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Okinawa was once an independent kingdom, called Ryukyu Kingdom, which actively traded with various East and Southeast Asian countries at that time. And it was also under the administration of the United States. Such experiences have given Okinawa a unique history from other regions of Japan. Okinawa has developed its own mixture of diverse culture influenced by China, Japan and other Asian and Western countries.
Okinawa Prefecture
Naha
Japanese
1.4 million
Subtropical oceanic climate
2 International Airports (Naha International Airport and Ishigaki International Airport)
9.5 million
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Tourism, transportation and logistics
There are numerous archaeological sites in Okinawa dating from the Ryukyu Kingdom. Of these, nine sites were inscribed as World Heritage sites in 2000. The castle sites have distinctive beautiful stonewalls gently curving around elevated positions on top of hills. The other related properties are magnificent structures symbolizing the kingdom’s history, including a garden, the royal family’s tomb and sacred sites.
During World War Ⅱ, Okinawa became the battlefield in which residents were caught, and many precious lives and irreplaceable cultural assets were lost.
In the Peace Memorial Park, the Cornerstone of Peace monument has been erected, which is inscribed with the names of all those who lost their lives during the Battle of Okinawa. Many visitors come to this park to pray for repose of the souls of war victims and everlasting world peace.
Karate, which originated in Okinawa, is said to be rooted in the art of self-defense practiced by the gentle class of the Ryukyu Kingdom, called Samure, as part of their education.
Due to the influence of emigration and postwar American rule, karate spread throughout the world. Today, it is said to have around 130 million enthusiasts worldwide.
At the Okinawa Karate Kaikan, visitors can learn and experience the essence of traditional Karate through exhibitions or workshops
There are three national parks in Okinawa. People enjoy Nature-based activities, such as trekking and canoeing, in Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park in the Yaeyama Islands and Yambaru National Park in the northern part of the Okinawa Main Island. The latter of the two is home to a rich subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forest, mainly of the pasania tree, and a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the Okinawa rail and the Yambaru long-armed scarab beetle, as well as rare species.
The Kerama Shoto National Park has some of the clearest waters anywhere in the world and its beautiful sea is home to abundant corals and fish populations. Visitors may experience scuba diving, snorkeling, whale watching, and other marine activities there.
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