukyu northern boobook.

Yes, if you can only join the afternoon tour for special reasons (for example, you are arriving in Okinawa by cruise ship and cannot join the Morning Birding tour), and you want to see endemic bird species, you can meet me at Yuiyui Kunigami at 12:30, and I can take you bird watching. However, please note that the chance of seeing the Okinawa rail is very low during this time, and the chances of seeing woodpeckers and robins are also lower compared to the morning. We would just be trying our luck at the spots where they were found in the morning. If your purpose is birdwatching, the morning is still recommended as the best time for observation.

Tours will be canceled in case of heavy rain or typhoons. Light rain makes it easier to observe creatures such as amphibians and reptiles, so the Herping tour goes ahead in light rain and brief passing showers (see the rainfall intensity below for details).

Check the current rain cloud situation (Japan Meteorological Agency):
https://www.jma.go.jp/bosai/nowc/#zoom:11/lat:26.637033/lon:128.083107/colordepth:normal/elements:hrpns&slmcs

Rainfall intensity
1-5mm/h (light blue): Herping and Birding tours will proceed as usual
5-10mm/h (sky blue): Herping tours will run during brief passing showers but cancel during continuous rain, while Birding tours are canceled.
10-20mm/h (dark blue): Both Herping and Birding tours are canceled

For guests staying in Kunigami, I will make a final contact 1 hour before departure to confirm if the tour will proceed. For guests staying outside Kunigami, I will refer to other forecasts and confirm with you 3 hours before departure.

Rain gear:
Herping tour: Either a raincoat or an umbrella is fine. We use trails instead of bushwhacking through the forest, so a smaller umbrella suffices and does not hinder walking. If long-term rain is forecasted and you don’t want to hold an umbrella continuously, wearing a raincoat is also an option.
Birding tour: Either a raincoat or an umbrella is fine. Personally, I prefer using an umbrella as it keeps my glasses from getting wet and can be quickly folded once back in the car. The Birding tour uses vehicles for transport, so you can observe from inside the vehicle when it rains suddenly.

The tours offered on this webpage are guided solely by Wanyu, without any additional guides. Therefore, if someone has already booked a herping tour, Wanyu will not be able to guide other tours at the same time. Please select a different date.

Yes, if you don't mind driving your own vehicle and having Wanyu conduct the tour in your car, allowing other guests to join, you can participate in the same time slot.

Personally, I don't think there are many mosquitoes, but I still recommend spraying some insect repellent, as bites from biting midges can be quite common during the rainy season. In Kunigami, there shouldn't be any leeches that feed on human blood; I've only seen those that use amphibians as hosts. I can provide insect repellent.

Once the tour date and time are confirmed, please provide the list of participants so Domestic Travel Accident Insurance can be arranged for you. The insurance provider is Daido Fire and Marine Insurance Co., Ltd., and the coverage details are as follows:

1. Death and Permanent Disability: JPY 10,000,000

2. Daily Hospitalization Allowance: JPY 5,000

3. Daily Outpatient Allowance: JPY 3,000

Safety is our top priority during the tour. Please wear closed-toe shoes. Please do not catch or handle venomous animals, and watch your step to avoid tripping. Additionally, please avoid wearing perfume or scented products, as they may attract bees.

Winter here generally refers to December to February.

In winter, we recommend joining the 【Herping】 tour. From December to February, there is a good chance to see the Okinawa Sword-tail newt, Okinawa crocodile newt, and the Okinawa tree frog, which breed during winter. You might also spot the Himehabu, which preys on tree frogs. However, it's relatively challenging to see lizards and insects during this season.

Joining the 【Night Birding】 tour in winter also provides the opportunity to see the Okinawa rail, and you might come across Okinawa tree frogs on the road, or even owls preying on roadkilled tree frogs. From late January to February, you could also see the Ryukyu flying fox feeding on Cherry blossoms' nectar.

We don't recommend the 【Morning Birding】 tour in winter since the chances of spotting endemic species are not very high. If you wish to birdwatch during the day, we suggest staying at Ada Garden Hotel where the likelihood of sightings might be higher while waiting and observing at this location.

The 【Forest Walk】 tour has a relatively low chance of seeing animals such as insects and birds during winter. If seeing animals is your main goal, I do not recommend joining the 【Forest Walk】 in winter. However, if you are interested in the forest and plants, the tour can still be enjoyable during this season.

Yes. The group size and vehicle limits for this 4-hour tour are the same as for Night Birding: for 1–3 guests you can ride in Wanyu’s car; for 4 or more, please provide a rental or chartered car, and Wanyu will guide from inside the vehicle. If you use your own rental car to join Night Birding + Herping on the same night, the meeting point is the Fukugawa Dam parking lot. If you are staying at Ada Garden Hotel, you can also meet at Ada Garden Hotel.

You don’t need to book the 4-hour Evening tour (pickup). If you don’t have a rental car, I can pick you up at Ada Garden Hotel and take you to Yambaru Discovery Forest for the tour. The drive from Ada Garden Hotel to Yambaru Discovery Forest takes about 15 minutes one way, or 30 minutes round trip, so the actual tour time is 19:15–21:45 (2.5 hours), and the price is adjusted as follows: 1 person: ¥25,000 per person; 2–3 people: ¥15,000 per person.

