Feel the Energy of Nature! - Yambaru Eco Trekking Tour
The World Natural Heritage Site, Yambaru, occupies only 0.1% of the Japanese land, but 1/4 of the entire species in Japan inhabit!
Most of them are endemic species that adapted to the unique subtropical environment isolated from the Eurasia continent and mainland Japan.
By trekking in the forest with a nature guide who has an experience as a local science teacher, you can notice the unique features of the forest that you can't realize when walking on your own!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Yuiyui Kunigami or Yambaru manabi no mori
Yuiyui Kunigami or Yambaru manabi no mori
Confirm important rules and clean the bottom of the shoes
Eco Trekking Tour
Walk a trail or a forestry road to observe unique flora and fauna
Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center or Kuina's Forest
Learn about the present situation of Yambaru forest
Ending Point
Yuiyui Kunigami or Yambaru manabi no mori
Want to personalize this tour?
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/33841/116852.jpg)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
Transportation fee (you and guide), Entrance fee
Tour Important Information
By eco-trekking with a knowledgeable nature guide, you can notice the unique features of Yambaru forest, such as vegetation, small animals, and traces of endemic animals. If you are lucky, you can see endangered species, Yambaru kuina.
Entrance Fee: Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center ¥0, Kuina's Forest ¥700,
Important message from the supplier
In addition to day trips, I can also be your guide for several days in Okinawa and other parts of Japan. If you are interested, please let me know via message.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Harry M.
Looking for a guide who truly knows Okinawa?
With 15 years of experience in the field of science education in both Okinawa and Hawaiʻi, I now work as a guide-interpreter and edutainer (educator + entertainer) based in Okinawa.
I use my educational background to create unique, engaging tours that help participants discover something new about Okinawa’s breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
From exploring Okinawa’s diverse ecosystems, both on land and in the sea, to experiencing the traditions of Karate and the enchanting sounds of Okinawan Sanshin music, I’m passionate about sharing the best of Okinawa with you.
If you’re ready for a tour that’s not only unforgettable but also filled with learning and discovery, let’s embark on this journey together!
(I also offer guided tours of the Mt. Fuji area, my hometown. Additional transportation fees apply.)
Guiding Fee (For up to 10 people):
- 4 hours: ¥30,000
- 6 hours: ¥35,000
- 8 hours: ¥40,000
Guiding with Car Transportation (For up to 3 people):
- Extra ¥10,000 (Includes gas, parking, and expressway fees)
Reviews
Alton O.
“Best tour ever.”
I am serious -Harry-San is the best. We have had many drivers. Harry stands out as the best. He is extremely knowledgable and very accommodating. He goes out of his way to ensure a fun and productive day. For example, we wanted to visit a known secluded beach to find shells and sea glass. He did not initially know where it was so he took the initiative to find it the day before to ensure he could find it on the day of our tour and to give us pointers. In fact, because of his scouting of the secluded beach he found an adjacent beach that was even better. In addition, we found Harry to be fun, honest, and personable. We would definite hire him again. Thank you Harry.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/33841/116852.jpg)
Harry M.
Dear Alton-san, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure spending the day with you two. I’m glad the extra scouting helped make the visit to the beaches even more enjoyable. And thank YOU for helping me discover such a hidden gem. It was a pleasure guiding you, and I truly appreciate your kind words. I would be thrilled to host you again! Thank you for choosing me as your guide in Okinawa. Warmest regards, Harry
Aran H.
“Aloha to the Max!”
