Okinawa Island

Japan

Okinawa Island (沖縄本島 Okinawa-hontō) is the main and largest island of the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. The island has the largest population in the prefecture.

Generally speaking, areas on the main island are placed in three categories: Southern Part (南部 Nanbu), Middle Part (中部 Chubu), and Northern Part (北部 Hokubu). The northern part is also referred to as Yanbaru.

  • Naha. — the capital city of the prefecture and by far the largest city
  • Nago. — former Expo site known for its aquarium
  • Okinawa City. - east of Chatan, largest populated city, besides Naha.
  • Itoman.
  • Nanjo.
  • Kitanakagusuku.
  • Yomitan.

Naha. — the capital city of the prefecture and by far the largest city

Nago. — former Expo site known for its aquarium

Okinawa City. - east of Chatan, largest populated city, besides Naha.

Itoman.

Nanjo.

Kitanakagusuku.

Yomitan.

  • Buckner Bay.
  • Chatan. - Home of the Mihama, American Village, and the Ferris Wheel.
  • Okuma. - an Air Force Resort, great for weekend trips to the beach.

Buckner Bay.

Chatan. - Home of the Mihama, American Village, and the Ferris Wheel.

Okuma. - an Air Force Resort, great for weekend trips to the beach.

All Okinawans speak Japanese but many, especially older citizens, also speak Ryukyuan, a separate language, pejoratively referred to as Okinawan dialect by mainland Japanese.

  • Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. The UNESCO World Heritage is composed of nine sites around the island; in Naha the Shuri castle with its Shikinaen garden, Tamadun mausoleum and Sonohyan-utaki grove. Other sites are the castle sites of Nakijin (in Nakijin), Zakimi (in Yomitan), Katsuren (in Uruma) and Nakagusuku (in Nakagusuku) plus the Sefa-utaki place of worship in Utaki.
  • Mihama American Village, 2 Chome-4-2 Mihama, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun. An Americanized shopping and dining complex made to resemble an American beach such as Venice Beach, Santa Monica, etc. Popular among U.S. military members due to its close proximity to many U.S. Marine bases. The area has a ferris wheel, a few hotels, many clothing and souvenir stores and restaurants of various cuisine, and Sunset Beach. Plus there is live entertainment almost nightly.
  • Seifa-utaki, 知念久手堅 Nanjo. In Nanjo, rock formations including a natural corridor through a giant boulder leading to a point overlooking Kudaka Island (久高島), was once worshipped as the "island of the gods".
  • Peace Memorial Park and Himeyuri Monument, Ihara, Itoman. Where the Battle of Okinawa ended in World War II. The Peace Memorial Park includes the Peace Memorial Hall and the Cornerstone of Peace.
  • Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This aquarium has a 7,500-m³ water tank with whale sharks and manta rays and is home to the world's largest living coral exhibit.
  • Cape Zanpa, 1861 Uza, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun. Peninsula on the western side of the island near Yomitan Village. Has a lighthouse and a beautiful beach. Also is where the famous sweet potato-flavored cookies are made.
  • Cape Kyan. The southern most point of Okinawa Island.
  • Cape Hedo. Northern-most point of Okinawa Island, beautiful views from high cliffs.
  • Nago Bay. Mid-island on the Western side.
  • Haneji Inland Sea. Enclosed by Yayagi Island and the western peninsula. Beautiful especially at sunset.
  • Hamahiga Island. East of Okinawa Island accessible by the Sea Road (a sight in itself). Hamahiga Island has many rock formations, many shaped like mushrooms. Hiji Falls.JPG is in wikipedia but has not been moved to commons<-->
  • Hiji Falls. In the northern part of the island, a 45-minute hike from the visitors center taking you by a river dam, over a suspension bridge, and finally to the falls itself.
  • Okinawa World, 1336, Tamagusuku Maekawa,Nanjo-city (30-minute drive from Naha Airport; 8-minute drive from Okinawa Expressway, Haebaru Minami Interchange; 1 minute walk from Gyokusendo-mae (玉泉洞前) bus stop on bus routes 51, 54, 81, 82 & 83, +81 98-949-7421. 09:00-18:00. Theme park based on Okinawa wildlife and culture, built alongside a stunning natural cavern. Walk for nearly 1 km underground and gape at the limestone formations; see snake handlers abusing habu (the local poisonous reptile) for your amusement; admire the skill and energy of the folk dancers and musicians; try your hand at folk craft; enjoy the local beer and liquor; and a few other fun attractions. ¥1100-1600 for adults, ½ price for children.

  • Kokusaidori Street. Naha's main street filled with shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
  • Shuri Castle Park. Castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Also nearby is the Shikina Gardens.

Kokusaidori Street. Naha's main street filled with shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

Shuri Castle Park. Castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Also nearby is the Shikina Gardens.

Being an island, there are plenty of beaches to choose from. The most highly recommended include:

  • Emerald Beach.
  • Zanpa Beach.
  • Renaissance Beach.
  • Manzamo Beach.
  • Ikei Beach.

Emerald Beach.

Zanpa Beach.

Renaissance Beach.

Manzamo Beach.

Ikei Beach.

With the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom which once ruled Okinawa, there were many castles around the island.

  • Shuri Castle. An icon of Naha and home to Shureimon.
  • Katsuren Castle.
  • Zakimi Castle.
  • Nakijin Castle.
  • Nakagusuku Castle.

