About OkinawaThe prefecture of Okinawa is the most southern of the 47 prefectures in Japan and is made up of about 160 islands (only 44 of which are inhabited), which were previously part of the independent nation Ryukyu Kingdom. It is located in the East China Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, between mainland Japan and Taiwan and extends 400 km from north to south and 1000 km east to west. The capital of Okinawa is Naha, situated on the largest and most populated island, Okinawa Island. The islands that make up the prefecture now are divided into three archipelagoes: Okinawa, Yaeyama and Miyako.
The Ryukyu Kingdom was invaded in 1609 by the Satsuma clan, from the Kagoshima Prefecture and although they controlled the majority, the locals still upheld some political independence. However in 1879, after the Meiji Restoration, the Ryukyu Kingdom was forcefully incorporated into Japan, and the colony was called the Okinawa Prefecture.
Between 1945 and 1972, following the Battle of Okinawa and World War II, the US military governed Okinawa; hence the abundance of military bases found there. Subsequently, on 15th May 1972, Okinawa became part of Japan once more.
The many castle ruins on the island of Okinawa date back to the time when it was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom, a prosperous trading nation thanks to its closeness to Japan, China, Korea and South East Asia.
The beaches of Okinawa are reported to be the best in Japan and with its coral reefs, limestone caves and its sub-tropical climate, it makes an idyllic holiday destination, popular with both Japanese and foreign visitors alike with marine sports, inculding scuba diving, fishing and surfing being particularly popular. Gyokusendo, the 5 km cave in Okinawa Honto and Shuri-jo castle and park (where the Ryukyu royal family lived for over 400 years) are two of the most popular tourist attractions.
Okinawa is a producer of many tropical fruits including bananas, pineapples, papayas, guavas, mangoes, passion-fruits and also sugar-cane.
The Okinawan language differs greatly from mainland Japanese but nowadays few Ryukyuan languages remain, due to the use of Standard Japanese on the radio, television and government. Despite Japanese influence the Okinawans still conserve many of their traditions, including the Cherry Festival held every year mid-January and early February in Nago and Motubo, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
Possibly Okinawa’s most famous cultural export would be Karate, which probably developed after the ban on weapons for a large part of its history. It is thought to be a cross between Chinese Kung Fu and Okinawan martial arts and there are various styles: Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Goju Ryu and Shorinjiryu.
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