The Hija River runs along the boundary between Kadena Town and Yomitan Village, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is the class-two river with the largest catchment on Okinawa’s main island, running through Okinawa City, Kadena, Yomitan and five municipalities in all before it empties into the East China Sea.
Near the mouth there is a stretch of mangrove forest, and the kayak tours that thread through it are the river’s main draw.
The river is wide and the current very gentle, and it is sheltered from waves and wind, so it works even for first-time paddlers and families with small children.
This guide covers what makes the Hija River worth visiting, the mangrove kayaking, and how to get there and where to park.
Ratings for the Hija River
The Hija River at a glance
| River class | Class-two river |
| Catchment area | About 50.9 km² (the largest on Okinawa’s main island) |
| Main channel length | About 21.8 km |
| Opening hours | None (the river itself is open) |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Yes |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Official website | Kadena Town Hijagawa Nature Experience Centre |
The river itself is open to visitors, and there is a walking path along the bank.
Kayaking and other activities are run by the Kadena Town Hijagawa Nature Experience Centre and by tour operators nearby, and all require booking in advance.
What makes the Hija River worth visiting
The largest catchment of any class-two river on Okinawa’s main island
At about 50.9 km², the Hija River has the widest catchment of any river on Okinawa’s main island.
The main channel runs about 21.8 km, from its headwaters in Okinawa City along the Kadena-Yomitan boundary and out into the East China Sea.
Unusually for a river on Okinawa’s main island its flow is steady, and near the mouth it widens out and slows right down.
The mangrove kayak tour
The Hija River is best known for the kayak tours that work their way through the mangroves near the river mouth.
Paddling through what feels like a tunnel of mangroves, the green closes in until it is hard to believe you are in central Okinawa.
Tours are guided and start with how to hold a paddle, so a first attempt is no problem. The Kadena Town Hijagawa Nature Experience Centre takes paddlers from age five.
If that appeals, take a look on GetYourGuide or Viator.
A gentle current that suits beginners
Unlike the sea there are no waves here, and the trees on either side keep almost all of the wind off.
The tide makes little difference either, so tours run to a fixed timetable — no need to check a tide table when you plan your day.
It suits anyone who finds sea activities a little daunting, and families with small children.
Waterbirds, crabs and other wildlife
The lower reaches are designated a prefectural wildlife protection area, and a lot lives here.
As you paddle you can watch waterbirds perched in the trees along the bank and crabs working their way across the mudflats at close range.
The tangle of mangrove roots shelters small fish too, which makes this a fine place for children to watch nature.
The Hija Bridge and its ryuka poem
The Hija Bridge crosses the river near its mouth.
It began as a wooden bridge, was rebuilt in stone in 1717, and in 1867 became a handsome five-arch stone bridge. Destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa, it was rebuilt after the war in its present form.
The bridge is known for a ryuka poem attributed to Yoshiya Chiru, a woman poet of the Ryukyu Kingdom: a curse on the Hija Bridge, built by a heartless person to carry her across. She is said to have composed it at the age of eight, crossing this bridge on her way to be sold to the pleasure quarter in Naha, and a stone bearing the poem stands beside the bridge.
It is worth the short walk either before or after your paddle.
Notes
- Kayaking and the other activities all require advance booking. Turning up on the day may not get you a place
- The riverbank is slippery, so wear shoes you do not mind soaking, or water shoes
- The summer sun is strong here, so bring a hat and something to drink
- The lower reaches are a wildlife protection area. Do not take anything home with you, and keep the noise down
- The river can rise after a run of rain. Whether a tour goes ahead is the operator’s call
Getting there and parking
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 566-5 Mizugama, Kadena, Nakagami District, Okinawa (Kadena Town Hijagawa Nature Experience Centre) |
| Parking | Yes |
| Restrooms | Yes |
The Hija River is just off Route 58, about 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport and about 10 minutes from American Village in Chatan.
Kayak tours meet at the Kadena Town Hijagawa Nature Experience Centre. You may be directed to park at the nearby former Kadena sugar mill site, so it is worth confirming with the operator when you book.
For the location of the Hija River, see the Google Map below.
What else is near the Hija River
Activities in Kadena Town
There are snorkelling, diving, SUP and other marine activities around Kadena Town.
As well as mangrove kayaking on the Hija River, Mizugama Coast nearby runs shore diving and snorkelling tours. A guided plan is the safer choice if it is your first time.
You can book through GetYourGuide or Viator, so take a look.
A rental car is the way to go in Okinawa
For sightseeing on Okinawa’s main island, a rental car is by far the best option.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches up north, American Village in Chatan – the places worth seeing are scattered across the island, and having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and rarely run on time, so having a car makes a real difference to the trip.
Cars book up quickly in peak season, so reserve as soon as your dates are set.
Summary
Here we covered the Hija River.
It is the class-two river with the largest catchment on Okinawa’s main island, and its great draw is the chance to paddle through the mangroves near its mouth.
Sheltered from waves and wind and with a gentle current, it suits first-time paddlers and families with small children.
The Hija Bridge with its ryuka poem and the Michi-no-Eki Kadena roadside station are both close by, so it is easy to make a round of it.
If you are heading to Kadena Town, do go and see the Hija River.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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