We ask for your understanding and cooperation for the environmental conservation funds. 58

Covered in spreading rich green subtropical forest, the northern part of 70 's main island is called“.” Ferns and the broccoli-like 58 Itaji trees grow in abundance, and the moisture that wells up in between Kunigami Village Higashi Convenience Store (FamilyMart) Hentona Okinawa them forms clear streams that enrich the hilly land as they make their way Ie Island Ogimi Village towards the ocean. The rich forest is home to a number of animals that Kouri Island Prefecture cannot be found anywhere else on the planet, including natural monu- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Higashi Nakijin Village ments and endemic species such as the endangered , the (Ocean Expo Park) Genka Shioya Bay Village 9 Takae Okinawan Woodpecker and the Yanbaru Long-Armed Scarab Beetle, Minna Island Yagaji Island 331 Motobu Town 58 Taira making it a cradle of precious flora and fauna. 70 Miyagi Senaga Island Kawata Village With its endless and diverse vegetation, Yanbaru was selected as a 14 Arume Gesashi proposed world natural heritage site in December 2013. City Living alongside this nature, the people of Yanbaru formed little settle- 58 331 ments hugging the coastline. It is said that in days gone by, lumber cut Kyoda I.C. 329 from the forest was passed from settlement to settlement, and carried to Shurijo Castle. Living together with the natural blessings from agriculture Futami Iriguchi Cape Manza and fishing, people's prayers are carried forward to the future even today Ginoza I.C. ★Genka Course (West Coast) in the form of traditional ceremonies performed as supplication to the Onna Village Ginoza From City, head north in the direction of Kin I.C. 329 Village mountains and oceans for bountiful harvests. Kyoda in Nago City on either National Route Yaka I.C. Kin Town 58 or on the Okinawa Expressway (toll road). Cape Zanpa GUIDE Turn right at Nago Genka, and take Prefectural Objective Ishikawa I.C. Village Ikei Island Route 14 over the mountains for roughly 8km Proper preservation of the natural environ- 58 329 City to arrive at Arume in Higashi Village. While ment of lush green forests and sources of Miyagi Island passing over the mountains, you can see the clear and abundant water that are the shared Okinawa City Enjoy Pacific Ocean and Arume Bay on your way and valuable assets of the villagers, and the Okinawa-kita I.C. Henza Island down. passing on of the same to the next generation Kaichu-doro Road Higashi Village! Okinawa-minami I.C. in a good state. ★Ogimi Course (West Coast) Targets Chatan Town Hamahiga Island Go past Genka heading even further north to Participants of the Gesashi River Mangrove Ginowan City Kitanakagusuku I.C. Hentona and you will see a convenience store Kayak Tours and Mangrove Viewing Tours, Urasoe City 329 (FamilyMart) on your right. Turn right roughly schools visiting the Mangrove Park for outdoor Tsuken Island Nishihara I.C. 100m past the convenience store just in front learning, and travel companies making use of 58 of Miyagi Bridge, and follow Prefectural Route the Mangrove Park. Nishihara JCT. Naha I.C. 9 and National Route 331 for roughly 8km to Amount Naha Haebaru-kita I.C. arrive at Taira in Higashi Village. Generally ¥50 per person Airport Tomigusuku I.C. Donation location Makabi I.C. ★East Coast Course (Futami Course) Donation box at Higashi Village Tourism Pro- Head north on National Route 329 along the motion Association Gesashi Office (inside the eastern coastline (Pacific Ocean side), before Higashi Village Mangrove Park) turning right at Nago Futami Entrance and Use heading further north on National Route 331 to Put towards funds for measures for Higashi Village environmental preservation arrive at Higashi Village. Examples of specific initiatives * Fixed monthly cleaning in order to preserve and manage fields. 91 km and roughly 100 minutes from Naha City. * Planting of a green belt in order to prevent red-clay runoff.

