The Okinawa Islands form the main group of the Japanese Ryūkyū archipelago. They include the homonymous island together with other minor ones and are part of the Okinawa prefecture whose capital is Naha.

photo credits: jw-webmagazine.com

The famous martial art of karate comes from Okinawa. This is an art created following the fusion of Chinese martial arts with the Okinawa-te (then subdivided into Naha-te, Shuri-te and Tomari-te).

Also, the island of Okinawa is the largest in the archipelago and is the 287th largest island in the world. The subtropical climate of these islands supports a dense rainforest, maintained by the monsoon season that occurs in late spring.

Okinawa has many landmarks, perhaps too many. It is a destination that cannot be missed in our Japanese travel itinerary. Here we wanted to collect what we think are the best locations to visit. However, our advice is to dedicate as much time as possible to this islands, also called Japanese Polynesia.

Shuri Castle

Shuri was the ancient capital of the Ryukyu kingdom and the castle was the administrative centre and residence of the royal family. Shuri Castle (Shuri-jo) is located on a small hill overlooking Naha. The original structure was destroyed during the Second World War and later rebuilt. The area was reopened to the public in 1992 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan by the USA.
Today the castle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

photo credits: wikipedia.org

Seminational park of Okinawa Senseki

This is the place where the famous battle of Okinawa took place during the Second World War, the park is dedicated to the approximately 200,000 victims of the conflicts. Of particular importance are the Memorial Museum of Peace with several pieces that refer to the war. We remember in fact the objects of the fallen, their photos during the war of Okinawa and the Cornerstone of Peace with all the names of the fallen. On June 23 in 1945 the Japanese army stopped resisting. This is the day on which the commemorative ceremony for the war dead is held every year.

photo credits: wikipedia.org

Sefa Utaki

Sefa Utaki is an important sacred place for Okinawan religion located on Kudaka Island. It is located on a hill with rock formations connected by pedestrian paths. The English translation of the word Sefa-utaki is “purified place of Utaki”. This site is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

photo credits: japan-guide.com

Shikinaen Garden

The Shikinaen garden was built at the end of the 18th century and was the second residence of the kings of Ryukyu. Here you can find wooden buildings in Okinawan style, with red tiles and a central pond.

photo credits: giapponepertutti.it

Tamaudun Mausoleum

The Tamaudun mausoleum was built around the beginning of the 16th century for the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was restored after suffering serious damage during the war and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

photo credits: sobre-japon.com

Ocean Expo Park

The Ocean Expo Park is a large park on the tip of the Motobu peninsula, in the north of Okinawa Honto. This attraction was built in 1976 to commemorate the Okinawa International Ocean Expo held the previous year. The main attraction of the park is the Churaumi Aquarium, called the most beautiful aquarium in Japan.

photo credits: worldsciencemuseums.altervista.org

Kokusai Dori

Kokusaidori (literally “International Road”) is the main road that extends for about two kilometres through the centre of Naha. The street is named after the previous “Ernie Pyle International Theater”, a cinema built along the road after the war.

photo credits: japan-guide.com

Hiji waterfall

The Hiji waterfall is located in Yambaru Honto, in the northern part of Okinawa. Here the population density is very low and most of the territory is covered by natural forests. The waterfall can be accessed via a hike along a path through the forest. However, the trail was damaged by a typhoon in 2012 but reopened in April 2013.

photo credits: ilgiappone.wordpress.com

Ruins of the Nakagusuku, Katsuren and Zakimi castles

Another very interesting destination is the ruins of the Castles of Nakagusuku, Katsuren and Zakimi of which these last two are UNESCO heritage.

The first stands 150 meters above sea level and was originally built by the Aji clan in the 14th century. Later, Gosamaru extended it in the 15th century before finally falling into the hands of Awamari-san. This castle today is part of the UMA.

photo credits: travel.sygic.com

Katsuren Castle, on the other hand, was owned by Awamari-san. In the fifteenth century, he put real power in serious difficulty because of his rebellious character and his military conquests.

photo credits: it.depositphotos.com

Zakimi Castle was built in the fifteenth century by the legendary warrior Gosamaru. Known for its military constructions, this castle is the first example of a stone portal existing on the island of Okinawa.

Mihama American Village

The Mihama American Village is a large entertainment complex located in the centre of Okinawa Honto. Many American military bases are in the area and the entertainment complex is a much sought after diversion for the locals. The Mihama American Village has many shops, restaurants, cafes and ample parking.

photo credits: en.japantravel.com

Okinawa World

Okinawa World is a park dedicated to Okinawan culture. The main attractions of the park are a large natural cave (Gyokusendo), a craft village and a snake museum.

photo credits: city-cost.com

Let’s move on to nature because it is true that Okinawa is tradition and history, but it is also a natural paradise to live. There are many dream beaches where you can spend unforgettable moments, but for you, we have chosen the best ones. Tell us what you think of our selection!

The beaches of Okinawa: Manza Beach

The soft sand beach is part of the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort, whose building overlooks the 300 meters of the beach.

photo credits: okinawatravelinfo.com

The beaches of Okinawa: Moon Beach

Moon Beach is a beach located within the grounds of Hotel Moon Beach. The beach stretches for 150 meters and is often very crowded. There is an area reserved for swimmers, umbrellas and volleyball nets.

photo credits: hotelmoonbeach.moonhotelsandresorts.com

The beaches of Okinawa: Sunset Beach

Do you want to enjoy sunsets? Then you can’t miss Sunset Beach. It is located right next to the Mihama American Village. The beach is about 250 meters long and is located in a small artificial bay on the western shore.

photo credits: oki-islandguide.com

The beaches of Okinawa: Emerald Beach

Emerald Beach is located within the Ocean Expo Park on the Motobu peninsula. The beach is divided into three sectors and each of the three areas is about 150 meters long.

photo credits: okinawatravelinfo.com

The beaches of Okinawa: Okuma Beach

Okuma Beach is a beach located within the JAL Private Resort Okuma. It is located in the north of Okinawa Honto, the least densely populated area. The beach stretches over a kilometre along the coast.

photo credits: marshallsabroad.com

If you really can’t leave yet, we want to recommend a movie to enjoy the beauties of Okinawa: Karanukan (カ ー ラ ヌ カ ン). Romantic but with the aim of showing the beauty of this country, the film tells the story of photographer Hikaru Ooyama (GACKT) who decides to visit Okinawa. There, he meets Mami Ishigaki (Suzuka Kimura) and is fascinated by it, so much so that he chooses her as a model. During a photoshoot in the Yaeyama Islands, Hikaru is hit by a beam of light that momentarily causes him to lose consciousness and trace his muse. His life, from that moment on, is dedicated to finding Mami among Okinawa’s incredible dream places. If you want to anticipate these magnificent places, Karanukan is the right movie for you.

photo credits: gacktitalia.com

Usually, I only write articles of some interest to me, by now you know that I deal with Japanese history, Samurai and Japanese companies in Italy. I travel rarely, but this time passion has spoken for me.
As soon as you have the chance, leave for this wonderful island. You will discover that all the places you have always heard about, all the beaches, all the places you have always dreamed of, all come together here, in Okinawa.