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 🙌🏻

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!

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.

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.

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.

September 22 at 5:30 PM: We tried Fun Kart Chatan. The owner was very friendly, and overall it was a pretty fun experience. However, I think the biggest variable in the itinerary was actually whether we made sure to understand the rules beforehand 😂 We even had to quickly change our time slot from the original 2:30 PM booking (we almost died from the heat). If you want to drive the mini jeeps yourself, you must remember to bring the required driver's license documents. Anyone without a license cannot drive, and the vehicles do not support two-person riding. If someone in your group does not have a license, we strongly recommend letting the shop know the exact headcount before booking and reserving the "tuk-tuk" option in advance. Try not to handle it last minute at the location so the itinerary goes much more smoothly. We booked the 5:30 PM sunset slot this time, and I thought the timing was great. It wasn't as hot, and the lighting and atmosphere along the way were wonderful. If I really had to give one piece of advice, I'd say this activity is better suited for a larger group of friends coming together. Driving, taking photos, and having fun together makes the whole atmosphere much livelier and enhances the overall experience. Overall, it was a pretty unique and thoroughly enjoyable Okinawa experience.