The natural environment of Okinawa splendidly recreated
Bios on the Hill is a botanical garden which spreads out on the Ishikawa Plateau in the central area of the main island of Okinawa. 1 hour away from Naha by car, the facility is a wonderfully recreated subtropical forest that can be seen from the north. On its 250,000㎡, there are approximately 259 species of plant life including clusters of ferns, and the garden is a place where you can observe subtropical flora and fauna.
Traveling by excursion boat and water buffalo-drawn carts are popular ways to move about in the park
The garden is surrounded by man-made ponds and lakes, and from Ufutachigumui Pond which looks like a dragon from the sky, there are freshwater lake excursion boats. During the 25-minute cruise which spans a kilometer, plants and animals that can only be seen from the water can be observed. There is a 2km trail within the park that can be walked upon or traveled upon by water buffalo-drawn carriages. In either case, the explanation given by the guides is interesting. It’s worth listening to the talk which mixes humor with the easy-to-understand explanations so that the course is popular with tourists.
Activities enjoyed by people of all ages
Inside the large garden, there are many facilities that can be enjoyed by adults and children such as athletic facilities, a giant swing and a plaza where you can meet up with animals such as goats and chickens. Along with canoeing on the lake, there are also popular Hawaii-born activities and a tryout on the stand-up paddleboard (SUP). The SUP can also handle tight turns so you can enjoy a marine voyage that you cannot experience on the excursion boat and even beginners can have fun on the mild waves on the lake. There are also weekend night tours held annually from mid-May to late June to view fireflies, and the night cruises sailing on the dim water surface where you can also catch sight of the fireflies are magical.