Meals are not provided during our tours. For Night Birding, Herping and the Forest Walk, please eat before the tour starts. If you are worried about getting hungry, you can bring some light snacks.

Morning Birding starts very early (the start time depends on sunrise), so you may not have time for the hotel breakfast. We suggest booking a room plan without breakfast and preparing your breakfast the day before. If you forgot, tell Wanyu during the tour, and Wanyu may be able to take you to a cooperative store to buy something (please note that cooperative stores are sometimes closed).

If you don’t have a rental car and want to have dinner before a night tour, you can book the Evening tour (pickup). Wanyu will take you to buy dinner before the tour starts.

There are restrooms at all meeting points, but some trails have none, so we recommend using the restroom at the meeting point before setting off. If you suddenly need a restroom during the tour, please tell Wanyu, and Wanyu will take you to a suitable place as soon as possible.

For 2-hour tours (the 2-hour Forest Walk, Night Birding and Herping), we do not make a special restroom stop. For tours longer than 2 hours (Morning Birding, the 4-hour Forest Walk and the Evening tour (pickup)), we stop at a place with restrooms along the way.

• Yuiyui Kunigami (Roadside Station): Parking and restrooms available. Free.
• Fukugawa Dam parking lot: Parking and restrooms available. Free.
• Yambaru Discovery Forest: Parking and restrooms available. Free. Parking is limited to the guided tour time; guests who are not staying there may not park overnight.
• Ada Garden Hotel: The parking lot is for hotel guests only. If you are not staying there, please park at the Fukugawa Dam parking lot.

Wanyu can guide in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and English. Japanese and English are not at a native level, but everyday conversation and wildlife explanations are no problem.

The more dangerous snakes you might encounter during the tours are:

• Habu: Not common, and not found at fixed locations; they are usually encountered by chance while driving. As long as you keep your distance, habu will not attack on their own.
• Himehabu: Prefers cool environments, so it is more common in winter and spring and less common in summer and autumn. Its camouflage blends in with the surroundings, so it is possible to step on one by accident; please watch your step. Its venom is weaker than the habu’s.

Safety rules: On walking tours, always check that there is no snake where you are about to step, and do not step where you cannot see the ground, to avoid stepping on a snake hidden in grass or leaf litter. If we find a snake during the tour, catching it by hand is prohibited, whether it is venomous or not. Minimizing disturbance to wildlife also helps avoid bites. Please wear shoes that fully cover your toes; if you are worried, you can borrow rain boots from Wanyu. When we encounter a snake, we observe it from a safe distance. Snakes are part of nature, so there is no need to be overly worried.

If you are bitten, tell Wanyu immediately and go to a hospital right away (you can call 119). If treatment is delayed after a habu or Himehabu bite, there is a risk of lasting after-effects or even death, but with prompt treatment most people recover. The nearest medical facility to Kunigami is Okinawa Prefectural Hokubu Hospital in Nago.

You can bring a camera. However, please understand that Wanyu’s tours are nature observation tours, not professional bird photography tours: we cannot guarantee that you will photograph a specific species, and we usually do not wait at one spot for a particular bird to appear. The tours mostly involve walking, and sometimes, to avoid disturbing animals, photos are taken directly from inside the vehicle, so we do not recommend bringing a tripod.

A flash can be used at night, but please finish shooting within 2–3 flashes. There is no research yet on the effects of flash on wildlife in Yambaru, but some experts suspect that nocturnal birds such as owls may be temporarily unable to see well when flashed repeatedly, so please limit the number of flashes and follow Wanyu’s instructions. At night, Wanyu controls the flashlight, including when and where it is pointed, to avoid strong or prolonged light.

Wanyu can take photos for you.

Applies to: Morning Birding, Forest Walk

• Wear: Shoes suitable for walking and clothes that are not too brightly colored. Long sleeves and a hat are recommended to avoid sunburn and heatstroke.
• Required: Drinking water.
• Recommended: Binoculars or a telephoto lens, rain gear, a flashlight.
• Wanyu can lend you (limited quantity and sizes): Rain boots (23–28 cm), a flashlight, insect repellent.

Applies to: Evening tour (pickup), Night Birding, Herping

• Wear: Shoes suitable for walking. Long sleeves are recommended to avoid insect bites.
• Required: Drinking water.
• Recommended: Binoculars or a telephoto lens, rain gear, a flashlight.
• Wanyu can lend you (limited quantity and sizes): Rain boots (23–28 cm), a flashlight, insect repellent.

For binoculars, we recommend 8x magnification, which is common for birdwatching (for example 8x25): the field of view is wider, so it is easier to find birds. A telephoto lens of about 300 mm is enough, and a smartphone camera can also work.

Yes, we can issue a receipt. Tour fees are accepted in Japanese yen cash only; credit cards cannot be used.