Higashi Village Green Belt Planting Activity - Environmental Education Program -

In recent years, the influx of red clay is a primary factor causing a stir with respect to the survival of the coral reefs that form Okinawa's beautiful oceans. Red clay is the reddish-brown clay with fine particles seen in the northern sections of Okinawa's main island. In Okinawa, strong but temporary rains unique to the subtropics fall, and every time they do, this red clay is washed from the surface of the land and is carried along Higashi Village’s Mascot Pine Man No. 1 waterways and rivers to the ocean. Incorporated NPO Higashi Village Tourism Promotion Council Once in the ocean, the red clay causes great damage to the coral. While the red clay itself is not toxic, it's highly fine particles tend not to precipi- 471-24 Taira, Higashi Village, Kunigami District, tate after being mixed with water, making it remain cloudy for a long TEL: 0980-51-2655 FAX: 0980-51-2656 time. When this happens, sunlight after the rain is obstructed, which in turn impairs the photosynthesis function of the coral, which can then die from malnutrition. Direct covering by red clay also causes tremendous http://www.higashi-kanko.jp shock to the coral. Higashi Village’s Mascot In the interests of both agriculture and environment protection, a Nogpar village-wide initiative is underway with a green belt (vetivar) being planted Higashi Village Tourism Promotion Council Search in the area around farm fields in order to prevent red clay runoff even a little. Please help us protect our coral oceans. * All photographs in this leaflet are for illustrative purposes.

Opened in 2015 Fukujigawa Seaside Park A beach in a quiet location of Higashi Village, Yanbaru. You can swim, enjoy various activities and have a barbeque.

Reservation Required

Enjoy canoeing in Gesashi’s mangrove forest,

the biggest of its kind on the main island of Okinawa! Banana Boat and Mable Towable Snorkeling Tour Banana Boat 10 minutes: ￥2,200 (6 years or above) 1 hour: ￥5,000 (6 years or above) Gesashi, Higashi Village / Observation free of charge / 20 spaces / Mable Towable 10 minutes: ￥2,200 (6 years or above) Higashi Village Mangrove Park Combination play equipment, gate ball field, observation deck, walking path, running water, restroom SUP Lesson Tour The mangroves in Gesashi Bay are the most extensive on the main island of Okina- 1 hour: ￥5,000 (6 years or above) wa, and the area has been designated a national protected habitat due to three of Gesashi River Mangrove the four species of mangrove seen on the island being present, and also being the Canoe Tour Reservation Required northernmost limit for the Yaeyama Mangrove. ●1 hr. 30 min. to 2 hr. course: The downstream areas are the Higashi Village Mangrove Park, where you can see One adult from 4,000 yen (including tax)～ the mangroves and fauna such as the Mudskipper and Hakusen Fiddler Crab from ●2 hr. 30 min. to 3 hr. course: Beginner’s Diving Tour Sea Kayak Tour the walkways, and also enjoy canoeing on the river. 1 hour: ￥4,000 (6 years or above) One adult from 6,000 yen (including tax)～ 2 hours: ￥12,600 (12 years or above) Prices, required time, and activity content may differ depending on the shop. Please confirm with the General Information Center or the shop. Please ask us about our varieties of plans! You can go Canoeing Here! BBQ Group Plan Okinawa Tour Boukentai Forest Higashi Higashi Village Mangrove Park ☎ 080-1726-5417 ☎ 070-5485-9543 (1) Gazebo BBQ House: ¥3,500 General Information Center 498 Taira, Higashi Village 498 Taira, Higashi Village (2) BBQ Equipment ¥4,700 Reservations for canoeing may be made at http://ameblo.jp/boochan501218/ (3) BBQ ingredients the General Information Center. Feel free to (¥1,050 to ¥1,950 per person) Fiddler Crab make an enquiry. Eco Tour Puka Amandmn *You can rent gas and griddles ☎ 0980-51-2433 ☎ 0980-51-2155 ☎ 090-1179-5692 54-1 Gesashi, Higashi Village 758-23 Gesashi, Higashi Village 758-60 Gesashi, Higashi Village Reservation Required Parking: 20 spaces, 3 spaces for large buses http://www.eco-pukapuka.com http://amandmn.com *For 10 people or more.

Yanbaru Nature School Yanbaru Club Eco-adventure ☎ 0980-43-2571 ☎ 0980-43-2785 ☎ 090-5732-8778 ●Enquiries 82 Gesashi, Higashi Village 155 Gesashi, Higashi Village 431-1 Kawata, Higashi Village Mudskipper TEL: 0980-51-2301 http://www.gesashi.com http://www.yanbaru-club.com 334 Kawata, Higashi Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture Reservations are required for those participating the canoeing experience *Please participate in clothing that can get wet. Necessary items: A hat, one set of clothes for changing, sunscreen, a drink (plastic bottles are allowed) *Please check the time for it will be held at high tide. FAX: 0980-51-2302 E-mail [email protected] You Can't Have Fun on an Empty Stomach, Pension & Café Terrace Tachiga Higashi Villager’s Mori no Tsutsuji Eco Park YAMBARU LOHAS so Eat Your Fill of Goodies from Higashi Village! ☎ 0980-43-2186 ☎ 0980-43-3300 ☎ 0980-43-2884 519-1 Miyagi, Higashi Village http://higashison.ti-da.net 766-1 Taira, Higashi Village http://higashi-ecopark.com 167-2 Gesashi, Higashi Village http://yanbaru-lohas.com A Restaurant with the Cheerful Relish Delicious Foods Even at Night The Smoked Sliced Pork Belly is so Juicy! Have Authentic Coffee at Higashi Village! Bustle of Locals A secret retreat in Higashi Village! A great spot for enjoying the outdoors, At YAMBARU LOHAS, Enjoy a great night out at this spot where A secret hideaway in the trees of Arume Enjoy the taste of handmade coffee grown and A restaurant where you can enjoy the taste of Okinawa Rejuvenate yourself with the open-air terrace cafe bungalows, and camping, where camping cars you can have fun horseback riding, Higashi Village locals also visit for a drink! Enjoy a meal surrounded by a soothing forest processed at Takae, Higashi Village and the natural splendor of the waterfall! are also allowed. and take pleasure on the luxurious private beach

