【Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa】
Book Now
This score and word-of-mouth content are provided to Google,
Posted as a summary of Goole ratings and reviews
STORY - Jan. 2022
Our concept is LOVE OKINAWA DISCOVER YAMBARU
Activities to Experience the Air of Yambaru
Yambaru, an area spread out on the northern end of Okinawa Island, is rich in nature and has recently been designated as a Natural World Heritage Site. In the forest lined with subtropical broadleaf forests, there are clean water sources which create small mountain streams that flow into delightful waterfalls. Flora and fauna are abundant and many of them are protected species. Okinawa is well-known for the beautiful blue ocean which surrounds it, but its other attraction is the lush nature of Yambaru which can only be experienced here. I wanted to experience Yambaru. And so I took an adventure tour with Doki Doki Yambarunture hoping my wish would come true.
The Yambaru forest can be explored and enjoyed from Matayoshi Coffee Farm in Higashi Village located in the northeastern part of Okinawa. Ziplining, buggy tours and nature trekking are available activities.
The zipline was originally developed as a means of transportation across a valley. There are a total of five crossings stretched across valleys in the forest and you can experience the exhilaration of sliding down and accross on a wire rope with a pulley. Having been given all possible safety measures, there is no need for worry. And though you may be frightened at first you will soon get used to it and will be able to let go and enjoy the thrill of the high places. Most of all, you will be able to see plants unique to Yambaru such as flying spider-monkey trees and giant ferns. The real pleasure of the zipline is being able to see and appreciate the spectacular green forest.
The buggy tour is riding on a four-wheel buggy going over rough roads through farms and forests. It is popular because it is safe enough for adults to ride together with their children. As you take in the air of Yambaru, the speed may make you feel like you are drunk. And if you are the adventurous type, you will feel like a kid again.
Nature trekking is walking through the woods with a guide and being able to directly experience the nature of Yambaru. On the trails you will encounter plants unique to Yambaru. During this valuable time you can focus on the interwoven life of the forest and you might see such things as the discarded shell of a large cicada or a tree-climbing lizard. You can walk in small mountain streams with your family and listen to the sounds of nature. This is a special time that you will never encounter in the city.
At first glance, the forest of Yambaru seems to be pristine and untouched, but the invasion of introduced species cannot be overlooked. During the tour, you will learn about the threats to natural vegetation such as Mikania (climbing hemp vine) and Sphagneticola trifoliate (trailing daisy), and you will have the opportunity to contribute to the good health of the forest by removing them. The true value of nature trekking is to recognize some of the problems that Yambaru faces as a Natural World Heritage Site, and to become more aware of sustainability for the future of our world.
Mr. Fusayoshi Kimura, a representative of Okinawa Doki Doki Tours which runs Doki Doki Yambarunture, made the following statement:
"We hope that you will remember your childhood and have a curiousity about many things. If you are interested in something, you will find out about it and learn about it and eventually that will lead you to place value on and promote protection of the forest. We, as guides, desire to introduce the forest to our guests while at the same time being conscientious in our care of the forest."
By the way, you can enjoy Doki Doki Yambarunture activities even on the premises of Oriental Hotel Okinawa. Using the same kind of buggy that I enjoyed in Higashimura, I got to feed goats along the way. If the timing is right, you can play with a newborn goat. You can also ride a big SUP through Yambaru-like vegetation on the stream beside the hotel. It is a great time to spend with your family because the guide explains everything carefully and you feel safe so close to the hotel. After that, a cycling tour around the neighborhood of the hotel to see more of Yambara can be planned. If you include an early morning hammock yoga session, the fun during your stay will seem endless.
The concept LOVE OKINAWA DISCOVER YAMBARU is strongly promoted by Oriental Hotel Okinawa and is the link for cooperation between the hotel and Doki Doki Yambarunture.
"The Oriental Hotel Okinawa concept LOVE OKINAWA DISCOVER YAMBARU resonates with me especially in terms of connecting with the forest. We started with activities at the hotel and it led to a greater interest in the forest. Until now, people have focused mostly on Okinawa's beautiful ocean, but I would like to create opportunities to let people know about the beauty of the forest as well. As we introduce on-the-premises activities for enjoyment, we hope that even small children will develop an interest in what goes on from the perspective of a hotel. This would be one of the goals of providing tours. We aim to create memories that will impact your heart not just your mind." (Okinawa Doki Doki Tours Representative / Fusayoshi Kimura)
"I would like you to experience LOVE OKINAWA DISCOVER YAMBARU just as it is in the way of enjoying Okinawa and being moved by the Yambaru forest as though it were a familiar place for you. But I would also like you to develop a perspective of the importance of protecting the environment and at the same time, know the risk of harming it while encountering it. Tour guides will explain native and invasive species. We asked Mr. Kimura to include the opportunity to help remove invasive species as part of the tour. Another thing I care about is the feeling of being able to return to my childhood. The attraction of Okinawa lies in its relationship of people with nature. The exciting feeling you have when you come across something you've never experienced before is something I would like to continue to promote." (Oriental Hotel Okinawa / Naohiro Yamaguchi)
As we think about the comments above, we can catch a glimpse of a future that connects services to Yambaru forest. I think we can have high expectations of the development of activities that will not only allow enjoyment of the forest but will also promote kindness and generosity towards the forest.
We are offering adventures for you to experience nature while enjoying the forest of Yambaru. Our buggy tours, ziplines, and nature trekking all give opportunities to learn about the nature and culture of Okinawa while participating in social responsibility activities like removing invasive species. We have 3 locations for you to choose from: Higashi Village in the northern part of Okinawa, Yomitan Village in the central part, and Itoman City in the south.
