Some part of this ATV tour can be bumpy and muddy. (Photos by Shoji Kudaka)
It had been years since I’d made my way back to Higashi Village on Okinawa’s northeastern coast. The area is known for its beautiful azaleas in the spring and Matayoshi Coffee Farm, a sprawling estate where you can sample coffee harvesting and roasting.
For this visit, however, I decided to tap into some adrenaline and go on an adventure.
Thrills and spills on fun ATV ride
My first stop was Yambarunture, an outdoor recreational park adjacent to Matayoshi Coffee Farm. I could have done another coffee-harvesting tour, but this time I was there for an ATV ride. I’d been excited to try this since I heard they added this fun activity to their offerings several years ago.
After checking in at the booth, I put on long rubber boots and a helmet. I was also offered a shirt and trousers to wear during the ride, but I decided to go as I was, which I regretted later. Ten other tourists and I were then loaded on a microbus and transported to an open field with ATVs lined up and ready for us to jump on.
We split into two groups and spent the first 10 minutes just riding within the field for practice. Towa Sakihara, Yambarunture assistant manager, led our group as an instructor.
The last time I rode an ATV, I struggled to maneuver the four-wheel vehicle, but this time I felt right at home. Making a turn felt easy as I learned to keep my upper arm to my side.
Once one our group got the hang of it, it was time to tour around the coffee farm. I followed behind a father-and-son team. For safety, kids ages 4-10 must share an ATV with a parent or guardian.
There were some bumps and dips, but the route did not look too difficult. After riding about 15 minutes or so, we stopped at a shack for a tea break.
Sakihara also guided us on a walk around the coffee farm. Although the ATV ride was easy so far, I was already sweating a lot. Walking in the shade was refreshing. We also had a chance to sample ripened coffee fruits and to try chewing on Karaki leaves that tasted like cinnamon.
Sampling Karaki tree leaves that taste like cinnamon is part of this fun tour. (Photos by Shoji Kudaka)
Okinawa Kinobori Tokage (Photos by Shoji Kudaka)
During our break, an Okinawa Kinobori Tokage indigenous lizard made an appearance.
When we got back on our vehicles, some bumpy roads with ups, downs, twists and turns were waiting.
Since I felt very comfortable on my ATV at this point, I intentionally accelerated as I approached each dip and bump, which almost made me lose balance at one point. But the vehicle was much more stable than I predicted; it never let go of its grip on the ground.
What made the ride even more fun was puddles of water dotting the red clay road. Just like I did when driving over dips and bumps, I intentionally accelerated every time I spotted a pool ahead.
It didn’t take long for my pants to be spattered with red mud. I didn’t care, the ride was so exhilarating and fun that a little dirt didn’t matter. I must’ve looked like a little kid covered in mud, but it was a great time.
Tours with Yambarunture are available through Kadena ITT and MCCS, but you can also book individual tours through the company website.
Sakihara recommends booking online and trying the ATV experience in the fall months.
“Autumn is the season we recommend the most,” he said. “You might spot wild animals such as a newt and a boar, which is fun.”
Yambarunture Higashi-son
GPS Coordinates: 26.609826, 128.144026
One-hour ATV ride is available from 9:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Fees: 6,500 yen for 16 years old and above, 6,000 yen for ages between 11 and 15, and 500 yen for ages between 4 and 10. (Those who are under four years of age can not participate in the attraction.)
Free parking space available.
Reservation required.
For reservations, check out the website or email hello@doki.okinawa
*Please avoid no-shows. Contact park if you have to cancel.
Coffee Break at Matayoshi Coffee Farm
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Once the ATV tour was over, I decided to take a break at a café inside the Matayoshi Coffee Farm. As a coffee person, I couldn’t leave without a cup of joe.
As I entered the store, I ran into a couple of familiar faces from the ATV tour. It seemed there was only one thing on our mind after the sweat-inducing activity we’d just finished.
In addition to offering local brand Okinawan Coffee, the café also has beans from Latin America and Africa. I went with coffee brewed with Ethiopian beans for 550 yen because I wanted a more acidic flavor.
When the coffee was brought to the table, I was enamored by its aroma. With one sip, the lemony flavor of the coffee felt rejuvenating. Taking a break over the cup of coffee was pure bliss.
Matayoshi Coffee Farm
GPS Coordinates: 26.60990, 128.14385
Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (9 a.m.- Sat. and Sun.)
Free parking space available.
Magnificent Mangrove Park
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
A 965-foot boardwalk runs along Gesashi River. (Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
From the coffee farm, a 5-minute drive will take you to Mangrove Park on the banks of the Gesashi River. I went there to have a relaxing time on the boardwalk that runs along the river.
I walked in the shade of the mangrove trees and from the observation deck, saw students enjoying some kayaking on the water.
This park is a great place to get close to the interesting mangroves of Okinawa, relax, or, if you’re more adventurous, enjoy some recreation on the water while exploring the area.
Higashi-son Fureai Hirugi Koen (mangrove park)
GPS Coordinates: 26.604005, 128.144843
Free parking space available.
Relaxing at Uppama Beach
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Near the park, Uppama Beach is another nice spot to enjoy in Higashi Village. From the parking lot, I walked under a tunnel formed by Adan trees (Pandanus odoratissimus) to reach the sandy shore.
Uppama” means a “big beach” in Okinawa dialect. Just like its name suggests, this beach is pretty big, which was a surprise given its secluded location. If you want to enjoy the crystal blue waters without a crowd, Uppama is definitely a great place to take a dip.
Though I didn’t jump in this time, I enjoyed the relaxed vibe at Uppama Beach.
Uppama Beach
GPS Coordinates: 26.600283, 128.150287
Free parking space available.
Lunch break at Agarinu Hama inside Sunrise Higashi
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
Higashi Village may not have many restaurants, but a visit to Agarinu Hama inside the village’s roadside station can be very satisfying.
For 800 yen, I got an enormous pork cutlet served on curry and rice. The curry was not spicy and had a mild sweetness that gave it a more homemade flavor. For the price, the flavor and size of the meal was definitely a steal.
Other menu items of this eatery included Okinawa soba noodle (700 yen), Karaage teishoku (fried chicken meal set, 800 yen), Gyu yakisoba (chow mein with beef,800 yen), and more.
Plus, at a store nearby, you can purchase Higashi Village products like pineapples, BBQ and ponzu sauces, and more.
Agarinu Hama at Sunrise Higashi
GPS Coordinates: 26.63092, 128.15332
Hours: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last order at 4 p.m.), closed on Tue.
Free parking space available.
Visit to Sakishimasuonoki natural monument
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
To close my visit to Higashi Village, I decided to see Sakishimasuonoki (Heritiera littoralis), a natural monument growing by Fukuchi River.
Also known as the “looking glass” mangrove, this tree is known for its unique buttress roots, which are called “bankon (board root)” in Japanese. There were two of them at this location, a big one and a small one. I also found a waterfall running down a rock wall nearby.
According to a description posted by Higashi Village, there’s a grave by the tree, which is believed to belong to an ancient local leader. Because of that, this location is now considered a place of worship.
The curving shape of the roots presented an other-worldly look. The trees transported me to old Okinawa.
Sakishimasuonoki
GPS Coordinates: 26.636944, 128.163250
*Free parking space available.
