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

Top rated on Okinawa Island
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 each morning at the bed and breakfast. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 4.1 km from La Passione Boutique B&B, 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. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Best ever hotel -SEVEN Hotels and Resorts-.
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    • Hotel Collective
      Luxury
      In a prime location in the centre of Naha, Hotel Collective offers air-conditioned rooms, a fitness centre, free WiFi 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. At the hotel, every room has a wardrobe. The units in Hotel Collective are equipped with a TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from Hotel Collective, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km away. Naha Airport is 5 km from the property.
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    • Living Inn Nahakoumae
      Mid-range
      Living Inn Nahakoumae offers accommodation within 1.2 km of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and kitchenware. It is set 1.3 km from Naminoue Beach and features a lift. The aparthotel has family rooms. All units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and kettle. All units feature a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 5.4 km from the aparthotel, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Living Inn Nahakoumae.
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    • Hotel GrandConsort Naha
      Luxury
      Located in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is situated 1.5 km from Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km from 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. At Hotel GrandConsort Naha every room comes with bed linen and towels. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 21 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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    • Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER
      Luxury
      Conveniently located in the centre of Naha, Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER offers 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. At Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER all rooms have bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 2.8 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 17 km from the property. Naha Airport is 7 km away.
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    • Okinawa EXES Naha
      Luxury
      Set in Naha, 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach, Okinawa EXES Naha offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. This 5-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The property is 4.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, and within 700 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Okinawa EXES Naha all rooms come with bed linen and towels. Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km away. Naha Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • Ryujin Hotel Ukishima
      Mid-range
      Ryujin Hotel Ukishima features accommodation within 600 metres of the centre of Naha, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a microwave and a toaster. With city views, this accommodation offers a terrace. The aparthotel has family rooms. All units are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is a private bathroom with bath in all units, along with a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the aparthotel, all units are soundproof. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from the aparthotel, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Ryujin Hotel Ukishima.
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    • Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha
      Luxury
      Boasting a garden, a shared lounge as well as a restaurant, Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha is situated in the centre of Naha, 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 5 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. At Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sefa Utaki is 21 km from Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha, while Nakagusuku Castle is 22 km from the property. Naha Airport is 3 km away.
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Experiences around Okinawa Island

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