About Okinawa
It is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. It a chain of Islands called “the Ryukyu Islands”, which extends southwest from Kagoshima Prefecture on Kyushu to Taiwan. Naha, Okinawa's capital, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.
The island is mainly made up of coral. White sand beaches and crystal blue waters, jungles and rare wildcats, centuries of unique native traditions, the birthplace of karate — this is Japan’s very own tropical island paradise.
Okinawa prefecture offers a remote yet accessible getaway that deserves Bora Bora-levels of holiday brochure stardom. It has some of the world’s best scuba diving, gorgeous hiking, acclaimed music and a distinct food culture centered around medicinal ingredients that sustains Japan’s longest-living citizens.
During your stay, you can enjoy the local delicacies. If you like salads, try “umibudo (Sea grapes)”. This is a kind of seaweed with little bubbles at the end of the stems. They are eaten dipped in soy sauce and vinegar. It’s known to be full of minerals and nutrients.
Also Goya (bitter melon) is widely eaten in Okinawa. If you are interested, try “Goya Champuru (Bitter melon, tofu, egg, and sliced pork and spam)”. It is bitter but tasty. Some people say it is an acquired taste, but I know many first time visitors enjoying this dish for the first time.
If you are a meat lover, you should try “Rafte (pork rib)”. Stewed in soy sauce and fish broth, you can enjoy the tasty, melting pork in your mouth.
Diving Wise, the Island chain offers divers the tropical diving paradise. There are many resort hotels all round Okinawa so you can stay, dive and enjoy your vacation in a very tropical way.
Local Areas