Okinawa

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Okinawa

The warm climate of Okinawa and its distinct culture makes you feel as if you weren't in Japan. It consists of the main island, Ishigaki, Miyako, Iriomote, Kerama, and many islands of various sizes.
Because the islands are located in the outer sea, the water is beautiful.
Many divers who come here say, “The waters of Okinawa are the best in the world”.
People who want to spend their vacation actively, those who want to have a relaxing time, from young to old, men and women?there is always a good way to spend the time for anyone who visits Okinawa. It is the top resort area in Japan full of tourist sites and resort hotels, and competitive to other resorts in the world.

Shurijo Castle
Shurijo was the castle of the Ryukyu Dynasty.
It was destroyed in the Okinawan War but was restored in 1992.
In December 2000 the site itself (not including the architects) was registered as World Heritage.

http://oki-park.jp/shurijo-park/english/index.html

Chura-umi Aquarium
This aquarium that was established in 2002 houses the world's largest indoor aquarium called “Kuroshio no Umi (Sea of the Kuroshio Current)” which is also on the Guiness Book of Records.

http://www.kaiyouhaku.com/en/index.html

Ryukyu Mura Village
It is an amusement spot where the old Okinawan culture is reproduced.
Here you could experience the traditional Okinawan culture such as Aizome (indigo dyeing), pottery, weaving, and Bingata (a method of dyeing).
There are also various entertainments such as Eisa and Karate performance that give you a touch of the traditional Okinawa.

http://www.ryukyumura.co.jp/

Manzamo
Its name “Meadow to seat ten thousand” was given by the king of the Ryukyu Dynasty because of the beautiful grass that grow there.
The cliff has a unique feature that looks like an elephant's trunk stuck to it, reaching into the beautiful blue sea.

http://www.vill.onna.okinawa.jp/

Ishigaki-jima Island
It is the center of politics and economics of the Yaeyama Islands.
It is located closer to Taiwan than Naha, where the prefectural government office resides.
Greenery is abundant, and in the Miyarakawa River the largest group of mangroves in Japan grow.
Part of this area is protected according to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Club Med Kabira is also located on this island.

Iriomote-jima Island
More than 90% of the island is covered with wild forest.
It is full of rare plants and animals such as the Iriomote-yama-neko (mountain cat), a special national treasure.

Taketomi-jima Island
People on this island are very keen about the preservation of the streetscape and culture so there are many restrictions such as that residents must be one story high with red tiled roofs, and no commercial signs may be put up.

Miyako-jima Island
This island was formed by the uplift of limestone.
It is the only big island among the Ryukyu Islands where the Habu snake does not live

*Okinawans are normally not very conscious about time
*A monorail connecting the airport and downtown area was recently established, but public transportation is scarcely available. We recommend you to rent a car there to get around.

For further Okinawa tour guide go to:

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/index.php?current=General_Page&action=Top_Page&mode=isel&lang=en