Higashi-son

Higashi is a village located in Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2016, the village has an estimated population of 1,683 and a population density of 21 persons per km². The total area is 81.79 km². Wikipedia.
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Featured guides

Top places to visit

1

Nakijin Castle Ruins

Mentioned on 
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Nakijin Castle Ruins is a famous place for cherry blossoms in Okinawa. This World Heritage Site features beautiful ruins of an ancient castle, and it is one of the best castles in Okinawa. The exterior of the castle is beautiful, and this is one of the best castles in Okinawa to take pictures because of its backdrop of pristine turquoise waters with historical ruins. The castle is also very spacious, which is perfect for taking pictures.
This beautiful world heritage sight is a place everyone should visit on Okinawa. The environment is very serene and the hilltop castle has amazing views of historical ruins with a backdrop of the pristine turquoise waters. If you have the opportunity to visit in February when the Sakura is blooming, you will have an even more picturesque view.
pawel puczko — Google review
As castles go this one's a little different but never the less impressive. The open space and views are awesome, and the walls are wider and longer than expected. The site has explanation signs in multiple languages including English, Chinese, and Korean. There is also a museum but depending on time it might not be possible. If you're part of a tour group don't expect to do both the museum and site. Overall it was a good experience though
Donovan Pearce — Google review
Castle ruins registered with UNESCO Heritage. Nice walk around the ruins but the Cicadas are noisy. Good view of the sea and it's very windy and cool now in October. Worth visiting and you can easily spend about 45mins there to enjoy the breeze and peace.
Steven Lim — Google review
600¥ for a nice walk through the ruins. There are a few signs with information here and there but mostly you just look at the scenery. Being here while the cherry blossoms are in bloom was definitely a highlight! Multiple parking lots in the area and shops with food and souvenirs next to the ticket counter (definitely check out the ceramics store!!).
Olivia Schneider — Google review
It was a nice place to visit but quite underwhelming unless you understand more of it's historical importance. We went on a cold day in December but they say the best time to visit is during Okinawa cherry blossom season. Make sure you go to the museum before you visit the walls to learn a little more about the history.
Elias Chelala — Google review
Definitely worth taking a bit of a drive to see! Especially during cherry blossom season. Cheap entry fee and there is food and drinks at the park. Prepare to walk a light distance for parking
Andrew Martin — Google review
Very nice walk and view, made friends with a cat. You can see a part of the castle without buying tickets. But in my opinion it's worth it to buy tickets and see the rest of the ruins.
Marthe Efftink — Google review
Good spot to go to during cherry blossom season. Not advisable to bring strollers if you have a little one due to uneven pavement. The site is beautiful, you can see the ocean from above too.
Danica C — Google review
Amazingly pretty! Beautifully preserved ruins. Prepare to walk around! Very spacious, absolutely perfect place to take pictures!
Timothy Curtis — Google review
Interesting to learn about how the castle was laid out. Very different from the castle in the European context. Definitely interesting to walk about to understand it's history. There is also a drink seller just outside the entrance to the ruins...it is a drink made of brown sugar, which you can try, and if interested, buy the whole bottle. We also bumped into an old lady who was picking berries off the trees in the area...the berries are edible, but you have to pick the red ones, which are sweet.
Daniel Lim — Google review
Way out of the way and off the beaten path but an excellent choice for a visit in the farther north of Okinawa. Depending on the time and weather you are likely to be the only ones on the grounds like we were and you get to experience them in the best setting. The ruins are expansive and with the historical signs quite interesting, walk around and imagine what a defensive stronghold the castle would have been. Sadly someone can always just open the backdoor.
Keaton Ambridge — Google review
A very beautiful historical site embedded in nature with many explanations which are available in english. It is easy to access from Motobu by bus. I was almost alone on the site during my visit. I walked in the forest back to Nakijin where there is a path leading to a watchtower ruin.
Ariel Gadbois Roy — Google review
World Heritage site of ancient Ryukyu Kingdom. It's one of the most preserved castle on the island. The view from the top is unmatched. There's also a little museum near by for additional history and background information. Gift shops and cafes also available here.
Jason Hung — Google review
If you love learning about history, this place is awesome. The views are beautiful and the staff are all very nice. The signs have English and Chinese translations under the Japanese, so you know what everything is.
Veronica Keagy — Google review
It is one of the attraction spot in Okinawa. The park is famous for Sakura and ruins of castle. The park also has few games and food stalls. The park usually have big space for parking and there is entry fees for the park.
Mohd yaqub Khan — Google review
This was beautiful. I was lucky enough to attend during the cherry blossoms. The food trucks had amazing options, the gift shops for so much fun to go through, very kid I feel so incredibly lucky that I was able to visit this incredible.
jenny Brea — Google review
Beautiful castle. Lots of food trucks and shops to get food and snacks. Don’t forget ice cream. The cherry blossom 🌸 trees are just starting to bloom. So the next week or few weeks from now the trees will be beautiful! Still beautiful now with the little flowers out. Just a beautiful place to see and walk through. The views are amazing! Would recommend this place.
Veronica Emsley — Google review
Phenomenal experience that was more mysterious than enlightening of the Three Kingdom Period. Absolutely beautiful during the Cherry Blossom blooming. Makes you wonder what it was like for the Ryukens of the time period.
Logan Innes — Google review
2

