Welcome to“Ufugi NatureMuseum”!

●Precious wildlife in Yambaru

The Yambaru forest is the most extensive evergreen forest inJapan, and is inhabited by diverse creatures. Many endemicspecies (species found only in a particular region) also inhabit
the forest, such as the Okinawa Rail, Okinawa Woodpecker,
Namie’ s Frog, Yambaru Long-Armed Scarab Beetle etc.

Ministry of the Environment
Yambaru Wildl ife Conservation Center● Facility Information
Opening hours :10:00 am−4:30 pm
Closed : Mondays
National holidays

Ufugi Nature Museum(except Greenery Day and Children's Day)

Okinawa RailNamie’s Frog

Protect Yambaru

Cape Hedo

Yui Yui Kunigami
Roadside StationYambaru Long-Armed Scarab Beetle“Ufugi” means “a big tree” in the Okinawan dialect.
Since the word expresses the image of Yambaru,“Ufugi” was selected as the nickname by publicly
seeking suggestions from the local people.

Memorial Day (June 23), Year end/New Year holidays
Admission : Free

Okinawa Woodpecker

The beautiful Yambaru forest that exist here among all places in
the world is a treasure we must hand down to posterity. TheYambaru Wildlife Conservation Center, “Ufugi Nature Museum,”
was opened in 1999 with the aim of raising public awareness sothat visitors can deepen their understanding of and interest in thenature and wildlife of the Yambaru area as well as promoting
projects, research and surveys for conservation of valuable natural environment and wildlife in Yambaru. In 2010, it wasreopened as it renewed the exhibition, and it was also given thenickname “Ufugi Nature Museum.”

Ministry of the Environment
Yambaru Wildlife Conservation CenterUfugi Nature Museum
Okuma
Elementary School

Kunigami
VillageOkuma River

Convenience
store

Nagoforest

JAL PrivateResort Okuma

Hiji Falls

S-T line

Hiji River(Shioya-Taira line)

Paved roads are convenient for humans, but are
dangerous for living creatures in the wild. Many creatures besides Okinawa Rails are involved in traffic
accidents. From April to June, it is the breeding
season of the Okinawa Rails; therefore, car accidents
involving wildlife and resulting in “roadkill” occur
frequently. Please drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed and calmly.

MotobuTown❷ Do not catch animals or take plants.

❸ Do not discard your pets

Not only the mongoose but also abandoned pets suchas cats and dogs that have gone wild are threatening
the native species of the Yambaru forest. You should
be responsible for your pets and it’ s thoughtlesshumans who are to blame for this problem.

Ogimi
Village

HigashiVillage❶ Keep to a moderate speed when driving your vehicle

The Yambaru forest has been devastated due to thepoaching of rare species such as the Yambaru
Long-armed Scarab Beetle and illegal digging orexcessive picking of plants such as orchids. Please do
not catch or hurt animals and plants if it is unnecessary.

Yambaru
Wildlife Conservation Center（Ufugi Nature Museum）

Hiji Community
CenterNakijin
Village

OnnaVillage
Kin
Town

Ufugi Nature Museum263-1 Hiji, Kunigami,
Kunigami District, Okinawa
TEL/0980-50-1025
FAX/0980-50-1026
http://www.ufugi-yambaru.com/

NahaCity

Naha I.C.

Kunigami
Village

Nago
City

HigashiVillage

Kyoda I.C.

Ministry of the Environment
Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center

Ogimi
Village

Nago
City

GinozaVillage

About 100km
from NAHA(About 2hours)
About 30km
from NAGO(About 40 minutes)
Created on March, 2012

Ministry of the Environment●The region “Yambaru”“Yambaru” originally meant “a region with a range of mountains
and extensive forests” and referred to the area all over the northern part of Okinawa Island. Nowadays, the natural forest and its
riches have gradually been reduced to a narrow area. And thedense forests, especially, which endemic species such as theOkinawa Rail, Okinawa Woodpecker etc. still inhabit, remain in
only three northern villages; Kunigami, Ogimi, and Higashi
village.

The lively
forests at night

Guide to theFacility
Exhibitions in Ufugi Nature Museum are roughly
divided into 4 sections. Various ideas have been
introduced in each section so that visitors canunderstand Yambaru s attractive rich nature moreenjoyably, easily, and deeply.
Now, let s go on a journey of discoveryof the forests of Yambaru!

Creatures that are completely
unlike those that appear during thedaytime give lively performancesin the forests during the nighttime.
Let’s shine flashlights on the creatures in the forests at night!

Nature and creaturesof Yambaru
A forest at night

About endemic species

From the coast along flowing rivers tothe forest in Yambaru. Unique species
and the diverse ecosystem in Yambaru.

From the coast to Yambaru forest via rivers, the various creatures in Yambaru are introduced. Much information regarding
the characteristics of endemic species is also available.
In addition to stuffed animals and birds andnesting trees, it is full of the wonders andsurprises of sounds and sights.

Nature and Creatures of Yambaru

The forest at nightcies

Soundscapesof Yambaru

About endemic spe

Problems confronting
Yambaru

Characteristicsof Yambaru

Connection Cards

Entrance
Yuntaku Space(Lounge corner)
The story of “BountifulNature of Yambaru”
Yambaru Library

Getting a Feeling ofYambaru while Chatting

The section titled The story of “Bountiful Nature of Yambaru” introduces various relationships between
Yambaru’s nature and the livelihood of the people of thelocal communities. In the Yuntaku Space (Lounge corner),
visitors can leisurely browse through many books andmaterial that teach them about the joy of nature.
Try to get a deeper experience of the charms of Yambaru.

e corner)
Yuntaku Space (LoungThings we have to solve

Video & Lecture RoomOriginal video clips including “The Forests ofYambaru” (about 18 minutes long) that introduce
Yambaru’ s nature and its attractiveness areplayed back. The room can also be used forspecial exhibitions, conferences, and lectures.

Message forYambaru

What is Yambaru?
Why is Yambaru’s nature precious andvaluable? Why are these unique species only found in such a small area?
The history and ecological value ofYambaru to the world are presented.

Information counter
Welcome toUfugi Nature Museum!

OfficeCharacteristics of Yambaru

The story of “Bountiful Nature of Yambaru”

Problems confronting

Visual Experiences
through a Large Screen

Seasonal Changes in Yambaru

Yambaru has been facing many
problems such as traffic accidents(roadkill) involving wildlife, poaching,invasive alien species and so on. In
order to live in harmony with nature
and wildlife, what can you do forYambaru.

Let’s bring together
information about
discovery of creatures.

Video & Lecture RoomYambaru

Footprints of the Ryukyu wild boar

Footprints of theYambaru Kuina(Okinawa Rail)Introducing the latest
information on Yambaru“The Ruddy Kingfisher has arrived!”“It’s the breeding season of the Okinawa Woodpecker!”Here, we introduce hot topics about living creatures
in Yambaru. On this map, you can write your own
original information on creatures you see in the sea,river, forest, or countryside.

Map of Yambaru and surrounding areas