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Hamahiga Island is a small landmass located off the Katsuren Peninsula on the eastern coast of Okinawa Honto. Roughly 2.5 square kilometers in area, Hamahiga’s small size belies its importance in Ryukyu mythology. The island’s name comes from the two communities on opposite sides of the small mass: Hama and Higa.

According to Okinawan lore, Hamahiga was the home of husband and wife Shinerikiyo and Amamikiyo (sometimes spelled Shirumichu and Amamichu), the god and goddess (respectively) assigned by their superiors to create the island of Okinawa. Having dutifully completed their assigned task, the duo settled on Hamahiga. Following a fruitful life, including raising three boys and two girls, the pair died. They are enshrined on a narrow speck of rock known as Amanji off Hamahiga’s coast. Every New Year, a noro (local priestess) comes to the grave and, together with the local population, prays for protection, good health, and prosperity. To get to Amanji, cross over the bridge leading to Hamahiga and turn left. Amanji is down and on the left.

Shinerikiyo and Amamikiyo purportedly lived in Shirumichu Cave, which is located atop 108 steps leading up a hill on the eastern coast of Hamahiga. Noro also come here during their New Year’s visit to Hamahiga, pray at the altar in front of the cave, and place a stone in the cave.

The bridge connecting Hamahiga Island to the Kaichu-doro (literally, “Road through the Sea”, also known as Highway 10) was completed in 1997. Prior to this, the only way to get to Hamahiga was to walk to it at low tide, or to take a boat or other amphibious vehicle from the mainland or a nearby island.

Historically, Hamahiga has been a community of farmers. During the first decade of Occupation, the small island supplied vegetables to U.S. military bases. But by the 1960s, demand declined, and the farmers began to face economic difficulties. Over the years, many sought employment on Okinawa Honto, with many leaving Hamahiga to be closer to their jobs. Today, the island’s population hovers around 400 or 500, with residents involved in traditional land-based farming, fishing, and seaweed farming. A small hotel has also opened near the island’s main beach, attracting tourists and divers.

Interestingly, though the nearby islands of Henza, Miyagi, and Ikei are all part of Yonashiro Town, Hamahiga is part of Katsuren Town.

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Okinawa Maps

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Battle of Okinawa Images

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The land skirmish of the Battle of Okinawa began on March 26, 1945 and lasted for about 87 days. The Americans first touched the shore of the Kerama Island, 24 kilometers west of Okinawa. Fierce fighting raged on Geruma, Aka, Zamami and Tokashiki Islands before the Kerama group was secured over the next five days. In these preliminary operations, the American 77th Infantry Division suffered 31 dead and 81 wounded, while Japanese dead and captured numbered over 650. Terrified and driven to desperation by the onslaught and the furious shelling, some islanders killed themselves, cutting off the heads of their children with sickles and hitting their wives with stones in the gruesome scenes of mass suicide.

These beautiful islands where once the terrible tragedy of mass suicide unfolded are now part of the Okinawa Seashore National Park. 22 large and small islands in the Kerama group make up the villages of Zamami and Tokashiki. Kerama Island is a group of subtropical islands and islets, located about 40 kilometers southwest from the main Island. The idyllic paradise of Kerama Islands remains largely undiscovered even though they are easily accessible by sea or air. Kerama Islands are known best for its excellent outdoor activities such as fishing, snorkeling, hiking, windsurfing and scuba diving given its wonderful lush green hills explorable by car, bicycle or bus where one can immerse in the magnificent ocean views, and extremely calm clear blue beaches suitable for any level of swimmer and constellation gazers. The islands have been retained in much the same way it did centuries ago and remained a peaceful eco-tourism destination due to environmentally protective locals who resisted commercial development. Keramas offers a handful of restaurants and bars to choose from, where one can feast on delicious food and drink, and spend the evenings mingle with the friendly locals accompanied by melodious folk songs.

Naha, located in the southern part of the largest and most populous island, the Okinawa Island, is the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture. In the feudal period, Naha is the commercial and administration center of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, and today it is the political, economical and educational center. Americans invasion during the Battle of Okinawa has more or less fused into the rich heritage Okinawa. During the years of US administration for 27 years, the people were in constant contact with another foreign culture and that makes Okinawa’s culture distinctively diversified. Okinawans formed close relations with Asia and the Pacific region, and so provided a wealth of cultural influences.

Okinawa's temperate climate and unique history gave rise to traditional arts and crafts of superb quality in various parts of the prefecture. Thus, in April 1993, the Naha City Arts and Crafts Museum opened its door to showcase the arts and crafts of Naha such as Tsuboya pottery, Ryūkyū lacquerware, Shuri fabrics, Bingata, Ryūkyū Glass and some national living treasures. The museum features standing exhibits ranging from sea-associated life-style and traditions, Ryūkyū Kingdom, outdoor display, post and pre war to the modern Okinawa. Various hands-on activities and exhibits are available in the touch-and-experience room for visitors to pick up and handle, reflect on and study. To those who wish to delve deeper into certain general exhibitions, one may find sub exhibition interesting. Five sub-exhibition rooms categorized under natural history, archeology, arts and craft, history and folk customs are arranged around the main general exhibition area. There is also a museum shop and demonstration studios where video monitors are put in the special exhibit rooms to narrate the production techniques. The standing exhibit hall displays works from studios of currently active artisans and others, and these are available for purchase. In the demonstration studios, visitors can observe the actual making of Ryūkyū Glass, pottery, fabric, Bingata and lacquerware. For a nominal, one can experience among others such as pottery and glass making. In several times a year, special and planned exhibit will be held to show results of research on artifacts and objects not only from Okinawa but around Japan and abroad. With the theme “look • touch • experience Ryūkyū” visitors are guaranteed to shelve memories that can only be gained in Okinawa.

