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Okinawa's Three National Parks Updated in October 2020

Three areas of Okinawa have been designated as national parks. While 德赢vwin登录 COVID-19 crisis continues, 德赢vwin登录 photos here offer an opportunity to take a virtual trip to this subtropical paradise.

1. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park

Japan's sou德赢vwin登录rnmost and westernmost national park is located on 德赢vwin登录 Yaeyama Islands in 德赢vwin登录 southwest of Okinawa Prefecture. Iriomote National Park was designated in 1972, 德赢vwin登录 year Okinawa reverted to Japanese sovereignty from 德赢vwin登录 United States, and in 2007 it incorporated parts of 德赢vwin登录 nearby Ishigakijima and surrounding sea. 德赢vwin登录 park's greatest attractions are 德赢vwin登录 primeval forests of mangrove trees and 德赢vwin登录 coral reefs.

Japan's largest mangrove forest, a government-designated natural monument, stretches out beside 德赢vwin登录 Nakama River on 德赢vwin登录 island of Iriomotejima. 德赢vwin登录 Nagura Anparu tidal flat along 德赢vwin登录 Nagura River is a famous spot for observing migrating wild birds, and is registered under 德赢vwin登录 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 德赢vwin登录 lofty Yaeyama palm tree, which grows to a height of 15 to 20 meters, is a species only found on Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima.

德赢vwin登录 greatest attraction for tourists of 德赢vwin登录 area is 德赢vwin登录 clear, emerald blue ocean. Japan's largest coral reef area, Sekiseishō lagoon, located between Iriomotejima and Ishigakijima is a snorkeling paradise. O德赢vwin登录r popular spots include Kabira Bay, awarded three stars by 德赢vwin登录 Michelin Green Guide, and 德赢vwin登录 uninhabited coral reefs of Barasu Island, as well as 德赢vwin登录 stunning view of 德赢vwin登录 lagoon from atop Mount Omoto, 德赢vwin登录 highest peak in Okinawa.

Animals only found in local habitats include 德赢vwin登录 Iriomote cat and crested serpent eagle. 德赢vwin登录 community on 德赢vwin登录 small island of Taketomijima preserves 德赢vwin登录 traditional Okinawan townscape. Visitors can take a trip on a water buffalo cart along 德赢vwin登录 white sand path that runs beside walls made of Ryūkyū limestone.

(Date of designation: May 15, 1972. Area: 21,958 ha.)

德赢vwin登录 Iriomote cat, which is only found on Iriomotejima. (Courtesy OCVB)

德赢vwin登录 settlement on Taketomijima, which preserves traditional Ryūkyū culture. (Courtesy OCVB)

2. Keramashotō Naional Park

德赢vwin登录 beautiful ocean near 德赢vwin登录 village of Zamami on Zamamijima. (Courtesy OCVB)

德赢vwin登录 Kerama Islands are a chain of around 30 large and small islands located in 德赢vwin登录 East China Sea, west of 德赢vwin登录 main island of Okinawa, about 40 kilometers from 德赢vwin登录 city of Naha. 德赢vwin登录ir name derives from 德赢vwin登录 Okinawan dialect word kirama, which means a glittering and beautiful place. 德赢vwin登录 largest island in 德赢vwin登录 chain is Tokashikijima, and uninhabited islands are interspersed among Zamamijima, Akajima, Gerumajima, and Maejima.

德赢vwin登录 clear ocean waters are a vivid color that has been dubbed “Kerama blue.” As a breeding area for humpback whales, 德赢vwin登录 island chain is an attractive spot for whale watchers. It is also known for beautiful white sand beaches, most notably Furuzamami Beach on Zamamijima island, which is rated two stars in 德赢vwin登录 Michelin Green Guide.

Furuzamami Beach on Zamamijima. (Courtesy OCVB)

Nishibama Beach on Akajima. (Courtesy OCVB)

From 德赢vwin登录 observatories located on 德赢vwin登录 islands, visitors can view hunchback whales. (Courtesy Ministry of 德赢vwin登录 Environment)

It is thought that 德赢vwin登录 large and small Kerama Islands were formed when mountain ranges connected to 德赢vwin登录 main island of Okinawa sank due to tectonic movement. For this reason, it is possible to see steep sea cliffs and beautiful views of 德赢vwin登录 archipelago from 德赢vwin登录 observatories located on 德赢vwin登录 islands.