Higashi-son Fureai Hirugi Park

Mentioned on 
Park
Nature & Parks
Higashi-son Fureai Hirugi Park is situated along the picturesque Gesashi River, home to the largest mangrove community on Okinawa's main island. This park offers a delightful opportunity to stroll amidst the diverse mangrove species native to Okinawa, including Ojirugi, Yaeyamahirugi, and Mehirugi from the Hirugi family. It's a charming destination for nature enthusiasts seeking an immersive experience in this unique coastal ecosystem.
Higasi village fureai rhizophora park was a fun place to walk along the mangroves!
Rina Mitchell — Google review
3

Yanbaru National Park

Mentioned on 
National park
Outdoor Activities
The Yanbaru National Park is a lush wooded area situated in the midst of multiple nearby settlements and surrounding bodies of water. The park boasts stunning scenery, making it an ideal destination for group outings and nature enthusiasts. Hikers are encouraged to trek to the summit for breathtaking ocean views that are simply remarkable. This national park offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings, with several vantage points offering picturesque vistas of the sea.
Yanbaru National Park was one of the biggest reasons for us to visit the north part of Okinawa island. The park is amazing and we had a great time climbing the mountain area around the Yonaha mountain , the tallest mountain of the Okinawa main island. Little bit disappointing was that the top of the mountain doesn’t have any sign about reaching the absolute top and you can get easily confused whether you already climbed the top or not. Otherwise the place is so much fun and there are many things worth visiting in the National park other than Yonaha, for example famous waterfalls and others.
Sam Kap (Night) — Google review
Yanbaru National Park, or やんばる国立公園, unfolds as a pristine haven in the northern reaches of Okinawa, Japan. Distinguished by its lush subtropical forests and diverse ecosystems, the park is a nature lover's paradise. The dense canopy of Yanbaru shelters a myriad of plant and animal species, some of which are endemic to the region. The park's trails weave through captivating landscapes, offering hikers a chance to immerse themselves in the untamed beauty of the subtropical wilderness. Towering trees, vibrant flora, and the melodies of native birds create a symphony of nature that resonates throughout the park. Yanbaru's unique biodiversity, including the endangered Okinawa rail and Yambaru long-armed scarab beetle, showcases the importance of preserving this ecological gem. Visitors can embark on guided tours to gain insights into the delicate balance of this natural haven and the ongoing conservation efforts. For those seeking tranquility, the park's serene rivers and secluded beaches provide a peaceful retreat. However, accessibility may pose a challenge for some, as the park's remote location contributes to its pristine charm. In essence, Yanbaru National Park is a sanctuary where nature unfolds its wonders, making it a must-visit destination for anyone eager to explore the unspoiled beauty of Okinawa's northern landscapes.
ajleeblog — Google review
Very beautiful sea view
Zach Zheng — Google review
Beautiful National Park. Too bad the locations are separated and you have to drive to different portions of it to see it all.
David Skála — Google review
Short walk to a waterfall, not very impressive but it's okay if you have many days on the island and if you have a car. Otherwise don't bother.
Marco Andrade — Google review
This National Park covers plenty of territory in the northern part of Okinawa. It's best to go to the website and choose which attractions you'd like to visit. Most, in not all, are accessible by car and have parking areas, restrooms and great views, making it worthwhile for photography. There are some remote locations where a person could get lost, driving the backroads and Google Maps or any internet roadmaps, may not work due to losing cellphone tower access. A favorite of mine, is getting lost on the narrow roads going through mountains (high above major highways) in the north and from Oku to Ogimi. Travelers must be alert and careful not to roadkill any wildlife. One never stays lost for long, without spotting ocean on one or the other side of the island.
Michael Lynch — Google review
Fantastic park, bring some friends and enjoy a great time in nature with beautiful views!
Ryan De La Luz — Google review
Do track all the way to the peak to have enjoy the sea view.
Anthony Seah — Google review
Amazing views, great hiking, waterfalls and Daisekirinzan is not to be missed.
John H — Google review
4

