- Table of Contents
Yanbaru: "Miracle Forest" in Okinawa
Okinawa Prefecture is a region with over 150 islands located at the southwestern tip of the Japanese archipelago. It's popular as one of Japan's leading resort areas because of its beautiful nature, including beaches and mangrove forests, and its warm climate year-round.
Yanbaru, in the northern part of Okinawa's main island, was registered as a Natural World Heritage Site (*) in July 2021.
Yanbaru is an area of subtropical evergreen forest that is home to many rare and endemic species. It's a place that can truly be called a "miracle forest," supporting the local civilization for about 570 years since the Ryukyu Kingdom era (1429-1879) while protecting this rare ecosystem.
*World Natural Heritage Sites: destinations certified by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations as cultural and natural sites that should be passed onto future generations as important assets to humanity.
Explore Yanbaru on an Eco-Tour!
The Okinawa rail is a bird species in the northern Okinawa prefecture.
The tour that allows you to explore this "miracle forest" is the World Natural Heritage Yanbaru Eco-Tour.
Guided by a local veteran guide on this tour, you will visit the habitat of the Okinawa rail, a bird symbolic of the "Miracle Forest," while exploring the forest following their calls and tracks. Furthermore, at the Yanbaru Kuina Ecological Exhibition and Learning Facility, you can observe the protected Okinawa rail up close and deepen your understanding of this rare ecosystem.
You can also learn about the history of forest protection and cultivation, which has continued since the Ryukyu Kingdom. Additionally, you'll discover the ecology of the plants and animals that live along the waterfront.
Tour Overview
Tour Name: Ecotour of a Natural World Heritage Site, Yanbaru
Conditions of Participation: Hotel guests
Price: Limited to 1 group per day, 2 people per group 40,000 yen (tax and 10% service charge included)
*Additional charge of 15,000 JPY for every extra person.
*Accomodation fee is not included.
*The price includes an "environmental cooperation fund" that promotes activities to preserve the natural environment in the local area.
*Guidance provided by a certified guide. We will arrange the course according to your wishes and physical strength.
HOSHINOYA Okinawa: Luxury Resort Hotel Overlooking the Sea
This eco-tour is exclusively for guests staying at HOSHINOYA Okinawa, a luxury resort hotel overlooking the ocean.
This is a resort hotel along the coastline, where you can enjoy lodging while overlooking the beautiful ocean and experiencing Okinawan culture.
The hotel architecture, another highlight, integrates elements of the Ryukyuan culture.
In 2023, it was awarded first place in Japan's hotel pool category at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific.
Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel: Holding an Exploration Tour of “Japan’s Last Unexplored Region”
Iriomote Island, Okinawa's second-largest remote island after the main island, is also registered as a World Natural Heritage Site.
At Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel, you can participate in the ''Iriomote Cat Track Discovery'' in ''Japan's last unexplored region,'' where a variety of creatures live.
With a local guide, you can learn about the ecology of the Iriomote cat, an endangered cat that lives on the island, and the island's ecosystem.
Tour Overview
Tour Name: Iriomote Cat Track Discovery
Price: 7,000 yen per person (tax included)
Conditions of Participation: Guests over 10 years old
Stay at HOSHINOYA Okinawa and Create Unforgettable Memories!
HOSHINOYA Okinawa's eco-tour is a valuable opportunity to experience a natural world heritage site that you'll want to preserve even 100 years from now. It's a great opportunity to make wonderful memories with your loved ones.
In addition to the eco-tours introduced this time, HOSHINOYA Okinawa offers tours and activities that allow you to fully enjoy the Okinawan atmosphere, such as Ryukyu Karate, a martial art that originated in Okinawa, and scuba diving. Be sure to check it out on the official website!
Make a reservation for HOSHINOYA Okinawa from the official website