The Ryūkyū Kingdom saga began with the Tenson Dynasty (Dynasty of Heavenly Descent), which was said to have lasted 17,000 years, and ended with three kings of the Shunten lineage. Back in the 14th century, small islands around Okinawa were unified into three principalities known as Sanzan (Three Mountains or Three Kingdoms). Each of these kingdoms – Hokuzan (Northern Mountain), Chūzan (Central Mountain) and Nanzan (Shoutern Mountain) were led by tribal chieftains. Chūzan won the battles that ensued, and was then officially recognized by the Chinese as the ruler of Sanzan. In early 15th century, the ruler of Chūzan passed the throne to King Shō Hashi, uniting island of Okinawa for the first time and began the legendary Shō dynasty.

The Second Shō Dynasty began when Kanamaru as later renamed as Shō En, an attendant to the then demised of the seventh King of First Shō Dynasty, gained Chinese investiture. Ryūkyū's golden age and royal culture started to bloom during the reign of Shō Shin, the second king of that dynasty. Over a period of 3 years from 1492, King Shō Shin built the Enkaku-ji temple, modeled after the Kamakura Enkaku-ji, to enshrine his father, King Shō En. This temple, located inside the Shurijo Park, was the chief temple of Rinzai sect of zen Buddhism and the family temple for kings of the Second Shō Dynasty. Though this site was dedicated as a national treasure in 1933, much of the temple and Shuri Castle was destroyed in one of the fiercest battles in WWII, the battle of Okinawa in 1945. Preservation efforts made the Enkaku-ji Soumon (main gate), the Ekimon (side gate) and Houjyo bridge over the Houjpo ‘lotus pond’ pond still visible today. Resembling many of the traditional village in Ryūkyū, Enkaku-ji Soumon has a red-tile gable roof, supported by eight pillars, and beams which upon closer inspection, reveals the intricate detail of the wood carvings. Thanks to the impressive restoration works, the railings on the Houjyo bridge which were designated as a natural cultural asset in 1972, are a showcase of Okinawan stone sculpture masterpiece that can still be observed today.

{mosimage}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.

The rust-red colored railings of the Naminoue Bridge sparkle in the south and a glimpse southbound to the left reveals the beautifully perched Naminoue Shrine at the water’s edge. This view affords picturesque and breathtaking beauty to the viewer. The Wakasa seashore nearby, which boasts of a 200-car parking lot and plenty of space, is a favorite with the fishermen and strollers. Closely located are the Wakasa man-made beach and the Asahigaoka Park, which makes visiting these places most convenient.

Tomari Photos

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{mosimage}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.

Katsuren Photos

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{mosimage}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.

Seen here is a small area of farmland near Okinawa's Nakijin region. In the distance the sun sets over Sesoko island.

Yanbaru Photos

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{mosimage}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.

Travelers visiting Bise will find this area of Okinawa a quiet, undisturbed area of Okinawa that looks like you have just stepped off the boat on one of the outer islands.

Bise boasts crystal clear waters and a beautiful beachline that has a view of Ie Island in the distance. Snorkelers and spear fisherman can be seen in these waters all year round.

Bise Photos

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Manza-mo (Cape Manza) is an upheaved outcropping of fossilized coral that overlooks the East China Sea. Located in Onna Village, the cape is particularly known for a distinctive formation that resulted from wave erosion and that resembles an elephant's trunk.

One of Okinawa's most visited scenic locations, Manza-mo (which roughly translates to mean "carpet capable of seating 10,000") gained its unique name during a visit from King Sho Kei in 1726. The king had been on a journey to inspect his kingdom, and when he reached Manza-mo, he verbally noted that the coral plateau was so vast that it surely was large enough to seat 10,000 of his people.

Manza-mo's beauty has also been referenced in several classical songs and works of Okinawan literature. According to writings and local lore, one female poet came to Manza-mo and received divine inspiration to write a poem for the Ryukyuan king.

Today, tour buses often haul visitors to the scenic bluff from southerly Naha City, giving them a welcome respite from urban hustle and bustle. Others staying at the nearby Manza Beach Hotel also venture over, as do locals who simply ejoy the beautiful view and spacious grounds.

{mosimage}Rich with a cultural heritage that goes back 600 years this area of central Okinawa offers a relaxing area that visitors to Okinawa can enjoy the natural beauty and traditions that Yomitan village offers.