Fukuji Dam

Mentioned on 
Weir
Nature & Parks
Dams
Went here to watch the sunset, very nice
Bar2 — Google review
Very serene place; if you’re driving up north or went to the azalea park then it’s well worth the trip
paul nichols — Google review
(Translated by Google) I stopped by during the touring around Okinawa. Access was easy as it climbed a small hill about 5 minutes from the coast. It was refreshing to see the largest dam lake in Okinawa from a small observatory. The office was closed because it was time for inspection, so I gave up the tour and the dam card. I will move on a tight schedule during touring, so I would like you to get a dam card even during the inspection time. (Original) 沖縄一周ツーリングの途中で立ち寄りました。 アクセスは海岸から5分ほど小高い丘にのぼるかんじで簡単でした。 小高い展望台から沖縄で最大の巨大なダム湖をみるのは爽快でした。 事務所は点検の時間なのか閉まってて見学とダムカードはあきらめました。 ツーリング中はタイトなスケジュールで移動するので点検の時間でもダムカードがもらえるようにしてほしいです。
mofmof master — Google review
(Translated by Google) The total water storage capacity is No. 1 among dams in Okinawa Prefecture! Also, Tsutsumi High seems to be No. 1🧐 The area around the dam is surrounded by mountains and is full of negative ions! ⛰️⛰️⛰️ It might be a good idea to visit with family and friends for a walk once in a while ^ ^🚶‍♂️ Fukuchi Dam is the main dam in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa, and it seems to be a multipurpose dam that secures water for water supply and industrial use, and also controls floods. The dam lake at Fukuchi Dam also collects water from Henoki Dam, Fukugawa Dam, Aba Dam, and Shinkawa Dam, and is said to be responsible for efficiently securing water resources🧐 (Original) 沖縄県内のダムの中で総貯水量がNo1! それから堤高もNo1らしい🧐 ダムの周辺は山々に囲まれていてマイナスイオン全開!⛰️⛰️⛰️ たまのお散歩で家族や友人と訪れるのも良いかも^ ^🚶‍♂️ 福地ダムは沖縄本島北部のメインダムで、上水道用水や工業用水の確保、それから洪水調節も行う多目的ダムらしい🧐 福地ダムのダム湖には、辺野喜ダム、普久川ダム、安波ダム、新川ダムの水も集められているようで、効率的に水資源の確保を担っているとのこと🧐
NoriT — Google review
(Translated by Google) Okinawa's water pots are in a difficult situation😭 Everyone, please save water. (Original) 沖縄の水釜が大変な状況😭 皆さん、節水お願いします。
O M — Google review
(Translated by Google) This dam has been selected as one of the top 100 dam lakes. There is a boarding point for nature observation boats that tour the dam lake. A parking lot and restrooms are provided. You can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the wonderful scenery. (Original) ダム湖百選に選ばれたダムです。 ダム湖を巡る自然観察船の乗場があります。 駐車場やトイレなどが整備されています。 のんびり散策して素晴らしい風景を楽しむことができます。
大桜もも — Google review
(Translated by Google) Fukuchi Dam was built in Okinawa. The type of dam is a gravity dam. The purpose of the dam is a multi-purpose dam that prevents floods. (Original) 沖縄に建設された福地ダムです。ダムの形式は、重力式ダムですね。ダムの目的は、洪水などを防ぐ多目的ダムです。
上田直之 — Google review
(Translated by Google) As of March 10, 2024 Fukuchi dam? Water storage rate is below 40% 😅 (Original) 2024年3月10日現在 福地ダム?貯水率は40%を切ってます😅
CBG Rider — Google review
(Translated by Google) There was nothing special, but there was a disabled toilet. After that, I took a walk in the nearby fields and mountains, and there was an azalea bark nearby, so I went for another walk. (Original) 特に何も無いですが、とりあえずバリアフリートイレありました。後は近くの野山散策して近くにツツジバーク有るので又散策
風minami — Google review
5

