Discover one of the world’s rare Blue Zones, where living a long and healthy life is not extraordinary but part of everyday life. In the serene landscapes of northern Okinawa, immerse yourself in the richness of mind and body woven from local food, human connections, nature, and tradition, and discover the secrets of Okinawa’s Blue Zone.
Explore northern Okinawa, known as “Yanbaru,” where Yanbaru National Park stretches across a land rich in history—from former villages to the former US military training range. Here, the land’s incredible vitality has created a mosaic of diverse environments, nurturing a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna that have evolved uniquely.
Yanbaru National Park was established on September 15, 2016, to protect this precious natural environment. Covering approximately 17,311 hectares of land—from the mountainous areas to parts of the east and west coasts—along with the surrounding marine areas, the park preserves a rich diversity of land and marine ecosystems.
On July 26, 2021, part of Yanbaru National Park was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, under the name “Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, Northern Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island.” This prestigious recognition highlights the area as “one of the most important and significant natural habitats for the conservation of biodiversity.”
Yanbaru’s natural richness is best seen in its extraordinary biodiversity. Okinawa Island boasts a higher proportion of endemic species—those found nowhere else in the world—than any other region in Japan. The Yanbaru area, in particular, is home to over 200 endemic species, including the Yanbaru Rail and the Okinawa Woodpecker, making it a sanctuary for countless rare plants and animals.
Okinawa is one of the world’s recognized Blue Zones.
A Blue Zone is an internationally recognized term for regions with a high proportion of long-lived healthy people. The concept was introduced in the U.S. bestseller The Blue Zones, which highlights five such regions worldwide—Okinawa being one of them.
The high number of centenarians in Okinawa can be attributed to three long-standing factors: diet, physical activity, and social and mental well-being.
In Okinawan food culture, food is called nuchigusui, or “medicine for life,” reflecting the belief that what we eat nurtures the body. Locally grown crops thrive in the island’s maritime climate, rich in minerals and packed with antioxidants to protect against strong sunlight. By regularly consuming tofu and pork, people can obtain high-quality protein even in old age, while seaweed and seafood frequently appear on the table. This tradition of preparing a wide variety of ingredients in a balanced way supports long-term health.
In terms of social and mental well-being, the spirit of trust and gratitude thrives in Okinawa through community-based practices such as Yuimaru— tradition of mutual help and community support—daily prayers to ancestors, and seasonal Shinto rituals.
In terms of physical activity, Okinawan elders naturally incorporate exercise into daily life. They gather regularly to socialize, sing, and dance, walk through the village, and shop at cooperative stores, all of which keep them active without structured workouts.
This way of life is supported by long-cultivated beliefs, customs, and traditions, as well as by the close-knit village environment. In particular, such traditional communities still remain in the ‘Yanbaru’ region of northern Okinawa Island.
Reference : やんばるホテル 南溟森室「The ESSENCE of BLUE ZONE」
A sacred place where the gods dwell. Sunlight filters through the trees, and only the sounds of water and wildlife can be heard. In Okinawa, it has long been believed that gods inhabit nature, and traditions of praying to fire and water deities have been passed down through generations. People visit these sacred sites to pray for household safety and good health.
In small villages, the spirit of mutual support remains strong. After work, people gather in the community to chat, share drinks, sing, and dance. This is the everyday scene of village life, where residents find a sense of purpose in the simple, ordinary moments.
Step into the forests of Yanbaru. Away from the noise of the city, you are surrounded by the lush greenery of subtropical trees. Wrapped in the fresh scent of the forest, the calls of birds, insects, and other forest inhabitants fill the air. As you pedal up a 400-meter elevation gain by bike, you’ll be astonished by the breathtaking view of vast UNESCO-listed natural heritage forest stretching out before you. In this environment, rarely experienced in everyday life, your senses will come alive.
Water springs from the Yanbaru mountains to sustain all life that thrives there. The spring water eventually forms rivers that flow into the villages, remaining an essential part of people’s daily lives even today. The rice harvested from paddy fields, the vegetables from the fields, and the local sake production are all gifts bestowed by Yanbaru’s water.
Return from the forests of Yanbaru to the villages. Nature, water, community, and prayers to the gods—there is nothing extraordinary here. What was once ordinary may now feel truly special. In Yanbaru, that sense of “ordinary” still lives on. Were you able to discover the secrets of the Blue Zone?
Tour Period
September to April
Time
9am to 1pm (approx. 4hours)
Distance
20 km by e-bike
Price
JPY77,900 per group (including tax)
A portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to support the conservation of the Yanbaru
region's World Natural Heritage site.
Included
Electiric bike, Helmet, Bike gloves
Nature guide, Local guide, English-speaking guide.
Optional
Pick-up and Drop-off Service, Meal, Other special requests
Group Size
2~4 pax
What to Bring
Long-sleeved shirts and long pants (recommended for forest trails), shoes
Water bottle, Sunglasses or Bike eyewear (if available)
Sunscreen, Bugspray
Important Notice
In case of bad weather, we will notify you of the tour status via the email address provided at booking.
Language availability: English and Japanese
Register here to join this tour.
Please sign up using the link below.
