On the northern coast of Okinawa Island is a beautiful subtropical forest called Yanbaru. It is sometimes referred to as “The Galapagos of the Orient” for the richness and diversity of both plant and animal species endemic to the area. Some, like a type of frog and scarab beetle, are found nowhere else in the world.
Beautiful Yanbaru Mangrove Forest (photo: Ippei & Janine Naoi/flickr)
Yambaru has an annual average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and the subtropical climate of Yanbaru Forest fosters a rich variety of more than 1,200 species of flora, including the evergreen Okinawa Chestnut, the small-leafed Banyan tree, and a tree-like fern. The forest is also home to more than 3,700 species of fauna. Many of these species can be found only in this forest including the Okinawa Rail which is a classic image of the area. It is an almost flightless bird that has a striped chest and a bright red beak and eyes. The Noguchigera is a special variety of woodpecker that is also native to the region.
Yanbaru Kuina やんばるくいな Okinawa Rail Bird
Many visitors to the area participate in eco-tours, which are increasingly popular in Yanbaru. Not only are there guided walking tours of the forest, but there are canoe and sea kayak tours of the mangrove forest.
Yanbaru Mangrove Forest Kayaking (photo: Ippei & Janine Naoi/flickr)
The forest is on the highest peak in Okinawa, about 530 meters (over 1700 feet). It is often covered in mist, giving it a mysterious atmosphere.
Yanbaru Forest is about 2 1/2 hours from Naha by expressway. Higashi Village at the delta of the Gesahi River is a starting point for many tours of the area.