Nago Pineapple Park

Mentioned on 
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
Souvenir store
Nago Pineapple Park is a delightful theme park that focuses on the cultivation of pineapples. It offers tours and tastings to its visitors, along with a cafe and gift shop selling unique pineapple-related products. The park boasts stunning landscapes that provide fantastic photo opportunities for tourists. Additionally, it provides fun train and bus rides for children while offering wine-tasting sessions featuring delicious pineapple wines and treats for adults.
This theme park is small and quirky and yet I have to say we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. It was very clean and more of a botanical garden with a lot of cool pineapple themed shops and products than a real theme park. Kids will love the dinosaurs but my favorite parts were the gardens, winery and distillery. This is a great place to go if you’re looking to get outside for a couple hours to enjoy nature, but you want to minimize walking and stay mostly out of the sun. It’s probably not a place you need to visit twice, but I would recommend doing it one time.
Mike Crenshaw — Google review
It was a fun little adventure as the staff was nice and the plants are beautiful. You’re driven in self driving golf carts through the park. There are walking paths, a Dino park area, some shops. It’s fairly small so can spend maybe 3 hours tops if you really took your time. We went when it wasn’t busy and down poring rain. It worked out as most was covered.
Laura Wehunt — Google review
This place is a pretty good place to go on a sunny day. They take you on a tour of the many pineapples they have growing around the park, there’s an audio playing with some random pineapple facts in the background and some facts about the flowers they have. Cost ¥1200 per adult which is a little more than I’d say it’s worth, but it’s a good place for kids. They have gift shop areas where you can buy pineapple wine and different snacks they make out of pineapple. I just got the pineapple on a stick which was ¥300, it was pretty good. Also in the park they have a little area which is a “Dinosaur theme park”. They have animatronic dinosaurs and some you can put coin in and ride. Pretty cool place to check out but not the type of place you need to go more than once I’d say.
Mike T — Google review
Nago Pineapple Park, or ナゴパイナップルパーク, is a tropical delight in Okinawa, Japan. This vibrant attraction immerses visitors in the world of pineapples, offering educational exhibits, pineapple tastings, and picturesque fields to explore. The park's highlight is the pineapple-themed maze, providing both fun and challenge. Visitors can also enjoy pineapple-infused treats, from ice cream to local beverages. With its engaging activities and lush surroundings, Nago Pineapple Park is a flavorful experience for all ages, making it a must-visit for those seeking a sweet and entertaining adventure in Okinawa's tropical paradise.
ajleeblog — Google review
Love this place! Our first time here today and it was so cute! Friendly welcoming staff, beautiful scenery to look at, great photo opportunities, awesome gift shops, train and bus rides, pineapple wine and treats, etc. Great for children, and even my husband and I want to go back for a date day by ourselves to take our time looking at the scenery and do the wine tasting!
Tate Shea — Google review
This is a fun cheesy tourist destination with lots of cute photo ops. As this was my first visit I felt it was a good flow. I was told before it was not as organized but now there is a much better flow than there was before. You buy your ticket after parking and board the pineapple train from the parking lot. It takes you over to the main area while showing you around the park and where they grow the pineapples. There are paid photo opp here at the beginning that you can buy at the end. You can also just purchase the digital version. You then take a (max of) 4 person (you won't share with others you don't know, so if there is 2 of you, then 2 will be in one car) cart that auto drives you through more of the park (the inside