Night Birding is mainly done by vehicle, and we only get out at specific spots to observe, so the walking distance is short. If they can walk short distances, they can also join the Herping tour. Please let Wanyu know in the notes field when booking, and Wanyu will choose easier-to-walk locations. We do not recommend Morning Birding or the Forest Walk, because the tours are longer and may involve walking longer distances.

By default, tours are shared, which means other guests may join on the day.

• Vehicle-based tours (Morning Birding, Night Birding, Evening tour (pickup)): Wanyu’s car seats up to 3 guests. If you book for 1–2 people, other guests may join on the day (full at 3 people).
• Walking tours (Forest Walk, Herping): If you book for 1–7 people, other guests may join on the day (full at 8 people).

If you prefer not to be with other guests, please see the next question.

Vehicle-based tours (Morning Birding, Night Birding, Evening tour (pickup))

• 1 person booking: The fee for 1 person applies. (Tours are shared by default and the booking calendar will show open spaces, but it is still possible that you will be the only guest on the day.)
• 2 people booking: The fee for 2–3 people applies. (Tours are shared by default and the booking calendar will show open spaces. If another guest joins on the day, everyone pays the fee for 2–3 people.)
• 3 people: Wanyu’s car is full and no other guests will be added, so it is effectively a private tour.
• 4 or more people: Please provide a rental or chartered car; Wanyu guides from inside the vehicle. Because of vehicle limits, no other guests will be added, so it is effectively a private tour.
• 1–2 people who want a private tour (no other guests): The fee for 3 people applies.

Walking tours (Forest Walk, Herping)

• 1 person booking: The fee for 1 person applies. (Tours are shared by default and the booking calendar will show open spaces, but it is still possible that you will be the only guest on the day.)
• 2 people booking: The fee for 2–3 people applies. (Tours are shared by default and the booking calendar will show open spaces. If another guest joins on the day, everyone pays the fee for 2–3 people.)
• 3 people: You can ride in Wanyu’s car to the observation site, but it is not a private tour; other guests may still join, driving their own cars to the site.
• 4 or more people: Please follow Wanyu’s car to the observation site in a rental or chartered car. This is not a private tour; other guests may still join.
• 1–8 people who want a private tour (no other guests): The fee for 8 people applies.
• More than 8 people: This is effectively a private tour, and no further spaces will be opened on the booking calendar. The discounted price applies, and the insurance fee is charged for the total number of participants (for example, 10 people pay insurance for 10 people, not capped at 8).

We do not currently offer regular tours on outlying islands. For island trips, in addition to the guide fee, guests would need to cover Wanyu’s transportation and accommodation costs, which is not very cost-effective if you only plan to observe for 1–2 nights, so we recommend considering a local nature experience tour.

If you still wish to have Wanyu guide you on another island, please email us with the number of participants and your itinerary plans, and Wanyu will give you a quote.

When there are too many people, those at the back often cannot hear the explanations, and noise or movement can scare the animals away, which lowers your chances of seeing wildlife. A group of 10–19 people can join the walking tours in smaller groups:

• Forest Walk (2-hour option only), example split: 12:30–14:30 Group 1, 14:30–16:30 Group 2.
• Herping (2-hour option), example split: 19:00–21:00 Group 1, 21:00–23:00 Group 2.

The fee is calculated separately for each group: base fee + ¥1,000 (insurance) x number of people in that group. For example, Herping with 2 groups of 9: each group pays ¥40,000 + ¥1,000 x 9 = ¥49,000, so ¥98,000 in total.

We cannot accommodate groups on the vehicle-based tours (Morning Birding, Night Birding, Evening tour (pickup)). Even if Wanyu rides in the first car and a second car follows, the second car will have difficulty seeing the animals that the first car sees (such as owls and Ryukyu long-furred rats).

When there are too many people, those at the back often cannot hear the explanations, and noise or movement can scare the animals away, which lowers your chances of seeing wildlife. Even if split into smaller groups, 20–40 people is more than Wanyu can handle, so we do not recommend joining our tours. We suggest arranging visits to places where large buses can stop:

• ASMUI (Daisekirinzan): Has an audio guide app in foreign languages, so you can walk on your own without a guide. The trails are easy to walk, and in summer you may also see Okinawa tree lizards.
• Ada Kuina Fureai Park: You can see captive-bred Okinawa rails and learn about conservation measures. Large buses can park there, but the road is narrow, so please contact the park in advance to tell them you are coming by bus.
• Yambaru World Heritage Center (formerly Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center): Groups need to contact the center in advance.

Sorry, Wanyu is the only guide at this company, so we cannot arrange additional Chinese- or English-speaking guides.

If you still decide to visit Okinawa and the Yambaru area during a typhoon, Wanyu will use the forecast to try to move your tour to a day with less impact and with availability (availability is not guaranteed).

Every meeting point has a Google Maps link. If you cannot find the meeting point or will be late, please email Wanyu. If there are no other guests, Wanyu can wait a little; if you are 10 minutes or more late without contacting us, Wanyu will cancel that day’s tour.

Sorry, Wanyu’s expertise is wildlife observation, so Wanyu cannot offer introductions or activities on this topic.