Battle of Okinawa

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Battle of Okinawa Images
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Tsuboya

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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 [...]

Nakijin Castle Ruins

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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.

Zakimi Castle

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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.

Construction of the castle began in 1416 and [...]

Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

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The Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters (JNU) was the headquarters command post for Rear Admiral Minaru Ota of the Japanese Navy. Initially, Ota had a 10,000-man strong naval force on Okinawa, most of which were supply personnel and maintenance technicians. Of the 10,000 forces on Okinawa, about 250 were trained in ground warfare, and most of that 250 was an 81mm mortar platoon. Additionally, about 1,500 of the 10,000 forces were Okinawan conscripts. Note that these forces were not part of [...]

Kerama Islands

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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 des [...]

Shikina-En Garden

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Located in Maji Naha city, the Shikina-en, the royal family�s largest country retreat garden, was constructed in 1799 as the second residence of the Ryūkyū kings. The �South Garden� as it is also popularly known, played an important role as a gateway to welcome and entertain �Sapposhi� envoys from China. �South Garden� is named to discern Shikina-en from another beautiful royal villa, Uchaya-udun which was called the �East Garden�

Shikina-en garden spans about 39,600 square [...]

The Naha City Arts and Crafts Museum

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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 conta [...]

Enkaku-Ji Soumon and Houjyo-Bashi Bridge

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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 w [...]

Tomari Ohashi Bridge

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{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 gli [...]

Peace Prayer Park

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{mosimage}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 Pra [...]

Okinawa's Yanbaru

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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 Pho [...]

Sefa Utaki

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{mosimage}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.

Like most other utaki, Sefa Utaki is located in a forested grove. To those unaware of the site's importance, the area s [...]

Katsuren

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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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Bise

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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 distanc [...]

Nago

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{mosimage}Nago, the largest city in northern Okinawa, is best known for its cherry blossom festival. The first cherry blossoms that bloom in Japan are found in Nago at the end of January. During this time the 2,000 cherry blossom trees that surround the ruins of Nago Castle come into full bloom.

Not only home to Japan's early blooming cherry blossoms, Nago is also home to Okinawa's Orion Beer brewery, scenic landscapes, a 300-year-old Chinese banyan tree, resorts, and theme parks.

Nakamura House

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Nakamurake (Nakamura House) is located in Kitanakagusuku Village in the south-central portion of Okinawa, and was the home of the Nakamura family for eleven generations. It is considered one of the best examples of traditional Ryukyuan architecture, and the basic methods used to develop its structure date back to the Kamakura and Muromachi periods of mainland Japan (1185-1572). The edifice was constructed sometime after 1720, and while the influence of traditional Japanese ar [...]

Manzamo

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{mosimage}Manzamo is located near Onna Village, Okinawa Japan. The Okinawan prefecture government has declared this area a nature preserve due to it being a habitat for rare species of plant life. The area is a naturally formed cliff that exposes the beautiful Okinawa coral reefs.

Manzamo Photos
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Yomitan Village

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{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 cr [...]

Okinawa News headlines November 28

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Google News Alert for: okinawa

"The" way vs "a" way (Japan v China dept)

Atlantic Online - USA

This is the recent scene: yesterday afternoon, Naha airport, Okinawa, Japan. Line crew gassing up a Cirrus SR22: Details to notice below: crew identically ...

Japan book row reopens old wounds

Aljazeera.net - Qatar

The issue is one of the country's most notorious wartime incidents: during the US invas [...]

Blog Entries for hdr

Battle of Okinawa

Tsuboya

Nakijin Castle Ruins

Zakimi Castle

Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

Kerama Islands

Shikina-En Garden

The Naha City Arts and Crafts Museum

Enkaku-Ji Soumon and Houjyo-Bashi Bridge

Tomari Ohashi Bridge

Peace Prayer Park

Okinawa's Yanbaru

Sefa Utaki

Katsuren

Bise

Nago

Nakamura House

Manzamo

Yomitan Village

Okinawa News headlines November 28