portion). After you get out of the car it's a walk through of the park. There's a few things to see such as the butterfly area, restaurant where you can get some pineapple refreshments (we went with the massive pineapple shaved ice, would recommend as it's a great photo op... Like I felt it was Instagramable), dinosaur area, areas explaining plants and more. There's also a room with more photo ops. Near the end of the tour is the area where you can buy pineapple goods. With your ticket you have a chance to win items and even win your purchase. It's only at the first store though. The other store is more the drinks. They do have free samples so you can try them. They have a winery/liquor shop there as well. It's quite pretty the area that houses the alcohol. After you take the train back and get to your car. For me it was a lot of fun. They do play this one song repeatedly. So if you can't stand it, this may not be the place for you. I'm ok with repetition and it's oddly catchy, but it is their theme song, so I guess that was the point. The parking lot is pretty large so pretty easy. You can pay by card here.
Wai Chan — Google review
It's the rite of passage living in Okinawa. Ya know it's going to be touristy. Go once, enjoy! Kids will love it because it's just cute and cheesy and lots of cute photo spots! We had had our teen kids and they thought it was hilarious and fun! Be silly! Don't go as it's rainy since some things are outdoors. My kid bought a pineapple and I was surprised how less acidic it was compared to U.S. pineapples. English signs, everything was easy to navigate. Staff are very friendly
Yuuki AsunaYui — Google review
Fun place for little kids & big kids! We had a blast visiting here on our Okinawa trip. Learned a lot about pineapples, & had some tasty treats from the bakery. Great gift shop, & if pasteries aren't enough for you, they have a Winery & Distillery on the grounds!
Cher Couvillion Wilson — Google review
Pineapple ice cream was good. The winery is modern but the rest of the park is very average. It works okay for a rainy day but not a must visit attraction since it is very limited.
J Pele — Google review
Think of everything that you could possibly make out of pineapples, and you will still have not covered everything that they make a pineapples here. It is a very fun park and extremely child friendly. Still some specific things for adults like the pineapple winery. Extremely tasty pastries and baked goods and of course, fresh and delicious pineapple. If you come in the summer months, be sure to put on some sunscreen and probably even bring an extra shirt. A little warm outside.
Thomas Halvorson — Google review
My friend took me here randomly, and the one thing that stuck to my brain was the pineapple theme song that I kept humming for the rest of the day. It was interesting to see so many different sizes of pineapples and other plants around the globe. Love my time at the shop with all the pineapple wine, which I ended up trying quite a number of them and buying the bottles I like back home.
Luke L'sk — Google review
It's really cheesy but cute. They only take yen for the tickets so bring cash. You wait to take the shuttle from the parking lot to the entrance and then you wait again to ride the self driving cart around the park. Then you can walk around and explore the park which has a butterfly garden, dino park and lots of storefronts to buy all of their merchandise and food. They had lots of free tastings which was great but they really want you to buy their stuff so bring cash and be willing to spend a lot of money. 😅
Hannah Sholes — Google review
An excellent adventure, you'll experience all the wonders of Okinawan Pineapple growing and the subsequent delicacies in a theme park style atmosphere. The ride to the attraction is an event of its own on the pineapple train that tours the extensive pineapple farm. Once there, the bright colors and sweet scents keep you lured in as you travel through Jurrassic-Style wooden walkways surrounded by gorgeous foliage and flowing waterfalls. A great place (and photo opportunity) for all ages, even if your little ones have no interest in pineapples, they'll have a wonderful time. Ice cream and treats are available everywhere, vending near clean restrooms, and more pineapple flavored goods for purchase than you could have ever imagined. A newly added dino walk at the end of the walking route adds a little spice to the gorgeous landscape. A must-see tourist spot, for sure.
