Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

Okinawa Hip Hop Bus Tour: Okinawa Rail Ecology Center, Daisekirinzan & Yambaru National Park

On a bus tour, discover the Okinawa villages of Kunigami, Higashi, and Ogimi. Enjoy lunch, a guided mangrove exploration, a nature hike, and more.

Highlights

Let a comfortable bus carry you away to the abundant nature of northern Okinawa. Plug into a multilingual audio guide to learn about the tour sights.
In Higashi, a Japanese-speaking nature guide will lead you through Okinawa main island’s largest mangrove forest, a gem for ecotourism lovers.
Kunigami welcomes you with a delicious seafood meal, insta-worthy views from Cape Hedo, and a hike through the beautiful power spot of Daisekirinzan.
The Okinawa Rail Ecology Center brings you face-to-face with an elusive bird, while Ogimi’s new dome theater takes you on a virtual tour of Yambaru.
Fun fact: The tour will send you home with gifts of local specialty products. Can you guess what they might be?

Inclusions

Round-trip bus transfers
Tour conductor
Japanese-speaking nature guide at Gesashi Mangrove Park
Entry to Yambaru Forest Visitor Center
Entry to Daisekirinzan
Entry to Okinawa Rail Ecology Center
Lunch
Multilingual automatic audio guide
Earphones
Gifts (local specialty products)

Exclusions

Bus guide
Lunch for children aged 2 and under
Personal expenses

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Your experience

Discover Northern Okinawa’s natural treasures

Made up of 3 villages, Okinawa’s northern region, locally known as Yambaru, is well-known for its abundance of forested hills and endemic wildlife. Embark on a bus tour to discover this slice of nature accompanied by a tour conductor and a multilingual automatic audio guide. First up is a stroll through Gesashi Mangrove Park, led by a Japanese-speaking local nature guide, who will help you understand the region’s ecology and wildlife. As the early morning exploration whets your appetite, a set meal of sashimi platter and fried local fish awaits at Kunigami Village.

Coastal views, nature walks, and rare wildlife encounters

After lunch, the tour heads to Cape Hedo, a spot that offers magnificent ocean views. On clear days, the distant Yoron Island becomes visible, providing a wonderful photo opportunity. Next up is Daisekirinzan, a region of Yambaru National Park easily identified by its jagged limestone cliffs. Considered a sacred place since ancient times, Daisekirinzan is also a famous power spot where you can feel in tune with nature. There are 4 hiking paths to choose from, one of them being an easy, barrier-free walk. You will see some rare subtropical plants and peculiar boulders that are not seen elsewhere.

The Okinawa Rail Ecology Center offers a chance to meet and learn all about the elusive Okinawa Railbird. The tour concludes at the Yambaru Forest Visitor Center in Ogimi village. It features a 360-degree dome-shaped screen that introduces you to the different places of Yambaru. As a parting gift, each guest receives a local specialty product, a tangible memory of the journey.

Itinerary

7:30am / 7:40am / 7:55am - Departure from the chosen boarding point
Gesashi Mangrove Park, stay about 50 minutes
Fisherman’s Dining in Kunigami Village (lunch), stay about 50 minutes
Cape Hedo, stay about 30 minutes
Daisekirinzan, stay about 60 minutes
Okinawa Rail Ecology Center, stay about 30 minutes
Yambaru Forest Visitor Center/Dome Theater, stay about 40 minutes
6pm / 6:15pm / 6:25pm - Arrival at drop-off point

Know before you go

What to bring

It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
Please bring a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and a camera.

Accessibility

This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

The lunch stop includes a set meal of a sashimi platter and fried local fish. Kids' meal is provided for ages 3 to 5. Please inform in advance if you cannot eat raw fish or fried fish.
On the day of the tour, you will be picked up by a large, red bus with the car number “1981”. Depending on the number of participants, the tour may be conducted in a mini bus.
Large luggage like suitcases and baby strollers can be stored in the trunk of the bus.
Infants must be seated on laps.
Depending on weather and road conditions, the order of the sightseeing spots might change. Operation of the tour may be suspended if deemed difficult due to extreme external factors. In this case, you have the option to get a refund or reschedule the tour.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Pick-Up Points

This ticket includes pickups and drop-offs.
On the day of your tour, please report at your specified location 10-15 min prior to your scheduled departure.

Kenmin Hiroba (Prefectural Office)