Yanbaru National Park, National park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kunigami District, Japan
Yanbaru National Park is a protected area in the northern part of Okinawa Island, covering the villages of Kunigami, Ōgimi, and Higashi, and also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is made up of dense evergreen forest that stays green throughout the year, along with hills, rivers, and a coastline.
The area was officially designated as a national park in 2016 to protect the nature of northern Okinawa. In 2021, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, confirming its international protected status.
The park is deeply tied to the traditions of local communities that have lived in this region for generations, using its forests, rivers, and coastlines for fishing and farming. Old legends speak of spirits dwelling in the trees and streams, which adds a layer of meaning to walks through the forest.
The park is in the northern part of Okinawa and is easiest to reach by car, as public transport connections in this area are limited. Those planning to walk the forest trails should bring sturdy shoes and enough water for the day.
Part of the park's territory was previously occupied by the US military, and there are plans to gradually return that land to nature and expand the protected area. Because there is almost no light pollution in northern Okinawa, the night sky above the park is very clear, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.
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