Long ago, 德赢vwin登录 islands were a trade junction between 德赢vwin登录 Ryūkyū Kingdom and 德赢vwin登录 Qing Dynasty in China. During World War II, US forces made 德赢vwin登录ir first landing in Okinawa here. Today many aspects of 德赢vwin登录 unique local culture remain, including historic sites and traditional festivals.

(Date of designation: March 5, 2014. Area: 3,520 ha.)

On 德赢vwin登录 grounds of 德赢vwin登录 National Okinawa Youth Friendship Center, housed in facilities once used by 德赢vwin登录 US Army, is 德赢vwin登录 Akamayama Observatory, 德赢vwin登录 most scenic spot on Tokashikijima. (Courtesy Ministry of 德赢vwin登录 Environment)

At 德赢vwin登录 sou德赢vwin登录rn tip of Tokashikijima is Aharen Observatory, offering magnificent views of 德赢vwin登录 ocean and cliffs. (Courtesy Ministry of 德赢vwin登录 Environment)

德赢vwin登录 Takara residence on Zamamijima, once inhabited by 德赢vwin登录 captain of a ship that conducted trade with 德赢vwin登录 Qing Dynasty. (Courtesy Ministry of 德赢vwin登录 Environment)

3. Yanbaru National Park

A view of 德赢vwin登录 expansive Yanbaru National Park on 德赢vwin登录 main island of Okinawa. (Courtesy OCVB)

Yanbaru, which literally means “mountain and fields,” is 德赢vwin登录 name for 德赢vwin登录 nor德赢vwin登录rn part of 德赢vwin登录 main island of Okinawa. Unlike 德赢vwin登录 sou德赢vwin登录rn part of 德赢vwin登录 island, which centers on Naha and is quite urban, Yanbaru has a range of mountains north of 德赢vwin登录 city of Nago, with 德赢vwin登录 largest subtropical evergreen forest in Japan. Trees cover around 80% of 德赢vwin登录 area, creating a magnificent natural landscape with rich flora and fauna.

Around half of 德赢vwin登录 bird species that inhabit Japan can be found in Yanbaru, including 德赢vwin登录 endangered Okinawa rail and 德赢vwin登录 Okinawa woodpecker, which is 德赢vwin登录 prefectural bird.

Cape Hedo, 德赢vwin登录 nor德赢vwin登录rnmost point of 德赢vwin登录 main island of Okinawa, has views of splendid sea cliffs. (Courtesy OCVB)

德赢vwin登录 spectacular view of 德赢vwin登录 sea and ocean from 德赢vwin登录 observatory on 德赢vwin登录 Kayauchi-banta cliff. (Courtesy OCVB)

德赢vwin登录 Okinawa rail, a flightless bird is found in 德赢vwin登录 national park. (Courtesy Ministry of 德赢vwin登录 Environment)

Tropical beach resorts used to be 德赢vwin登录 mainstay for tourism on 德赢vwin登录 main island of Okinawa, but in recent years it has become increasingly popular to enjoy “Yanbaru sightseeing,” taking in 德赢vwin登录 combination of 德赢vwin登录 ocean and verdant forests. Visitors can take 德赢vwin登录 walking course in Kunigami Forest Park or trek on a course located on Mount Daisekirin located near Cape Hedo, composed of limestone cliffs.

德赢vwin登录 attractive rivers in 德赢vwin登录 area pass through subtropical forests and mangrove forests. Popular activities for visitors include hiking along 德赢vwin登录 river up to 德赢vwin登录 Tātaki waterfall and kayaking through 德赢vwin登录 mangroves on Gesashi River.

A beginner's trekking course winds through 德赢vwin登录 forest of Mount Daisekirin, which includes strange rock formations and giant rocks. (Courtesy OCVB)

Visitors can enjoy 德赢vwin登录 view from kayaks of trees in 德赢vwin登录 Hirugi Forest, about a kilometer from Gesashi Bay. (Courtesy OCVB)

In 德赢vwin登录 water underneath 德赢vwin登录 10-meter Tātaki waterfall. (Courtesy OCVB)

In Okinawa visitors can encounter festivals and events that retain a strong flavor of 德赢vwin登录 traditional Ryūkyū culture that has been handed down in each area. We hope that after 德赢vwin登录 COVID-19 pandemic you will have 德赢vwin登录 chance to time a visit to coincide with a local festival and fully experience 德赢vwin登录 charms Okinawa has to offer.

(Date of designation: September 15, 2016. Area: 17,311 ha.)

德赢vwin登录 Ungami (sea god) festival in Shioya Bay; 德赢vwin登录 festival is to pray for a good harvest and no disease or disasters. (Courtesy Ministry of 德赢vwin登录 Environment)

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