The Unique Culture of the Ryūkyū Islands
The cultural roots of contemporary Okinawa lie in the Ryūkyū Kingdom, which lasted for 450 years from 1429. This small island kingdom developed its own distinctive culture, bringing together elements from Japan, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia, and established an international position for itself through trade and diplomacy. Those are the backbone that made Okinawa's culture unique and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The traditions of the kingdom live on in the vibrant culture of the islands today.
Okinawa Prefecture is the only region in Japan that is in the subtropical zone, and is blessed with a warm climate all year round. An ocean with coral reefs, where schools of colorful tropical fish swim about, sustains various forms of life. In addition, creatures that are treasured worldwide, such as the Okinawa rail and the Iriomote cat, make their habitats in the forests of the northern part of Okinawa island and Iriomote island.
Okinawa offers outdoor adventures for the intrepid soul, culinary wonders for the foodie, fun memories for the globetrotting family and more. Discover the centuries-old temples and kingdoms that influenced Japan’s history through the ages, learn the destination’s traditional arts and handcrafts through riveting performances and hands-on activities, or dive (literally!) into the islands’ natural bounty. In Okinawa, you can have it all.
Okinawa Prefecture is the only region in Japan that is in the subtropical zone, and is blessed with a warm climate all year round. An ocean with coral reefs, where schools of colorful tropical fish swim about, sustains various forms of life. In addition, creatures that are treasured worldwide, such as the Okinawa rail and the Iriomote cat, make their habitats in the forests of the northern part of Okinawa island and Iriomote island.
Okinawa offers outdoor adventures for the intrepid soul, culinary wonders for the foodie, fun memories for the globetrotting family and more. Discover the centuries-old temples and kingdoms that influenced Japan’s history through the ages, learn the destination’s traditional arts and handcrafts through riveting performances and hands-on activities, or dive (literally!) into the islands’ natural bounty. In Okinawa, you can have it all.
