Okinawa Island belongs to the Ryukyu Archipelago. He is the largest among his other “brothers”; There are several settlements on its territory. The island has a large concentration of entertainment venues, cafes and restaurants, and historical attractions. Okinawa also boasts a large number of resort coasts, which invariably attracts streams of tourists to the island. On the map, Okinawa is located slightly southwest of Japan itself, in the waters of the East China Sea. These islands are just a stone's throw from Taiwan. The length of the island is about 112 km. You can get to Okinawa from Tokyo and Osaka, where flights depart regularly.
Interesting
- When meeting, the Japanese always bow , before their superiors they bow at an angle of 45°, before their clients - 30°, and before their colleagues - 15°. The Japanese are always very polite and don't take tips unless you tell them what they can spend the money on. In the country it is not customary to point a finger in the direction of something; it is customary to indicate the direction with an open palm;
- Okinawans speak their native language and honor their folk traditions. They do not compare themselves with the Japanese living on neighboring islands, and most do not trust them;
- The city's inhabitants call themselves "sea people" (uchinanchu), and their own islands are called "Sima" (shima);
- If you drink alcohol at the table, monitor the amount of alcohol in the glasses of your friends. In Japan, refilling an empty glass is always good manners;
- a martial art as karate was created The city is becoming more popular thanks to local talented musicians and local dishes. Local music is a kind of mixture of jazz-rock (American) and Japanese national motifs.
Day 7
What would you like to do on your last day in Okinawa? Have you forgotten to buy souvenirs for your friends and family? We invite you to spend this day shopping. For this purpose, we advise you to visit the three most popular places.
T Galleria by DFS is a luxury brand paradise. In this shopping center you will find a large selection of all kinds of goods. You can buy the goods you like at duty-free prices.
On Kokusadori Street you can also buy any kind of souvenirs - from snacks and alcohol to T-shirts and interesting accessories. The most popular souvenirs among tourists are figurines of the lion Shisa (symbol of Okinawa) and Okinawan sake Awamori. Along the street there is a string of all kinds of shops and souvenir shops, where you can choose all the necessary gifts for family or friends.
But if you haven't had time to go shopping, don't despair. At Naha Airport, you can also buy most souvenirs on the second floor.
We will be glad if our advice will help make your vacation in Okinawa exciting and unforgettable. In any case, it is worth visiting these islands, as they are unlike any other country in the world, including Japan itself. Here you are guaranteed to be able to take a break from the bustle of the city, immerse yourself in the unique culture and traditions of Okinawa, and try the world-famous perfectly balanced Okinawan cuisine. The locals are very hospitable and friendly towards tourists, and the beauty of nature, the transparency of the azure ocean waters and the purity of the snow-white beaches are difficult to describe in words.
How to get there
a direct flight to the city . The nearest airport is four kilometers away, Kadena AB. The islands are also connected by domestic flights, but a one-way ticket will cost at least 50,000 yen. To save money, it is better to use JAL's Welcome to Japan airline, then the ticket price will not exceed 12,000 yen.
from the airport to the city center by bus , which departs regularly from the terminal, or by taxi.
Where to stay
Finding accommodation in Okinawa is not a problem; there are many hotels of different classes and prices built in the city. It is better to book a hotel on Booking.com.
Choosing an area to live is quite simple . This is the safest place, according to the Japanese. On small islands people almost never lock their houses.
The people are very kind and hospitable , try couchsurfing.
A little about safety : never go near US military bases, otherwise you will face punishment.
Administrative division
Okinawa Prefecture has 11 cities and 4 counties (11 towns and 19 villages).
Cities
List of cities in the prefecture:
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Counties
Towns and villages by county:
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Attractions
- Southern Botanical Garden - in the garden you will see more than 2 thousand species of plants, palm trees, flowers and fruit trees;
- Shuri Castle - during the Three Kingdoms, this castle was the abode of the head of state, and since 1430 it has been the center of the Ryukyu Kingdom;
- Okinawa Zoo is a small zoo divided into 3 zones: “Natureland”, “Museum of Wonders” and “Children’s Center”. Despite its size of 1 km, you will happily spend a long time in it;
- Churaumi Aquarium is the largest oceanarium, with many manta rays, whale sharks and many other ocean and marine inhabitants. The area of the oceanarium is 1.9 hectares, on which there are 77 different aquariums;
- Sefa-Utaki is one of the holiest places in Okinawa, in the Ryukyu region. According to legend, the divine ancestor Amamikiyo founded as many as 7 sacred places as the beginning of a new state.
Souvenirs
Sweets and other products
Souvenirs, in the Japanese understanding, must first of all be edible. In each region, you can traditionally find food and sweets characteristic of that particular area. In the case of Okinawa, the traditional foods are fruits, vegetables and cane sugar. Well, in fact, all traditional sweets are made with similar flavors. For example, traditional mochi rice cakes with pineapple flavor. Or cookies with burnt sugar. Or chocolate with a sweet red potato flavor. You can also pay attention to local fish delicacies.
Ceramics
Pottery has been developed in Okinawa for centuries. Large and small pottery workshops can be found in almost every part of the island. Okinawa pottery makes a good souvenir from the islands, be it pottery or animal figurines.