Enjoy the outdoors at the camping grounds (camping goods are available for rent) Camping cars are welcome! The recommendations here are the standard The food here is all home-grown, making for a fare you will find on an Okinawan dinner table: natural sweetness and texture that is delicious! Raise your ice cold glass of Orion beer for a toast You can also buy coffee beans at the store. various Champuru and stewed pig’s trotters ‒ The Fukuro Teishoku meal is an absolute must, as you enjoy a Champuru made from home-grown 100g ¥500～ (For private consumption only - these are made by the owner, each with a re- consisting of smoked pork shoulder and season- bitter melons! not available for wholesale or commercial use) fined flavor overflowing with a mother’s love. al vegetables. Hyakusho Chaya Hiro Coffee Farm Restaurant Agari nu Hama (Sunrise Higashi) 108-3 Taira, Higashi Village TEL: 080-6493-7458 Restaurant Mori no Fukurou 85-25 Takae, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2126 358-1 Arume, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2797 550-23 Taira, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-3016 Open Hours: 18:00-23:00 Open Hours: 11:00-18:00 Open Hours: 12:00-23:00 Closed: Tuesdays Open Hours: 11:00-16:30 Closed: Tuesdays Closed: Irregular holidays (reservations required) Closed: Tuesdays & Wednesdays Bungalow building (outside) Bungalow building (inside)

Workshop Guesthouse“Shima Zouri” Canaan Slow Farm Flower and Bamboo Park Homestay Experience ☎ 0980-43-3655 Café & Eco Stay “Okinawa Kaguya Hime” ☎ 0980-51-2655 54-1 Taira, Higashi Village http://shimazouri.jp ☎ 0980-43-2468 ☎ 0980-43-2838 Higashi Village Tourism Promotion Council 863-2 Taira, Higashi Village 718-28 Gesashi, Higashi Village http://www.higashi-kanko.jp Each room is an individual cottage type room http://slow-farm.jpn.org http://oki-kaguyahime.jp HOKAZE Something a little different - ex- Canaan Slow Farm Pension & Café Terrace Tachiga Flower and Bamboo Park 758-104 Gesashi, Higashi Village Higashi no OZ so you can get plenty of rest. Café & Eco Stay 519-1 Miyagi, Higashi Village “Okinawa Kaguya Hime” TEL: 0980-43-3277 863-1 Taira, Higashi Village A blissful time and environ- Bungalow and camping options perience an overnight stay in a 863-2 Taira, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2186 718-28 Gesashi, Higashi Village Open Hours: Tuesday until Friday (11:30-15:00) TEL: 0980-43-2560 ment feeling the breath of available in the middle of a bo- traditional Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2468 Open Hours: 11:00-18:00 (lunch until 14:30) TEL: 0980-43-2838 Sunday (11:30-17:00) Open Hours: 11:00-23:00 nature in the sea breeze and tanical garden full of nature Open Hours: 11:30-18:00 (lunch until 15:00) Closed: Wednesdays Open Hours: 9:00-17:00 (food until 16:00) Closed: Mondays and the first and Open throughout the year house Closed: Thursdays Open throughout the year third Sundays of each month sounds of the ocean from the and seasonal flowers quiet east coast.