Jenn L — Google review
I am in my late 40s and I loved this place. I went in March with my husband and 12-year old. It is adorable and simply brings a smile to your face. We adore their theme song and sing it now, months later! The ride-on pineapple cart is brilliant. There are stunning flowers and lots of places to stop and pose for cute photos. Historical? Not much. Educational? Not really. But just cute, innocent fun. We will go here again if we return to Okinawa in the future. Be sure to buy some pineapple cake in the store - it's divine!
Stevie — Google review
It's a huge park themed after pineapples where you get to be a driven by a self driving cart. The objective being the promotion of local grown pineapples. It's a tad expensive for the experience (specially the shop prices were almost unreasonable) but a good place to go as a couple or as kids. They've spent a considerable amount of time designing and fitting each experience around the huge park to match the pineapple theme.
Shakar Bhattarai — Google review
I recently visited Nago Pineapple Park with my toddler and elementary school-aged child, and we had an amazing experience! This place is incredibly kid-friendly, offering a variety of activities that cater to children of all ages. One of the highlights of our visit was the delightful cart ride around the park. It was such a fun way to explore the surroundings and take in the beautiful scenery. Additionally, the park offers plenty of opportunities for leisurely walks, allowing us to enjoy the lush greenery and tropical atmosphere. The park also offers engaging activities for kids, including coloring stations and other hands-on experiences. My children particularly enjoyed these interactive activities, which provided a perfect balance of education and entertainment. One of the standout features of Nago Pineapple Park is its dinosaur exhibits. If your kids are dinosaur enthusiasts like mine, this place is an absolute must-visit! They were thrilled to see the lifelike dinosaur displays and learn more about these fascinating creatures. Overall, our visit to Nago Pineapple Park was a fantastic experience. It provided several hours of fun and entertainment for the kids, and we all left with smiles on our faces. I highly recommend this attraction to families looking for a memorable day out in Okinawa!
Buba Batmunkh — Google review
If the ticket price was 500yen instead of 1200. It would be better as there is nothing much interesting inside. They incorporated a dinosaur park inside too which i do not know the rationale for it. If you really have no where to go you can add this to your itinerary. But come at your own risk hahahah.. just to pass time it is ok lol
Louis (ahluu) — Google review
First up, not a pineapple farm tour. Eclectic mix of things on offer. Theme park with pineapple products, including pineapple wine tasting. Start with auto cart tour through plants and some very small pineapple plantings. Go along raised walkways with tropical plants, orchids, and a lovely area with butterflies. Odd addition of a dinosaur exhibit. Something for the kids and something for the adults.
Vicki Young — Google review
Everything is pineapple themed but there's only a few tiny real pineapple in the park. Others are just sculpture or merchandise. The souvenir shop is a bit pricey. The butterfly garden was the star of the park, unexpectedly. And some how there's a dino track inside. There is a pineapple all you can eat menu for 700yen but we had trouble communicating with the staff and didn't end up getting it.
Wing Sze Poon — Google review
Very interesting place for holiday. There are a lot of different pineapple and different plants. And the butterfly net house is beautiful with the big white butterfly flying around.
Samson Chio — Google review