Okinawa Forest Adventure

Holiday-goers lounging on Onna’s white sand beaches are no doubt unaware of what’s going on high in the jungle as creatures climb above the forest canopy and zip or swing from tower to tower. Curious travelers will discover a new side of Okinawa’s tropical paradise if they take the leap into a Forest Adventure.

Sand and sea are what draws most people to Okinawa, yet in the midst of all that relaxing sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone—or at least out of the pool—and try something new and exciting to write home about.

Back in 2006 Forest Adventure opened its first activity base at the foot of Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji with the support and know-how from their partner in Europe who had pioneered ropes courses there. Since then, Forest Adventure has expanded their network of adventure parks, showcasing Japan’s diverse landscapes, climates and forests. They now have more than 40 bases across the country, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, where visitors can learn the basics of ropes courses, zip lines and other adventure activities. It’s a great place to safely push your limits with the the support of expert staff and encouragement of family and friends.

When developing each location the landscape is their canvas and they use the natural features to design their courses, minimizing construction and the environmental impact on the area—aiming to leave the forest in its natural state as much as possible. This goal of building eco-friendly outdoor parks that promote harmony with nature means that each park is inherently unique. Japan is home to coniferous, deciduous and sub-tropical forests and visitors at Forest Adventure get to see, smell and feel Nature while navigating the terrain.

Okinawa’s lone Forest Adventure is located in Onna Village, which is nearly the center of Okinawa’s main island, close to many resort hotels and not far from one of the most popular dive spots, Cape Maeda. The park features a variety of activities including a 120-meter-long zip line across the tree tops as you peer out across the East China Sea. The course features eight zip lines of various lengths as well as the Tarzan Swing, a 10-meter-high leap and swing into a large net you grab hold of before pulling yourself up and continuing on.

The Adventure Course, which takes about 2.5 hours to complete, depending on your pace, is the most challenging. It can be tailored to each person’s physical abilities as there are shortcut options for those not comfortable on certain sections and of course visitors are free to retire at any time. Safety and enjoyment to each persons fitness and comfort level are the priorities.
Up until recently, Forest Adventure had stayed true to their philosophy of self reliance using a “self belay system” in which visitors were responsible for clipping in and out of the safety system on their own. At the start, all groups had an obligatory training session before starting, but then it was up to each person and group to complete the course on their own. It was a unique experience because you were 100% responsible for your own safety.

My son (10-years-old at the time) and I went together with our friends while they were visiting on vacation. The trepidation I witnessed as my son clipped into the self belay system on the first section slowly gave way to self-confidence as he independently clipped in and out of the next sections. There were still some hesitant moments before making one of several leaps of faith, but everyone completed the course and felt that buzz of adrenaline after coming in for the last landing.

All things evolve, and Forest Adventure has moved on from the “Self Belay” System to a “Continuous Belay” system that ensures uninterrupted protection. It makes sense to take as much of the real risk out of the equation, as the perceived risk is more than enough to get your juices flowing. There’s a trick to each section, whether it’s walking a tightrope or trying not to get twisted around in the air so you land cleanly (we had our share of less than graceful landings).

Forest Adventure continues to draw on the accumulated expertise of their team and their partners in Europe to operate with the highest safety standards without sacrificing any of the fun. The Okinawa adventure is a great great half activity during a holiday, especially on those overcast days or when the sea conditions might not be great for diving or snorkeling.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Conditions: The course is available to anyone 10-years-old and over or with a minimum height of 1.4m. The Maximum weight is 110kg. Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult (18-years or older). High school students can do the course unaccompanied but adults must supervise from the ground. One adult guardian can accompany up to three children. Note that on extremely stormy days with high wind or threat of thunderstorms the courses will be closed.

Price: Adults & Children: ¥4,000; Private Guides are can be hired for ¥6,000 per round. The trampoline can be rented by groups for ¥500 for ten minutes. All payments must be made in cash before starting the course.

Rentals: If you only brought flip-flops on vacation, don’t worry, sturdy rental shoes are available that are great for digging in on those zipline landings. There are also shoulder bags for rent (or fanny packs if you prefer) to put valuables in and even PET bottle holders so you can strap your water on safely (definitely needed on hot days). Gloves can and rain gear can be purchased as well.

Location: When searching on Google Maps for “Forest Adventure in Onna,” you will find the dedicated parking lot along the seaside on Route 6 from where you’ll get picked up for the short drive up the hill. If you search on other maps apps it may take you to the office and not the meeting point, so take note. Parking is limited so it is recommended to carpool or use public transportation if possible. Contact Forest Adventure for up-to-date bus schedules.

FOREST ADVENTURE IN ONNA

• Tel: 090-4739-9140
• E-mail: onna@foret-aventure.jp
• Web: foret-aventure.jp/en/park/fa-onna/
• IG: instagram.com/forestadventure_in_onna
• FB: facebook.com/faonnaFB

FOREST ADVENTURE PARKS IN JAPAN