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Introduction to Yambaru
The mountain areas of Kunigami County in Northern Okinawa are generally referred to as Yambaru.
Kanji characters for "Yambaru" mean Yan(Mountain) - Baru(field), local people named this area because of its characteristics.
Geographic
Cape Hedo
The Okinawa Islands are in between 24N and 27N. Although deserts and savanna climates are common in this latitude, Okinawa is Subtropical in climate. A warm ocean current effects Okinawas climate. This current is known as the Kuroshio (Japan) current. Annual precipitation exceeds 3000 mm on Mt. Yonaha. These subtropical forests are not found anywhere else in Japan. There are about 100 various sized islands that were formed by the Earth's activity about 6,000 years ago. Yambaru only makes up 0.1 percent of Japans total land mass.
Topographic
Aha Waterfall
The Yambaru Mountain region spans the central part of Northern Okinawa. They span from Mt. Nishime in north, to Mt. Yonaha (the highest mountain in Okinawa at 503m), to Mt. Tamatuji in the south. Terrain is rugged with steep ravines cut into them. It contains many waterfalls and creeks. The landscape varies greatly from mountain to sea.
Plants and animals
There is a large variety in the forest provides a great habitat for many animals and insects. The Yambaru forest consists mostly of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved trees and plants. Yambaru has 1250 recorded plant species, 25% of all species found in all of Japan. 4 of Japans 12 endemic animal species are found here as well. Exceptions to the lush forest are the Asu-mori and some other nearby northern mountains, they contain mostly limestone.
Mt. Yonaha
Mt.Yonaha
Mt. Yonaha was initially registered as Nature Reserve, now it is registered as Special Protected Area.
There are many species that live in the Mt. Yonaha area. Some of these species are protected.
They are the Prayer's Woodpecker which is a special protected natural monument, Okinawa Rail, Ryukyu Robin, Japanese Wood Pigeon,
Spinous Country Rat, Ryukyu Long-tailed Giant Rat,
Ryukyu Black-breasted Leaf Turtle, Jambar Long-armed Scarab Beetle, are the national natural monuments,
Kuroiwa's Ground Gecko, Anderson's Alligator Newt, Ishikawa's Frog, Namie Frog,
Great Nawab Butterfly, Orange Oakleaf Butterfly, and the Amami Woodcock are the Okinawa prefecture's natural monuments.
Hiji waterfall
Hiji Waterfall
Hiji waterfall is a popular hiking and camping destination for outdoor enthusiasts. These falls are surrounded by dense forest. It is Okinawa mainland's highest waterfall at 26m. This waterfall also has the most water flow in Okinawa's mainland. The Hiji river starts in Mt. Yonaha far above the Hiji waterfalls. There is a 1.5km long hiking trail that follows along the river. These are other small creeks and narrow bridges to cross. It takes some extra effort in some spots, but it is a safe and easy trail for small children and seniors. On this trail it is easy to enjoy watching the seasonal changes in the forest plants and trees as well as bird watching. Some spend time watching for the occasional Woodpecker or listening for the elusive Okinawa Rail. The more rare sightings are the Akahige bird. Not just birds but also wild pigs are sometimes seen. You can learn how people in the past made their living in this area at some nice historical sites like where coal burning and forestry used to take place. There is also a campground located just downstream of the Hiji Waterfalls.
Coral reefs in Kunigami Okinawa
Warm ocean currents known as Kuroshio influence Kunigami's coral reefs and subtropical ocean climate. Kunigami's coral reefs are very diverse, there are more kinds of corals are found in Okinawa then the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. There are several lagoons of coral reefs that developed around the coastal area of Kunigami Village. These coastal areas are great places to go exploring tide pools.
Exploring Ino (Tide pool)
Coral Tide Pool (Ino)
Exploring tide pools are one of the best ways to study the environment of oceans and coastlines. When tide is down during "Ooshio", spring tide period, level of ocean gets to its lowest and coral reefs appear near the oceans surface and create tide pools of different sizes. These tide pools are like an aquarium in nature. Large fish eat crustaceans and even the coral itself, it is said that their waste creates white sand. Starfish, crabs, and shrimp eat dead creatures are often called "the cleaner of the ocean". There are many creatures that feed on coral, but in a natural eco system, corals can regenerate and are never destroyed without outside influences.
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