Mt. Yonaha - Okinawa

If you like hiking and nature then the trail that leads to the top of Mt. Yonaha, Okinawa’s highest point at 502 meters (1,650 feet) is the place to go. The walk up to the summit is a brisk one hour climb and along the way you can bask in some of the most beautiful nature inland Okinawa has to offer.

Mt. Yonaha is considered to be a special protected area because of the many rare Okinawa species of flora and animals that can be found under the canopy of Ryukyu pine and sapanwood trees. Many of the animals that inhabit the forest on the slopes of Mt Yonaha have special protected status. If you are lucky on the hike up the mountain you may see a few of the following animals; the Prayer's Woodpecker, 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, Kuroiwa's Ground Gecko, Anderson's Alligator Newt, Ishikawa's Frog, Namie Frog, Great Nawab Butterfly, Orange Oakleaf Butterfly, and the Amami Woodcock just to name a few.

The hike up Mt. Yonaha is best done in Okinawa’s less-humid fall and winter seasons. Upon reaching the summit you will find two aluminum ladders that lean against trees, allowing a stunning panoramic view of northern Okinawa.

Directions: The entrance to the hiking trail is about six miles south of Highway 2. Signs directing to the trail head to the left of the Okuni-rindo