 Naminoue Shrine (Naminoue-gu) is a Shinto shrine located on a bluff overlooking the East China Sea in Naminoue, not far from present-day Naha Port. |
 Chatan Town is located in the central portion of Okinawa, bordered by Kadena Town to the north, Ginowan City to the south, and Okinawa City, Kitanakagusuku Village, and Futenma to the east. Chatan is particularly well known to Americans on the island, as the presence of three bases (Kadena Air Base, Camp Lester, and Camp Foster) within the town’s borders gives it a very western feel.
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 The Okinawa Convention Center is major civic center used for local and international events and is located in the western portion of Ginowan City.
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 The ruins of Nakijin Castle are located on the Motobu Peninsula in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan. The castle was built in the 13th century during the Sanzan, or three kingdoms, period. During this time, the island of Okinawa was divided into northern, central, and southern kingdoms, each of which was controlled by a different ruler. Nakijin Castle was the seat of the northern kingdom (known as Hokuzan) until the three kingdoms were unified by Sho Hashi in 1429.
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 Tsuboya is a district in Naha, Okinawa famed for its collection of potters. Homo sapiens on Okinawa first began using vessels made of earthen materials more than 6,600 years ago. The creation of such vessels changed tremendously, however, when the island began trade with China and Kyushu (the southern portion of mainland Japan) during the 12th century. Okinawa’s trade levels reached new highs in the 16th century (trading with nations as far away as Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand), so local artisans took up the craft of pottery both to supply local markets and to export. Thus, kilns began to appear across the island.
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 The ruins of Zakimi Gusuku (Zakimi Castle) are located in Yomitan Village, in the central portion of Okinawa. Built during the era leading up to the consolidation of the three kingdoms of Ryukyu, the castle sat in an optimal location, perched some 125 meters (425 feet) above sea level, with views of Onna and Motobu to the north, the territory of the Chuzan (Central Kingdom) to the east and south, and the Kerama Islands to the west.
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 Tengu are mountain and forest goblins with both Shinto and Buddhist attributes. Their supernatural powers include shape-shifting into human or animal forms, the ability to speak to humans without moving their mouth, the magic of moving instantly from place to place without using their wings, and the sorcery to appear uninvited in the dreams of the living. Seen here is a Shinto priest in Naha City, Okinawa Japan wearing a Tengu mask at Naminoue Shinto Shrine.
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 The Tomari high Bridge that runs a length of one-kilometer over the Tomari Harbor took twelve years to construct, from 1974 to April 1986, when it was opened for the public. This bridge forms part of the coast road from Naha Port to the Aja New Port and the amazing view needs to be seen to be believed. View of the East China Sea competes with the Kerama Island group in the far off distance.
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 Cafe Nirai will showcase the photography of John R. Burgreen III from April 17 through 22. Though well known for his award-winning artistic layouts and HDR Photography, this is the first exclusive viewing of Mr. Burgreen's work. Large and small photographic prints showcasing the beauty of Okinawa and Japan will be on display. Photographers and art enthusiasts are encouraged to stop by to view the pieces. All 16x20 and 20x30 prints will be signed and numbered. All prints in this show will be available for the first time and will be numbered "1". Cafe Nirai is located in Mihama, near the Sunabe Seawall.
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 Peace Prayer Park (Okinawa Heiwa Kinen Koen), located on and around Mabuni Hill (Hill 89) on the southern portion of Okinawa, Japan, is a large complex dedicated to the memories of those that died during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After Okinawa reverted from American to Japanese control in 1972, construction of the park began. The park is at once a destination for visitors and a sacred location for prayer and reflection. It is comprised of four zones: the Peace Zone, the Prayer Area, the Peace Ceremony Zone, and the Recreation Zone.
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 Over one thousand years ago, the art of yabusame, or Japanese archery performed on horseback, was used in battle during the era of the Japanese samurai. During the Kamakura Period, archery on horseback was used as a military training exercise to keep samurai prepared for war. Those archers who did poorly might find themselves commanded to commit seppuku, or ritualistic suicide.
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 Sefa Utaki is the most sacred site on Okinawa and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Utaki is a hogen (or Uchinaguchi, the language of the Ryukyus) word that means "a place enshrining the gods." Okinawans believe that gods descend to utaki and individuals can communicate with them there through villages and festivals.
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 The word Yanbaru means "mountains and trees". This word is used to describe the area of northern Okinawa where the rolling hills and covered with dense forests of trees. Between these mountains lay farmland that remains preserved far out of the eye of modern day Okinawa. Beautiful vistas can be seen all throughout Okinawa's northern Yanbaru.
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 Images from the quiet area of Okinawa known as Katsuren. The most traveled part of Katsuren is Katsuren Castle, yet the area surrounding Katsuren Castle is covered in sugarcane farms and beautiful beaches that line the western side of the island of Okinawa. Pictured below is an 80-year-old sugarcane farmer in Katsuren Village.
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 Bise is a small area in northern Okinawa best known for it's Fukugi trees that line sandy paths through a village that is hundreds of years old. These trees serve as protection from strong typhoon winds.
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