Yanbaru Region
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:
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.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Okinawa Island
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La Passione Boutique B&BFeaturing free WiFi and a terrace, La Passione is a secluded bed and breakfast in Naha. Guests can take a 10-minute walk to Naha Kokusai Dori or go to Jogaku Park, a 4-minute walk from the property. Bicycle hire is available upon reservation. All rooms have an electric kettle and a refrigerator, while some rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. A hairdryer is provided on site. Extra amenities include face tissues, cotton buds, hand soap, body soap, hair shampoo and conditioners. Guests can enjoy Western-style breakfast at La Passione. Luggage storage is available on site. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 500 meters away from La Passione, while Makishi Public Market and Yachimun Street are both a 10-minute walk away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, a 20-minute taxi ride from the property.View on Booking.com
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Hotel CollectiveIn 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, room service 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. An American breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. With staff speaking English, Japanese and Chinese, around-the-clock information is available at the reception. Naminoue Beach is 1.8 km from Hotel Collective, while Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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Okinawa EXES NahaSet 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. With free WiFi, this 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 4.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. 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. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Okinawa EXES Naha.View on Booking.com
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Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIERConveniently located in Naha, Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER offers a 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 offering 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. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 7 km from Daiwa Roynet Hotel NAHA-OMOROMACHI PREMIER.View on Booking.com
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Hotel GrandConsort NahaWell set in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is within 1.5 km of Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km of 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 with 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. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Hotel GrandConsort Naha.View on Booking.com
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JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom NahaJR 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.View on Booking.com
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Chura Gahna House Tsubogawa NahaChura Gahna House Tsubogawa Naha is located in Naha, 2.4 km from Naminoue Beach, 5.1 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, as well as 21 km from Sefa Utaki. This 2-star apartment offers a lift and free WiFi. The apartment features family rooms. Every unit is equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine, kettle and kitchen. The units include a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Nakagusuku Castle is 22 km from the apartment, while Zakimi Gusuku Castle is 31 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 3 km from Chura Gahna House Tsubogawa Naha.View on Booking.com
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The Kitchen Hostel AoIdeally situated in the Naha City Centre district of Naha, The Kitchen Hostel Ao is situated 4.7 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, 20 km from Nakagusuku Castle and 22 km from Sefa Utaki. The 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach. All rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. Guests at the hostel can enjoy an American breakfast. Speaking English and Japanese at the reception, staff are ready to help around the clock. Zakimi Gusuku Castle is 30 km from The Kitchen Hostel Ao, while Katsuren Castle is 31 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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Tenpoint Hotel OKOULocated in Naha, Tenpoint Hotel OKOU provides 4-star accommodation with private terraces. Located around 3.4 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, the hotel with free WiFi is also 18 km away from Nakagusuku Castle. The property is 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach, and within 500 metres of the city centre. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Every room has a private bathroom with a bath, a hairdryer and slippers. The units will provide guests with a stovetop. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the hotel, while Zakimi Gusuku Castle is 28 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 6 km from Tenpoint Hotel OKOU.View on Booking.com
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Smart Condo TomariIdeally situated in the centre of Naha, Smart Condo Tomari features free WiFi throughout the property and a garden. Built in 2018, this 3-star hotel is within 1.9 km of Naminoue Beach and 3.5 km of Tamaudun Mausoleum. The rooms come with a balcony with a river view. At the hotel the rooms have air conditioning, a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, towels and a terrace with a city view. Smart Condo Tomari offers some units with sea views, and each room includes a coffee machine. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Nakagusuku Castle is 18 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Smart Condo Tomari.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Okinawa Island
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Parasailing and Marin activity experience in Sesoko IslandExplore the beautiful Sesoko Island near the Okinawa Churaumi AquariumView on Klook
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Iriomote Island Snorkeling at Coral Island+Magrove activityEnjoy Snorkeling at Coral Island and moreView on Klook
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SUP/Canoe Tour with A Spectacular Beach in Miyako IslandThe sea with outstanding transparency, Enjoy "Miyako Blue"!View on Klook
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Beach SUP/Canoe, Snorkeling and PumpkinLimestone Cave in MiyakojimaMiyakojima's most popular one-day planView on Klook
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Sunrise, Sunset, and Night SUP Canoe Experience in Miyako islandEmbark on an eco-friendly adventure with us, which our eco-tour is designed with sustainability in mind.View on Klook
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Kayak Experience in Yagaji IslandEnjoy the exciting Sea Kayak experience with a guideView on Klook
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Shuri Ryusen Coral Dyeing(Naha/Workshop)Use Okinawa's beautiful local coral as a dyeing tool for making your craftsView on Klook
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Blue Cave Snorkeling and Diving in OkinawaExplore the glowing wonders of the Blue Cave on a snorkeling or diving experienceView on Klook
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