Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture in Japan. Its area is 2,276.49 km, and the population is more than 1 million people. Okinawa is the largest prefecture in Japan, which includes 160 islands. These islands are also known as the Ryukyu archipelago, and Okinawa was once a disputed territory between Japan and China. In 1972, it became part of Japan. Its inhabitants have a special culture and even language.
Prefecture History
Since the 14th century, the state of Ryukyu was located on its territory. His ruler was considered a subject of China. In 1609, the Ryukyu was captured by samurai from the Shimazu clan. Samurai retained the independence of the inhabitants of this state, but placed their governor in the capital. Since that period, Ryukyu was in vassal dependence on Japan and China.
In 1872, the Japanese government unilaterally renamed the state an autonomous inheritance, and in 1879 it became Okinawa Prefecture. Until 1912, the old management system and the method of housekeeping operated on its territory. Because of this, Okinawa Prefecture was lagging behind in socio-economic terms compared with the regions of Central Japan. Most of the population went to work in other islands.
Okinawa Prefecture suffered great damage during World War II. During the battle for her in 1945, a large number of civilians died, including due to the demands of the Japanese government not to surrender to military and ordinary residents. After the war, Okinawa was under US control until 1972, despite the restoration of Japanese independence in 1952.
But for various reasons, the US government returned the islands of Okinawa to the control of the Japanese government. Also on its territory, the Americans conducted tests of biological weapons. Now there are 14 American military bases on these islands. The capital of Okinawa is the city of Naha.
Climate features
This prefecture has the following coordinates: 26 ° 30 's. w. and 128 ° 00 'in. The climate of Okinawa in Japan is the warmest because it is located in the subtropics. There is no subzero temperature and snow in this prefecture. Because these islands are popular among tourists at any time of the year.
The average temperature in Okinawa is 23 ° C. And the heat is not so terrible for residents due to the fact that there is a clear blue sea nearby, where you can plunge. Therefore, not only tourists come to Okinawa, but also residents of other regions of Japan.
Description of the capital
This city is the largest in the prefecture and is located in its southern part on the coast of the East China Sea. On the territory of Naha was Shuri Castle, which played an important role in the state of Ryukyu. During the battle of Okinawa, this city was almost destroyed.
Great damage was done to the historical part of the capital, including the castle of Shuri, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The castle was later restored and received the status of a central park. The Central Gate is also interesting - the burial place of all the kings of the state of Ryukyu.
In the capital, Kokusai Dori Street is the most famous street in Okinawa. It is also called the "Magic Mile" because it has a large number of shops. Also there is Fukushuen Park with picturesque landscapes that look a bit like the Chinese city of Fuzhou. A monorail is thrown across Naha, which is located at an altitude of 8 to 12 m and allows you to enjoy the beauty of the Okinawa islands in Japan. But on the archipelago there are other interesting cities for tourists.
Okinawa City
It is the second largest after the capital of the prefecture. In this city, American and Japanese cultures are miraculously combined. A popular street in Okinawa is Gate Two Street, which has a large number of entertainment venues.
Once a year, a grand celebration is held in the city: theater actors perform a dance dedicated to the spirits of their ancestors. Near the city there are large tropical gardens - Southeast Botanical. Visitors will be able to see more than two thousand species of exotic plants.
Other attractions
On the islands of Okinawa in Japan, you can see other attractions. For example, the city of Chatan is a resort. It is very conveniently located for various tourist shops and catering establishments.
Also on the archipelago is worth a visit to the large Okinawa Turaumi Aquarium, located in the park. It was built in 2002, its design is elegant, and the building looks like huge feet. There you can look not only at representatives of tropical, oceanic and underwater habitats. At the upper entrance, visitors will be able to see a beautiful view of coral reefs with unique species of fish. The lower you go down, the more scenic you will see.
The northern part of Okinawa is a mountainous region. In the center are mountains ranging in height from 300 to 500 m. Residents call this area Yambaru. There you can see unique species of animals and plants.
A special place in the southern part of Okinawa is Saf Utaki, which is a sacred place and is mentioned in Ryukyu legends. It was there that the monks took dignity, and the monarch personally visited this place twice a year to pray to the gods for a good harvest and hunt. This is a triangular grotto created by nature about 150,000 years ago as a result of an earthquake. Sefa Utaki is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shopping
What is worth buying while shopping in Okinawa? In the town of Yomitan you can buy interesting and unique items made of glass, ceramics and textiles made by local craftsmen. Only in Okinawa is a unique musical instrument sold - sanshin.
In souvenir shops buy sisas - these are figures of dog-lions, which are the talismans of this prefecture. Okinawa is considered the site of karate - the art of self-defense without weapons. Therefore, there you can find many products on this subject.
If you want to buy something useful, then buy the Sikuvas lemon in the form of a juice concentrate or lemon vinegar. And if you want to get more involved in the culture, then choose something from the Ryukyus glass. There are many souvenir shops on the archipelago where tourists can buy interesting goods.
Culture features
Cultural life in Okinawa was shaped by other cultures. But at the same time, she has special directions peculiar only to this archipelago. This is karate, sanshin, a special textile dyeing technique called bingata, and a method for manufacturing glass products.
In addition, in the time of the state of the Ryukyu, its own language system and even the poetic genre, the Ryuku, appeared. In total, there are 3-4 rukus languages. Sometimes more. That is, when dialects are distinguished into an independent language. When Okinawa was ruled by foreign countries, communication in the Ryukyu languages was not encouraged. Now the prefectural authorities are striving to preserve their language system.
Kitchen Features
Okinawa is an island of centenarians, most experts believe that this is due not only to climatic features, but also to the cuisine. The cuisine of this region is different from the Japanese - it was formed under the influence of the cuisines of the countries of Southeast Asia.
The basis of the diet is not only vegetables and fruits, but also pork, which Okinawa residents consume in larger quantities, in comparison with other regions of Japan. But fish and seafood are not so popular, despite being close to the sea. Many experts in the field of medicine consider Okinawan cuisine the most useful, so in Japan there are more and more restaurants with dishes of this prefecture.