Sisa (シーサー)
Sisa is a cross between a lion and a dog. Shisa figurines are widely used in Okinawa to decorate the entrances of temples and homes. Traditionally, two figures are placed on both sides of the entrance. On the left - with his mouth open, on the right - with his mouth closed. It is believed that these figures protect from misfortunes and serve as protectors. An open mouth symbolizes the departure of all that is bad, and a closed mouth symbolizes the preservation of all that is good.
Shisa can indeed be found in almost every Japanese home or building. And, of course, the image of sis is actively used by souvenir manufacturers. And we're not just talking about traditional Okinawan ceramics. The image of Sisa can be found on keychains, T-shirts, sweets, and postcards. Lots of humorous images of Sis in different situations.
Cloth
Looking at the clothes sold as souvenirs in Okinawa, it is not immediately clear whether such styles and colors are a consequence of proximity to Southeast Asia or American influence. However, it is worth taking a closer look at local “Hawaiian” shirts and other clothing made from lightweight materials with flowers depicted on them. For example, to stole skirts with painted flowers of the local symbol of deigo (デイゴ) or hibiscus.
Shell products
It’s hard to imagine Okinawa without the sea. In general, it is across the sea that people go there. And so it is not surprising that many souvenirs are made from or using seafood, such as seashells and sea sand. Various shapes are made from seashells. You can even find mini-lamps, the “lampshade” of which is a sea shell with some kind of pattern applied to it.
Be sure to try it
- Goya Champur – fried pork with bitter gourd and tofu;
- Sukugarasu is a small marinated fish that has been fermented. Most often served with a pressed piece of tofu;
- Hirayati - spicy flatbreads (there are practically no spicy dishes in Japanese cuisine);
- Umibudo – raw seaweed soaked in soy sauce or vinegar;
- Soki Soba – noodle soup with baked pieces of pork.
For fast food fans, the city is home to the A&W outlet center , which sells American hamburgers and root beer.
As for alcoholic drinks, it is worth trying awamori , this is a strong liquor made from rice. Of the less strong drinks, Orion beer.
Local entertainment
- The Okinawa archipelago has become the best place for diving. See corals (there are 400 species), sea turtles and a variety of other marine life. Cost of one day, including equipment rental - 15,000 - 22,000 yen;
- Sailing at Ginowan Marina. Races take place very often. It is possible to book a cruise;
- nightclubs in Okinawa that play live traditional music. The cost of entering a club can vary significantly, and it depends not on the club, but on the fame of the musicians (1000 - 3000 yen). It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the concert schedule in advance;
- Be sure to take a walk through the battle sites of the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The entire route will take up to five hours.
Facts about the Okinawa Islands
✅ The battles on the Okinawa islands were one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Both the Japanese and the Allies lost many lives; During World War II, 90% of all buildings on the islands were destroyed;
✅ The naval operation to capture the islands was called “Operation Iceberg”. 450 warships and more than 1,000 combat aircraft took part.
✅ The death toll on the Japanese side was significantly higher than that of the Allies. Almost 200,000 Japanese were killed (90,000 soldiers and 94,000 civilians). On the Allied side, 12,000 people were killed and more than 60,000 soldiers were wounded.
✅ Airplane and ferry are the only ways to get to Okinawa Prefecture.
✅ During high season, it is advisable to book a hotel in advance. The islands are popular not only among tourists, but also among the Japanese.
✅ Okinawa Japan consists of 49 inhabited islands and 111 uninhabited ones. ✅ Okinawa is the largest island of the Okinawa Islands; ✅ It is believed that the earliest settlement in Okinawa was about 32,000 years ago.
Transport
Public transport in the city is quite developed : buses, metro, monorail and taxis. You can take buses to literally all attractions. The fare is 660 yen, 2000 yen on holidays.
are inexpensive compared to other Japanese cities . Tariffing by meter (from 550 yen).
Monorail rides start at 200 yen. If you have to travel a lot, buy a one-day pass (600 yen).
Events
- Shuri Castle Festival - August 15, January 1-3 and end of October;
- Watching ;
- Flower Festival;
- Ace Festival;
- Tug of War Festival.
Shopping
No matter what purpose you come to Okinawa for, you definitely need to pay attention to shopping:
- The largest shopping center is San-A Naha Main Place, where you can buy the best equipment.
- Mitsukoshi offers a wide selection of fashionable clothing , food and local souvenirs.
- Souvenirs worth purchasing include ceramics , textiles, glassware, and unusual things such as a “Hawaiian jacket for a dog.”
- Tax-free returns in Okinawa are possible for purchases from 5.5 to 10 yen, and up to 8%.
- Valuable antiquities cannot be exported from Okinawa
Ancient history
The island surprised scientists who now have to decide whether it is the cradle of humanity. In its southern part there are many ancient caves, which gave the world several relics. Among them is a skeleton dating back 36.5 thousand years. It was found in Yamashita Cave. And in the mountain depression that bears the name, Sakitari discovered the bones of a baby that had lain there for about 30 thousand years. Local mountain depressions and depressions have given science other mysterious remains of ancient civilization.
