OKINAWAToo far away to be on the itinerary of most foreigners visiting Japan, Okinawa-ken is a destination worthy of consideration in its own right and a firm favorite with mainland Japanese sun-worshippers, water sports enthusiasts, and outdoor fanatics. History and culture make this Japan at its most un-Japanese; to the many mainlanders who increasingly flock there, it is Japan at its most exotic.
With an economy based on sugarcane, pineapples, and fishing, Okinawa has always been Japan’s poorest prefecture; tourism has helped the economy. Like industrialization on the mainland, however, the success of tourism has exacted a price. Large Japanese corporations went on an investment spree in Okinawa in the late 1970s, turning pineapple plantations into golf courses and dotting bays and beaches with monster concrete resorts where Muzak is piped in from speakers in the trees. That said, Okinawa is more than just a marshaling point for visiting other less spoiled islands. |
1. Yaeyama Island
The Yaeyama Islands are both the southernmost and westernmost inhabited islands of Japan. Together with the Miyako Islands and the Okinawa Islands they make up the three main island chains of Okinawa Prefecture.
With their tropical atmosphere and laid back, rural lifestyle, the Yaeyama Islands are a popular getaway destination for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of Japan's metropolises. This island paradise offers beaches, snorkeling, diving and relaxation.
Of the Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki Island is the most populated and serves as the region's transportation hub. Other islands include the jungle covered Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island, famous for its beautifully preserved, traditional Ryukyu village. Five additional islands comprise the rest of the island chain and offer beaches, snorkeling and diving.
With their tropical atmosphere and laid back, rural lifestyle, the Yaeyama Islands are a popular getaway destination for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of Japan's metropolises. This island paradise offers beaches, snorkeling, diving and relaxation.
Of the Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki Island is the most populated and serves as the region's transportation hub. Other islands include the jungle covered Iriomote Island and Taketomi Island, famous for its beautifully preserved, traditional Ryukyu village. Five additional islands comprise the rest of the island chain and offer beaches, snorkeling and diving.
2. Miyako Island
Miyako Island (Miyakojima), located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island and 100 kilometers north of the Yaeyama Islands, is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs. The sub tropical climate provides mild weather year round.
Miyako is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture. It lacks any major hills or mountains and is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of restaurants and bars. Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island. Unlike other parts of Okinawa, Miyako is free of habu snakes.
Beaches are Miyako's most famous attraction. There are picturesque sand beaches for swimming and relaxing and coral reefs that provide excellent snorkeling. While the beaches are open year round, they are best enjoyed from April to November when the air temperature consistently tops 25 degrees and the water is very warm.
When enjoying the beaches, beware of strong currents that can pull you out to sea and poisonous creatures such as Habu Jellyfish, a type of box jellyfish, that is most prevalent from June to October. Although jellyfish stings are rare, if stung you should pour vinegar over the sting, remove any tentacles, and seek medical help as it may become life threatening if left untreated.
Miyako is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture. It lacks any major hills or mountains and is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of restaurants and bars. Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island. Unlike other parts of Okinawa, Miyako is free of habu snakes.
Beaches are Miyako's most famous attraction. There are picturesque sand beaches for swimming and relaxing and coral reefs that provide excellent snorkeling. While the beaches are open year round, they are best enjoyed from April to November when the air temperature consistently tops 25 degrees and the water is very warm.
When enjoying the beaches, beware of strong currents that can pull you out to sea and poisonous creatures such as Habu Jellyfish, a type of box jellyfish, that is most prevalent from June to October. Although jellyfish stings are rare, if stung you should pour vinegar over the sting, remove any tentacles, and seek medical help as it may become life threatening if left untreated.
3. Kumejima Island
Kumejima is one of the islands that make up the Okinawa Shoto island group. It is located about 90 kilometers west of Okinawa Honto. Like many other of the small islands surrounding Okinawa Honto, Kumejima offers a much less developed version of the beaches and Okinawan culture for which the prefecture is well known. Kumejima is quite small, and traveling from one end of the island to another rarely involves a journey longer than ten kilometers.
Like elsewhere in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors. Hatenohama Beach, an approximately seven kilometer long sand bar surrounded by water just east of the island, is Kumejima's most famous attraction. The beach is highly regarded for its white sand, but can only be accessed by joining a tour. The other beaches of Kumejima are also quite attractive, and are generally less busy than the beaches found on Okinawa Honto.
Kumejima developed similarly to the rest of the archipelago, where regional rulers appeared and built castles as their seats of power. The Uegusuku Castle Ruins stand on one of the island's highest peaks, affording panoramic views of the surrounding area. However, the castle was not able to resist the forces from Okinawa Honto, and Kumejima became part of the Ryukyu Kingdom in the early 1500s.
Kumejima has two major towns, one is located around the port and is inhabited mostly by locals, while the other is a small town of hotels, restaurants and shops catering to the tourists, located alongside Eef Beach.
Like elsewhere in Okinawa, the beaches of Kumejima, snorkeling and diving are among the principal attractions for visitors. Hatenohama Beach, an approximately seven kilometer long sand bar surrounded by water just east of the island, is Kumejima's most famous attraction. The beach is highly regarded for its white sand, but can only be accessed by joining a tour. The other beaches of Kumejima are also quite attractive, and are generally less busy than the beaches found on Okinawa Honto.
Kumejima developed similarly to the rest of the archipelago, where regional rulers appeared and built castles as their seats of power. The Uegusuku Castle Ruins stand on one of the island's highest peaks, affording panoramic views of the surrounding area. However, the castle was not able to resist the forces from Okinawa Honto, and Kumejima became part of the Ryukyu Kingdom in the early 1500s.
Kumejima has two major towns, one is located around the port and is inhabited mostly by locals, while the other is a small town of hotels, restaurants and shops catering to the tourists, located alongside Eef Beach.