One of the most recommended traditional experiences unique to Okinawa is a water buffalo cart ride. Being gently rocked by a water buffalo as you sway along will allow you to experience Okinawa's nature and culture, creating unforgettable travel memories. This time, we'll introduce five recommended spots in Okinawa where you can enjoy a water buffalo cart ride.

Bise Fukugi Tree Line

You can also ride a water buffalo cart at the Bise Fukugi Tree-lined Street in Motobu Town, in the northern part of Okinawa Island, which boasts approximately 2 Fukugi trees. The Fukugi tree-lined street itself is a popular tourist spot, and its proximity to the Churaumi Aquarium makes it easy to incorporate into your sightseeing route, which is a major plus.
The water buffalo cart tours are operated by Fukugi Namiki Kanko, which has its office just before the entrance to the Fukugi tree-lined street. The tour takes 20 minutes and costs 2,000 yen for up to 4 adults, making it a very reasonable price for groups.
However, please note that they are only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 15:30, reservations are not accepted, and they may close early if there are no customers.

The stingray

Located in Uruma City in the central part of Okinawa Island, "Bios Hill" is a nature park where you can enjoy subtropical plants and lakes. You can take a leisurely tour of the park, surrounded by tropical flowers and forests, in a water buffalo cart.
During opening hours (9:45 AM to 4:45 PM), you can take a water buffalo cart ride every hour at 15:45 AM, traveling along a path surrounded by palm trees and colorful flowers. The ride takes approximately 25 minutes and costs 2,200 yen for adults and 1,100 yen for children. The park also offers lake boat tours and opportunities to interact with plants and animals, making it popular with families. A key feature is that the water buffalo cart rides operate at fixed times, regardless of whether it's a weekday or weekend.

Fukurashaya

At "Fukurashaya" in Kin Town on the east coast of Okinawa Island, you can take a leisurely stroll along a mangrove forest boardwalk in a water buffalo cart. The water buffalo cart tour is only available during low tide (morning or afternoon), and includes commentary from local guides about mangroves, wild birds, and aquatic life! This tour allows you to feel at one with nature while being soothed by the swaying of the water buffalo and the sound of the sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument). Opening hours are 8:30 to 17:30. The tour takes about 50 minutes, including check-in time. The price is 1,800 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children.

Taketomi Island

Taketomi Island, with its traditional red-tiled houses, coral stone walls, and white sandy paths, offers a quintessential Okinawan landscape. A water buffalo cart tour through the village is a popular activity. Enjoying the old-fashioned streets accompanied by sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument) music, you can truly experience Okinawan traditional culture. With its stunning photo opportunities, Taketomi Island feels like a tourist spot in itself, offering a truly special Okinawan experience.

The tour takes 25 minutes and costs 3,000 yen for junior high school students and older, and 1,500 yen for children aged 3 and older (prices may vary depending on the season). Reservations are generally not accepted, but some tours organized by boat companies (An'ei Kanko, Ishigaki Dream Kanko) allow advance booking.

Upon arriving at Taketomi Island, board the shuttle bus from the Taketomi Tourist Center and register at the office. Please note that the Taketomi Tourist Center only accepts cashless payments (cash is not accepted).

由布島

The only place you can experience crossing the sea by water buffalo cart is between Iriomote Island and Yubu Island! Yubu Island is like a botanical garden all over. There's also a cafe, so it's recommended as a half-day sightseeing spot.
The journey takes approximately 15 minutes one way, and the round-trip fare is 2,000 yen for adults.

Final thoughts

A water buffalo cart ride is a special activity that allows you to fully experience Okinawa's relaxed pace of life, nature, and culture. On the main island, you can easily enjoy the experience, while on the outlying islands, you can sightsee against the backdrop of magnificent nature and traditional villages. Depending on your travel plans, why not try a water buffalo cart ride, an experience you can only have in Okinawa?