Harry was an awesome guide since we landed. He was very flexible in what can be done as we hired him for 2 days. We enjoyed his knowledge and company so much we hired him another 2 days to show us around for total of 4 days. His English is very good as he lived in Hawaii for 3 years as a teacher, teaching High-school and College students. He teaches many subjects, but his specialty is chemistry which is cool, so he understands a lot about Geology as well and is able to explain many other aspects of Okinawa, not just history. We were able to visit the Okinawan archives and find out more about our family's genealogy. We found out we were Pechin Okinawan Samurai warrior family. Which was really cool as there were also historical documents about my Great Grandfather and his immigration back in the 1917. Harry would take us to local Okinawan restaurants which were incredibly delicious. And as a big treat we visited Ogimi village, which is a Blue Zone village that has the most centennials in the world. And we ate at Emi No Mise which serves the traditional Okinawan food that they eat to live a long long life. We visited Shuri Castle which was a treat and to me the best part is he took us to the Himeyuri Peace memorial where it honor the high-school girls who were nurses that tried to help during the Battle of Okinawa. It's such a solemn and sober feeling as more than half died during the war. Powerful monument. I truly appreciated understanding what happened. Harry is very knowledgeable and patient, very patient because he is a teacher as well and still teaches students. I appreciated him very much because my parents are in their 80s and move and think slower, hard of hearing too. And Harry understood. He is a good person, solid! Highly Recommend! A Kind person. I took both my parents and we really enjoyed ourselves Sincerely and Aloha, Aran Higa from Hawaii
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/33841/116852.jpg)
Harry M.
Dear Aran-san, Thank you so much for your heartfelt review and for allowing me to guide you and your wonderful parents during your genealogy tour, Battle of Okinawa tour, and the Yambaru “Blue Zone” tour. I truly appreciate your family’s warm participation throughout all four days. I also learned a great deal from you—about Hawaiʻi, about Hawaiʻi Uchinanchu history, and about your and your family’s unique background. I truly admired how creative you are, and hearing your parents’ stories as lifelong educators was significant to me, as I was also a teacher. Our conversations were one of the highlights of the tour. Watching the three of you discover detailed records at the Okinawa Prefectural Library, and then visiting your ancestral village together—ending with that unforgettable view from the lookout—was a deeply moving moment. It felt like a powerful symbol of the long, proud journey of Hawaiʻi’s Okinawans. Mahalo for letting me be a small part of your family’s story. After we parted, I found myself wondering whether your monorail ride and drive to Churaumi Aquarium went smoothly. I hope the remainder of your trip was safe, comfortable, and filled with good memories. Please take good care, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again someday soon. Aloha and mahalo nui loa. Warmest regards, Harry
Joy G.
“Wonderful experience ”
Harry provided a wonderful experience on this tour. He is a wealth of information on the history of not only the castle but also of general things in Okinawa. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour and would not hesitate to book with him again should I ever find myself in Okinawa again. Mahalo nui loa Harry !
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/33841/116852.jpg)
Harry M.
Dear Joy-san, Mahalo nui loa for your kind review, and thank you very much for joining my tour here in Okinawa. I truly enjoyed spending time with you and sharing some of the less touristy spots—places where you can really feel the “real” Okinawa atmosphere. If you revisit Okinawa, let's hike through the Yambaru “broccoli” forest! Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime if you have questions about Okinawa or even Mainland Japan. I’m always happy to help. Wishing you all the best, and I hope our paths cross again someday. Warmest regards, Harry
$225/ per group
More tours by Harry M.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7550/117642.jpg)
Tracing the Front Line! - WWII Battle of Okinawa Tour
The Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest ground warfare in WWII. When U.S. troops landed on Okinawa island on April 1, 1945, there was little counterattack contrary to their expectations. This was because the Japanese strategy was to build strong underground positions in the southern part of the island and turn the fight into an endurance contest. From this day, the 3 months of fierce battles embroiling citizens began. In this tour, we will trace the front line of the battle in 2 days.
Tracing the Front Line! - WWII Battle of Okinawa Tour
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7509/117287.jpg)
Deep Dive to Okinawa! - Edutainment Tour
If you want to make your trip more fruitful than just suntanning at the beach, let's learn about the Okinawan unique culture, history, and nature. After grasping the basic information about Okinawa at a museum, I will take you to authentic historical/cultural assets where you can have a unique and unforgettable experience.
Deep Dive to Okinawa! - Edutainment Tour
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/8679/129641.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/120722.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/120726.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/120725.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/120724.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/120723.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/121625.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/121626.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/121613.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/7549/121627.jpg)