Discover another side of Okinawa:
a private forest-lake experience in Yanbaru.
Not the ocean you expected.
Before the plans — a short word on why this experience is different from anything else on the island.
A quieter Okinawa
Away from the coastline and crowds — a still forest lake hidden deep in Yanbaru.
SUP & Sabani, on a lake
Paddle a forest lake, not the sea — calmer water, and a different kind of stillness.
Beginner-friendly, always
90% of our guests have never paddled before. Guided at your own pace, no experience required.
Private or small-group
Never a crowded tour. Your group moves at its own rhythm, with a dedicated local guide.
Local, lifelong guides
Guides who have lived and paddled Yanbaru for years — not seasonal staff.
Even the rain is part of it
Sheltered by dense forest, the lake stays calm in weather that would cancel a sea tour.
Choose your way into Yanbaru
First choose how you want to experience the water. If you prefer SUP, choose between a deeper private journey at Bunagaya Lake and easier access with open views at Akemio Lake.
Jungle SUP Bunagaya Lake
Go deeper into the forest — with the lake fully yours.
A fully private SUP experience farther north in Yanbaru. The forest feels closer, the surroundings quieter, and the scenery changes with the season and water level. Best for guests who value privacy, stillness, and a more immersive nature experience.
Jungle SUP Akemio Lake
Open views, easier access, and a relaxed first paddle.
Begin on a wide, peaceful lake, then explore quieter tributaries as the scenery gradually changes. Easier to reach from Nago and the resort area, it is a natural choice for first-timers, families, and friends who want a relaxed introduction to Yanbaru.
Jungle Sabani Akemio Lake
A slower, cultural way to experience the lake.
Travel across Akemio Lake aboard a handcrafted Okinawan sabani. With less emphasis on balancing and standing than SUP, this is a relaxed way for mixed-age families and culture-minded travelers to enjoy the scenery together. Can be combined with SUP.
| Bunagaya SUP | Akemio SUP | Akemio Sabani | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Deep & immersive | Open & active | Relaxed & cultural |
| Scenery | Forest-enclosed, secluded | Wide lake + tributaries | Open lake views |
| Best for | Privacy, couples, special occasions | First-timers, families, friends | Mixed ages, seniors, culture lovers |
| Pace & activity | Relaxed or active — paddle at your own pace | Relaxed or active — paddle at your own pace | Relaxed and easy-paced |
| Privacy | Fully private | Private guide; other guided groups may be on the lake | Private guide; other guided groups may be on the lake |
| Access from Kyoda IC | Approx. 35 min | Approx. 17 min | Approx. 17 min |
Bunagaya SUP
- Experience
- Deep & immersive
- Scenery
- Forest-enclosed, secluded
- Best for
- Privacy, couples, special occasions
- Pace & activity
- Relaxed or active — paddle at your own pace
- Privacy
- Fully private
- Access
- Approx. 35 min from Kyoda IC
Akemio SUP
- Experience
- Open & active
- Scenery
- Wide lake + tributaries
- Best for
- First-timers, families, friends
- Pace & activity
- Relaxed or active — paddle at your own pace
- Privacy
- Private guide; other guided groups may be on the lake
- Access
- Approx. 17 min from Kyoda IC
Akemio Sabani
- Experience
- Relaxed & cultural
- Scenery
- Open lake views
- Best for
- Mixed ages, seniors, culture lovers
- Pace & activity
- Relaxed and easy-paced
- Privacy
- Private guide; other guided groups may be on the lake
- Access
- Approx. 17 min from Kyoda IC
Still not sure?
Choose Bunagaya for privacy and deeper immersion. Choose Akemio SUP for easier access and an active first experience. Choose Akemio Sabani for a slower, cultural experience shared across generations. You can also select Still Deciding in the booking form and we will recommend the best fit.
Make it your own
Curated add-ons for a more personal experience. Advance reservation required for scheduling.
Relaxation & Recovery
From motion, to stillness.
A 60-minute treatment after your time on the water — choose aroma, seitai bodywork, or dry head spa.
Coconut Hat Workshop
Woven by hand, worn on the water.
Weave your own hat from coconut leaf, then wear it out onto the lake. A memory — and a hat — to keep.
Professional Photographer
Let the moment be captured.
A photographer who knows the field joins your tour, capturing natural moments without staged posing.
Meet your guides
Local guides who have paddled and cared for this field for years — not seasonal staff.
Mitsuki
Founding Guide
A founding member of Jungle SUP and champion crew of a strait-crossing sabani race. Brings an easy, playful warmth to every tour.
Kimiko
Ocean Athlete & Guide
Lifesaving and outrigger canoe competitor, with international ocean-crossing race experience — a steady, reassuring presence on the water.
Akira
Guide
Raised close to the sea, mountains, and rivers, with years of kayak and snorkel guiding experience across Okinawa.
