Tropical Paradise in Pacific Ocean

Pristine beaches, spectacular diving, and a slow pace of life, are a handful of exclusive reasons why Okinawa has become the most favorable holiday destination for local and foreign tourists. Slicing through the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean, this exotic coral bar comprises over 160 inhabited and uninhabited islands, with a population of around 1.4 million.

Stretching 5km from end to end, Gyokusendo features over 460,000 stalactites, resembling giant bamboo, wine glasses, and organ pipes. The cave was not discovered until 1967. Out of these spectacular rocks, the Kingdom Village and the Habu Park in the Okinawa World offers a different sense of traditional Ryukyu culture and a poisonous zigzag-motion adventure.

For nature lovers, Cape Manzamo is an insta-worthy place. Resembling an elephant with its trunk, the cliff stands over the East China Sea and literally means “field for 10,000 capacity”. From the center to the south, a laid-back seaside resort is long-awaited. The Umikaji Terrace is only 15 min from the airport. Do the white-washed buildings share the Mediterranean vibe?

Its history dates back to prehistoric times, where the origin of the Minatogawa people lived in this area and revolved around hunting, gathering, and fishing before the 10th century. 3 major political spheres have been developed, including the northern Hokuzan, the southern Nanzan and the central Chuzan, until they were unified by Sho Hashi, the king of Chuzan, in 1429.

Shurijo, with its stately vermilion appearance, symbolized the history and culture of Okinawa. It served as a royal residence, a government institution, and a core of religious networks. Since the kingdom used to be a vassal of China, the castle featured Chinese and Japanese culture. Sadly, this World Heritage Site is under reconstruction due to a massive fire in 2019.

Forces from Satsuma, i.e. present-day Kagoshima Prefecture, invaded in 1591. The Ryukyu Kingdom was abolished during the Meiji era and designated Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. Fierce fighting and mass suicide happened during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. Before the island returned to Japan in 1972, it was heavily influenced by American culture.

The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum explains these poignant war memories. Situated in the central Okinawa Honto, the Mihama American Village symbolized the above history. As the American military bases are located in the area, this large entertainment complex assimilates diverse influences and sets the islands apart from mainland Japan.

Naha comprises a mix of refined civilization. Kokusai-dori, aka the International Street, typifies the new city with its brimming boutiques and craft shops. Take a close to the old red-tiled Okinawan houses. They are topped with ceramic “shisa” lions, which are believed to drive away demons and bad luck. Safeguard Okinawa and let’s get lost in this paradise with a pin of Orion.