Shuri Castle. An icon of Naha and home to Shureimon.

Katsuren Castle.

Zakimi Castle.

Nakijin Castle.

Nakagusuku Castle.

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. The [[UNESCO World Heritage]] is composed of nine sites around the island; in Naha the Shuri castle with its Shikinaen garden, Tamadun mausoleum and Sonohyan-utaki grove. Other sites are the castle sites of Nakijin (in Nakijin), Zakimi (in Yomitan), Katsuren (in Uruma) and Nakagusuku (in Nakagusuku) plus the Sefa-utaki place of worship in Utaki.

Mihama American Village, 2 Chome-4-2 Mihama, Chatan-chō, Nakagami-gun. An Americanized shopping and dining complex made to resemble an American beach such as Venice Beach, Santa Monica, etc. Popular among U.S. military members due to its close proximity to many U.S. Marine bases. The area has a ferris wheel, a few hotels, many clothing and souvenir stores and restaurants of various cuisine, and Sunset Beach. Plus there is live entertainment almost nightly.

Seifa-utaki, 知念久手堅 Nanjo. In Nanjo, rock formations including a natural corridor through a giant boulder leading to a point overlooking Kudaka Island (久高島), was once worshipped as the "island of the gods".

Peace Memorial Park and Himeyuri Monument, Ihara, Itoman. Where the Battle of Okinawa ended in World War II. The Peace Memorial Park includes the Peace Memorial Hall and the Cornerstone of Peace.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This aquarium has a 7,500-m³ water tank with whale sharks and manta rays and is home to the world's largest living coral exhibit.

Cape Zanpa, 1861 Uza, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun. Peninsula on the western side of the island near Yomitan Village. Has a lighthouse and a beautiful beach. Also is where the famous sweet potato-flavored cookies are made.

Cape Kyan. The southern most point of Okinawa Island.

Cape Hedo. Northern-most point of Okinawa Island, beautiful views from high cliffs.

Nago Bay. Mid-island on the Western side.

Haneji Inland Sea. Enclosed by Yayagi Island and the western peninsula. Beautiful especially at sunset.

Hamahiga Island. East of Okinawa Island accessible by the Sea Road (a sight in itself). Hamahiga Island has many rock formations, many shaped like mushrooms.

Hiji Falls. In the northern part of the island, a 45-minute hike from the visitors center taking you by a river dam, over a suspension bridge, and finally to the falls itself.

Okinawa World, 1336, Tamagusuku Maekawa,Nanjo-city (30-minute drive from Naha Airport; 8-minute drive from Okinawa Expressway, Haebaru Minami Interchange; 1 minute walk from Gyokusendo-mae (玉泉洞前) bus stop on bus routes 51, 54, 81, 82 & 83, +81 98-949-7421. 09:00-18:00. Theme park based on Okinawa wildlife and culture, built alongside a stunning natural cavern. Walk for nearly 1 km underground and gape at the limestone formations; see snake handlers abusing habu (the local poisonous reptile) for your amusement; admire the skill and energy of the folk dancers and musicians; try your hand at folk craft; enjoy the local beer and liquor; and a few other fun attractions. ¥1100-1600 for adults, ½ price for children.

  • Go to the island's many beaches.
  • Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities on the island with an abundance of dive shops across the island. Chatan and Kadena have ports leaving for the Kerama Islands. Bluefield and Reef Encounters offer diving service in English. In addition the English speaking staff at Onna Sensui Diving Shop cover the Cape Manza area in Onna.
  • Spear fishing is another popular activity on the island.
  • Take a glass bottom boat tour, offering views of corals and fishes.
  • Ocean Expo Park— Will give you a better idea of the creatures native to the waters surrounding Okinawa Island.

Go to the island's many beaches.

Ocean Expo Park— Will give you a better idea of the creatures native to the waters surrounding Okinawa Island.

Kokusaidori Street in Naha and Mihama American Village have plenty of shops. One of the popular items to buy is an Okinawan shirt, similar to Hawaiian shirts, at the Mango House, which have various locations throughout the island, but most of them in Naha.

In Okinawa, pork is very popular. A must eat is the tebichi soba, which is pig's feet with noodles. Various other Okinawan pork products are popular there.

For sushi, Yoshi's is an excellent restaurant. It is in Chatan off Hwy 22. The Yoshi Roll is definitely worth a try! CoCo Curry House is a great cheap alternative. Try it with cheese, it's great. Yoshi's sushi is geared more to American's tastes than traditional Japanese sushi. For more traditional Okinawan sushi, Fenutin in the Mihama American Village is an excellent choice. Try the sea grapes there. They also play traditional Okinawan music there which is worth listening to, and CDs are available for purchase.

American fast food is available, including A&W.

For dessert, have Blue Seal ice cream. Many flavors are available, including sweet potato (beni-imo), the local flavor in Okinawa. Also, sweet potato-flavored cookies are popular and can be found just about anywhere.

Orion Beer is brewed locally in Okinawa. Available in just about all stores, restaurants, bars, and many vending machines. Aside from beer, a local favorite is awamori, or aged rice wine, similar to Japanese sake. Awamori differs from sake in that the former is brewed using rice from Thailand and black yeast, while the latter typically uses locally produced rice and white yeast. Most available awamori is aged at least five years, with more expensive brews being aged fifteen. Locals consume awamori with ice and water.

Check out other Okinawan islands, such as Ishigaki, Taketomi, Kume, and Iriomote.