Location: take the IC north to Ginoza, then get on the 331 north to Higashi. A bridge goes over the river that is home to the largest (but still so small) mangrove in Okinawa. Turn right off the bridge and park along the street that parallels the river. Try to obtain a copy of the helpful brochure: Higashi village tourist guidemap, which has fuchsia bougainvilleas on the cover. The map inside is helpful, given that the phone book maps are really substandard for this area.
For those who do not own their own kayak, one and two-person kayaks may be rented from Tsunami on Foster (2-person 25$ , kayak is due back the next day by close of business; 45$ for the entire weekend). The best put-in place is near the accumulation of rental kayaks by the stairs , down by the mouth of the river 
(ie not the stairs below the observation gazebo). The goal is to put in as the tide is rising - you really need a high tide to see all the mangroves.
(ie not the stairs below the observation gazebo). The goal is to put in as the tide is rising - you really need a high tide to see all the mangroves. The navigable portion of the river doesn't go far, and there is only one detour off to the side, but it is still a lovely afternoon's pursuit to kayak the mangroves and then turn around and head out to sea. The bay that surrounds the mouth of Gesashi river has some beautiful rock formations. 
Kayaking north out of the river, the shorescape boasts beaches and pretty swirly orange rocks. If all the paddling makes you hungry, there is a reasonable cafe right by the bridge. The menu is all Japanese, but the proprietress will tell you if each main is chicken, beef, or fish. The steak set was 1200Y, and a fish dish was 650Y. The steak was a bit fatty, but tender, and came with vegetable and potato, as well as soup and salad. The fish was poached in soy-mirin-sake,. accompanied by two pieces of tofu and a bowl of miso soup. Last summer, we ordered a hamburger set and a salad with fried fish set, both of which were excellent. The local beach is the perfect spot to unwind after lunch. Gesashi Fureai Uppama Park is located on the shore east and north of town, and you have to drive through fields to get there. Parking is along the road behind the beach and by the toilet block. There is no parking or admission fee.
Kayaking north out of the river, the shorescape boasts beaches and pretty swirly orange rocks. If all the paddling makes you hungry, there is a reasonable cafe right by the bridge. The menu is all Japanese, but the proprietress will tell you if each main is chicken, beef, or fish. The steak set was 1200Y, and a fish dish was 650Y. The steak was a bit fatty, but tender, and came with vegetable and potato, as well as soup and salad. The fish was poached in soy-mirin-sake,. accompanied by two pieces of tofu and a bowl of miso soup. Last summer, we ordered a hamburger set and a salad with fried fish set, both of which were excellent. The local beach is the perfect spot to unwind after lunch. Gesashi Fureai Uppama Park is located on the shore east and north of town, and you have to drive through fields to get there. Parking is along the road behind the beach and by the toilet block. There is no parking or admission fee.