Light Meal Café Aiueo Restaurant Ecopa (Tsutsuji Eco Park) Teahouse Mulan 56-1 Gesashi, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2566 766-1 Taira, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-3303 85-10 Takae, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2388 Open Hours: 10:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00 Open Hours: 11:00～16:30 Open Hours: 10:00-17:00 Enjoy Closed: Wednesdays Closed: Sundays & Mondays Open throughout the year Higashi We Have Lots of Local Specialties Available Only at Higashi Village! Bingata Dyeing Experience Fishing experience, Village! (reservations required) farming experience and Shop Here for Souvenirs, Lunch Boxes and Drinks! Bingata no Someya 116 Takae, Higashi Village TEL: 090-9384-6324 Okinawan clothing experience This is the spot for This store offers a great range of (reservations required) specialty products, from pineap- 100% Made in Higashi Village! Higashi Village!! Higashi Village Tourism Promotion Council Higashi Village souvenirs!! ples (Higashi Village is the lead- s TEL: 0980-51-2655 Our Most Popular Item is the Soap p There’s a collection of ing pineapple producer in ) Freshly Picked o and pineapple jam and sauces, to Packed with Organically h local specialties!! Sea Grapes!! s herbal products including teas Grown Herb!! rk and soaps, and other local agri- o cultural products including tea W made in Higashi Village. & urism We have a wide range of To local specialties of Higashi Village!

Recently in the spotlight as an Okinawan This store stocks a range of teas and cosmetics souvenir,“sea grapes” are also farmed at Hi- made from organically grown herbs, making it gashi Village, where you can come and see perfect for souvenirs. The lineup of cosmetics is the facility aiming to be the cleanest in especially large, making it ideal for ladies. Japan! Strawberry Picking Experience Plaster Shisa Making Experience Herb Garden Mellow Green Takae Yamashiro Bussan (Feb. to May, reservations required) 550-23 Taira, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2270 780 Gesashi, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-3433 Sun Foods Minatogawa Farm (reservation required) 466-37 Takae, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2745 Sunrise Higashi Open Hours: 9:00-18:00 Open throughout the year Open Hours: 6:00-18:00 Open Throughout the Year 382 Gesashi, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-2542 Shima Zouri Open Hours: 10:00-18:00 Closed: Thursdays Lots of other crops can be harvested as well! 54-1 Taira, Higashi Village TEL: 0980-43-3655 What is a There are no large shopping centers in Higashi Village, Community Store? and no supermarkets or convenience stores either. So how do people do their shopping? Using mutually supportive organizations, or“community stores,” which were created more than 100 years ago in small communities in the northern section of Okinawa's main island and have a unique history and manage- ment style. Higashi Village has community stores (and Gesashi Community Store also individually operated stores), where you can get Arume Community Store 25-1 Gesashi, Higashi Village Taira Community Store Gesashi Bay Mangrove Forest and 27-1 Arume, Higashi Village 504 Taira, Higashi Village all of your daily necessities and foodstuffs. TEL: 0980-43-2043 Mori no Herb Garden Higashi Village Mangrove Park Fukuji Dam Arakawa Dam TEL: 0980-43-2149 Open Hours: Summer (7:00-19:30), TEL: 0980-43-2193 777-6 Gesashi, Higashi Village 54-1 Gesashi, Higashi Village 1105-2 Kawata, Higashi Village Higashi Village Takae area Open throughout the year Open Hours: 7:30-20:30 Winter (7:00-19:00)

Mountain and Water Life Museum 61-1 Kawata, Higashi Village Okinawa Kaguya Hime Miyagi Community Store Takae Community Store TEL: 0980-51-2828 Higa Store Kawata Community Store Uodomari Community Store Yamashiro Store 718-28 Gesashi, Higashi Village 117-1 Miyagi, Higashi Village 85-30 Takae, Higashi Village 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00) TEL: 0980-43-2838 543 Taira, Higashi Village 907 Kawata, Higashi Village 533 Miyagi, Higashi Village 14 Arume, Higashi Village Sakishimasuounoki Tree Ogatamanoki Tree Okinawa Yanbaru Seawater TEL: 0980-43-2241 TEL: 0980-43-2243 Closed: Mondays, public holidays 9:00-17:00 Uppama Beach TEL: 0980-43-2331 TEL: 0980-43-2923 Open Hours: Summer (7:00-21:00), TEL: 0980-43-2140 Open Hours: Summer (7:00-20:00), TEL: 0980-43-2044 (Heritiera littoralis) (Michelia compressa) Pumped Storage Power Station and year-end and new years Open Throughout the Year 292-50 Gesashi, Higashi Village Open Hours: 7:00-21:00 Open Hours: 7:00-20:00 Winter (7:00-20:00) Open Hours: 7:00-20:00 Winter (7:30-19:00) Open Hours: 7:30-20:30 260 Shimo Fukuji, Kawata 29-1 Arume, Higashi Village 1301-1 Aha Kawasebaru, Kunigami Village