Ancient ruins in 37 places have been discovered in Yomitan, the oldest being the Toguchiagaribaru ruins which were discovered in 2-3 meters of water. The Toguchiagaribaru ruins are remnants of ancient Okinawan earthenware. Scientists speculate this early pottery could have been crafted approximately 6000 years ago.

In 1908 Yomitan officially established it's town and village system, though long after the reversion of Okinawa, U.S. bases which host communication sites continue to occupy much of the land in Yomitan village.

From the Yomitan Village administration:

...the geographic outline of Yomitan Village resembles a phoenix flying toward the East China Sea. The head of the phoenix is Zanpa Point and its wings consist of mountains which include Takoyama and Zakimi Castle. The phoenix is carrying a coral reel in its mouth to welcome the happiness that comes from the overseas land of Niraikanai (a paradise) and goes into the golden rim of Zakimi Castle. Zakimi Castle is like a waist towel blown by the wind. The people, goods, an

Yomitan Village Map

Camp Foster Commissary/Kitamae Gate (Gate 5) | Kadena Air Base Gate 1 | Murasaki Mura | Naha Airport | Naha Port | Torii Station Main Gate | Zakimi Castle | Zanpa Cape |

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November 26 News for: okinawa

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A high-ranking official of a major luxury retailer on island has urged Guam leaders to learn from the experience of Okinawa, which managed to build a vibrant tourism industry despite hosting thousands of U.S. military personnel. Jim Beighley, research and planning managing director of DFS and a board member of the Guam Visitors Bureau, said Guam officials should consult with Okinawa, which has years of experience in integrating tourism with the military.

“For years, Okinawa suffered from the perception of being just one big military base. Now, they have managed to change that and their tourism industry is making big strides,” Beighley said. He added that Guam is at a crossroads today as it prepares to welcome thousands of additional military personnel. “We must welcome the increased presence of the military. But not at the expense of tourism,” Beighley said.

GVB has pointed out that with all the attention being focused on the military buildup, the tourism industry must not be ignored as this important sector continues to be the number one revenue earner for the island, accounting for 20,000 jobs or about one third of the island’s employment.

Recent research commissioned by GVB indicated that the image of Guam in Japan and other markets would not be harmed by the military buildup.

In fact, GVB has been actively marketing Guam to the military market not just in the Asia-Pacific area but in the mainland as well. In addition, GVB has been asking military veterans to visit Guam and other sites in the region connected with World War II.

The Guam Chamber of Commerce agrees that GovGuam must do everything possible to protect what Beighley described as a “fragile” industry, especially with an estimated 25,000 more people coming to Guam and enjoying the island’s beaches and other natural attractions.

With Guam basically doing Okinawa a favor by agreeing to host the relocated Marines, GVB said GovGuam should ask the Japanese government to help out in persuading more Japanese tourists to visit Guam.

Although the island of Okinawa may be losing some of its U.S. military units to Guam, it is gaining something just as important — Japanese tourists.

The prefecture has been hosting thousands of non-Okinawan couples. In contrast, there were only 200 such ceremonies conducted in Okinawa in 1999.

According to GVB, Okinawa has been very aggressive in its pursuit of the wedding market and has become a major competitor of Guam.

Beighley said Guam is losing many Japanese tourists to Okinawa and GVB must continue its efforts to diversify its markets.

“We are too dependent on Japan,” Beighley stressed. Approximately 80 percent of Guam’s 1.2 million visitors come from Japan.

The proper way to wear a yukata is not necessarily obvious. The left side of the yukata is wrapped over the right side, and an obi (belt) is used to keep the yukata from falling open when worn in public. In private, as after a bath, the yukata is usually simply belted. Also, a type of thonged wooden sandal called geta is usually worn with the yukata.

Amongst men, the most common use of yukata in public is when it is worn by sumo wrestlers. Junior ranked sumo wrestlers are expected to wear yukata when out in public, irrespective of the weather conditions or time of year. During the summer all wrestlers tend to wear this attire. Both men and women often wear yukata at traditional Japanese hotels, especially ones with their own onsen. After checking in, people often change into the yukata provided by the hotel. Many go for walks outside, to the public baths, and even to dinner and breakfast (taken in a communal dining room) in their yukata.

Chinese characters came to Japan from China with Kanji articles on which they are written. Their early instances include a gold seal discovered in 1748, which was identified as the one given by the emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty in 57 CE. It is not clear when Japanese people started to command Classical Chinese by themselves.

At first documents were probably written by Chinese immigrants. For example, the diplomatic correspondence from King Bu of Wa to Emperor Shun of the Song Dynasty in 478 has been praised for its skillful use of allusion. Later, groups of people called fuhito were organized under the monarch to read and write Classical Chinese. From the 6th century onwards, Chinese documents written in Japan tended to show interference from Japanese. This suggests the wide acceptance of Chinese characters in Japan.

When first introduced, texts were written in the Chinese language and would have been read as such. Over time, however, a system known as kanbun emerged, essentially using Chinese text with diacritical marks to allow Japanese speakers to read the characters in accordance with the rules of Japanese grammar.