Hiji Falls Hike, Okinawa
Located in the jungles of Yanbaru National Park in northern Okinawa lies the beautiful Hiji Falls. Hiji Falls cascades down a steep and rocky cliff into a crystal clear pool below. The only way to reach Hiji Falls is to hike. The hike to Hiji Falls is no walk in the park but still very manageable for all levels. The Hiji Falls hike is mostly maintained. There are railing in parts that need it, stone steps on inclines, and suspension bridges crossing the waters below. Pay close attention to the wildlife that calls Yanbaru National Park home. I came across several reptile and amphibian species. Hikers are rewarded with picturesque views of Hiji Falls at the end of the hike.
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Hiji Falls
Hiji Falls, or Hiji Otaki in Japanese, is the tallest waterfall in Yambaru National Forest in Northern Okinawa at 26 meters tall. The waterfall is fed by the Hiji River that empties out into the East China Sea.
Hike to Hiji Falls
The hike to Hiji Falls is fairly short, it’s only 1.5 kilometers. The park did a nice job at maintaining the trail as there were cement logs in place that acted as stairs on steep terrain and there were ropes along the path so there is no way to get lost! About midway through the hike, there was a suspension bridge about 17 meters high overlooking the valley.
After the suspension bridge, the incline of the trail gradually increases until reaching Hiji Falls. Once at the falls, there are benches to take a breather or eat a snack. You can get fairly close to the waterfall, there are ropes and posts barring entrance to the pool at the base of the falls so unfortunately, no swimming allowed! I guess that is a good thing.
One aspect I really enjoyed about this hike were the options. At certain locations along the trail it branched off and visitors are allowed to take alternative paths. For example, at the start of the trail there was a board walk you can follow or the alternative was to follow a river path until the paths met up again at a point. Another part of the trail, hikers could actually trek through the river. We had our tennis shoes, so we decided to stay on dry land. But next time, we will definitely wear our Keens and hike through the water. After all, the water was crystal clear and somewhat chilly which would have been perfect since it was so hot and muggy out.
Wildlife Encountered Along the Trail
Spotting wildlife along the Hiji Falls Hike was definitely the most rewarding aspect at least for me.
There is an abundance of wildlife here in Okinawa, most are reptiles and birds on the smaller side. But many animals only exist in Yambaru National Park and nowhere else on the planet. It’s been my goal to document all the wildlife I encounter in Okinawa.
Hiking to the falls was an incredible experience as we saw so many insects and reptiles. Okay, so maybe bugs and reptiles are not on everyone’s wish list but they are just as important to the ecosystem as anything else.
Along the Hiji Falls Trail we saw a couple Tree Lizards, a Sakishima Grass Lizard, several Ryukyu Brown Frogs, Giant Golden Orb Weavers, a Ryukyu Odd-Tooth Snake, and a Ryukyu Green Snake.
Conclusion
For many reasons from the spectacular views of Hiji Falls to the wildlife encountered, Hiji Falls is one of the better hikes in Okinawa. At 1.5 kilometers in length and a fairly maintained trail, the Hiji Falls hike is still a challenging yet rewarding hike that can be conquered by almost anyone. Just keep in mind it’s still a hike in nature, so bring water, be aware of your surroundings, and be safe!
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