Things to do in Hija River

The absolute highlight of my Okinawa trip was this sunset kayak tour! I was feeling down because it rained for three days straight after arriving in Okinawa, but as soon as I got into the kayak, the rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared, and the sun came out :) I was truly happy watching the sunset. However, the water near the kayak launch area was incredibly murky before heading out to sea, which made me a bit hesitant to put my feet in (it felt like muddy water). Anyway, your shoes and clothes will definitely get wet, so be sure to bring flip-flops, and if you don't like getting your clothes wet, definitely bring a raincoat!!! I highly recommend kayaking on a nice day 🙌🏻

great experience, we were very late and they were ok with us arrive late, nice quick easy kayak around the river and the host took photos and sent it to us afterwards.

Love the kayak with guide Miku. He helped to take many beautiful photos for me & my son. It was an enjoyable activity. The sea fishing was also very fun. There were 5 groups on the boat, most of us managed to catch the fishes. Thank God we did not feel sea sick though it was very windy with occasional choppy waves. Highly recommend this activity if visiting Okinawa!

We had a very satisfying experience! 🥳 A big thank you to our canoe guide, Musashi-san, for patiently explaining how to paddle, introducing us to the mangrove ecosystem, the trees, and the unique mudskippers and small crabs of the Hija River. 🙇‍♀️ *A little tip: Remember to wear quick-drying shorts when you come here, otherwise you'll get wet!* We had booked the 11 AM activity. When we arrived early, the staff used English flashcards to remind us to bring towels and valuables (if you forget a towel, you can buy one for 400 yen). Afterward, he prepared slippers and paddles for us. We first learned how to paddle forward and in different directions together on the shore before getting into the canoe. We followed the guide throughout the entire journey, exploring the Hija River mangrove ecosystem. If we encountered any difficulties along the way, the guide was happy to help and answer our questions. 😉✨ We'd love to come back again! 🧡🙋🏻‍♀️ We also highly recommend this to other tourists.

The guide was very kind, and we could even ride out to the sea, which was absolutely amazing! However, if you're not in good physical shape, it might be a bit challenging. Haha.

The animal park isn't huge, but it's enough for about three hours of fun. You can get quite close to the animals; the lions are very white and large, and the anteaters were surprisingly active. There are feeding experiences available for sheep, capybaras, guinea pigs, rabbits, deer, bears, swans, pigeons, and fish. It was my first time feeding a bear! Next to it, there's a small science museum where you can play for a bit and enjoy the air conditioning.

We arrived at around 7.15 pm for the night illumination only. We purchased our tickets via Klook, and redemption at the ticketing office was quick and easy. The park was relatively quiet at night, which made the experience very relaxing and enjoyable. Wild ducks could be seen walking freely around the park, adding to the charm. There were many interesting light installations throughout the gardens. One of the highlights for us was the lotus pond, where the lighting moved in rhythm with the music, creating a very beautiful and immersive experience. We spent about one hour walking through the park and taking everything in. Parking is free, which is an added convenience. Overall, it is definitely a place worth visiting if you have extra time in your itinerary, especially for the night illumination experience.

if you’re interested in the past of Okinawa island and want to learn and enjoy about it and its traditions, you should visit Ryukyu Mura! It’s not like Disney or USJ for sure, but we had such a great time there, the staff is so friendly and welcoming

This was such a unique & fun experience that we will remember for forever. Our instructor was so knowledgeable & patient. He explained every step beforehand & walked us through the entire process. Now we get to go home with an amazing souvenir Absolutely recommend if you want a life-long experience & treasure.