Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture, located at the southwesternmost end of Japan, is composed of the Okinawa Islands, the Sakishima Islands, and the Daitō Islands. The prefecture consists of 160 islands in total, of which 49 are inhabited. Although its land area is only about 2,281 square kilometers—making it the fourth smallest prefecture in Japan—its jurisdiction covers vast surrounding seas. Overall, it stretches about 1,000 kilometers east to west and 400 kilometers north to south, roughly half the size of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu combined. Okinawa has a typical subtropical monsoon climate: warm throughout the year with abundant rainfall. While summers are hot under the influence of the Kuroshio Current, extreme heat is rare, and winters rarely dip below freezing. Frequent typhoons have earned it the nickname “Typhoon Ginza.”

Historically, Okinawa has a unique identity. The Ryukyu Kingdom once established its rule here and developed a distinctive culture through trade with China, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Diplomatically, the Ryukyu Kingdom paid tribute to China while simultaneously falling under the influence of Japan’s Satsuma Domain, occupying a delicate position between great powers. In 1879, the Meiji government abolished the Ryukyu Kingdom and formally established Okinawa Prefecture. During World War II, Okinawa was the site of the only large-scale ground battle in Japan, the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, which caused hundreds of thousands of casualties and left cities in ruins. After the war, Okinawa remained under U.S. administration, with numerous military bases established, until it was returned to Japan in 1972. To this day, the presence of U.S. bases remains a central political and social issue.

The geography of Okinawa consists mainly of mountains, hills, and plateaus. Okinawa Island accounts for half of the prefecture’s land area and is the most densely populated region. The north is mountainous, while the central and southern parts consist of limestone plateaus and karst terrain. The highest peak in the prefecture is Mount Omoto on Ishigaki Island, at 526 meters, followed by Mount Yonaha on Okinawa Island at 503 meters. Outlying islands each feature distinct natural landscapes: Miyako Island is flat with no rivers but has abundant groundwater; Iriomote Island is mountainous, with vast mangrove forests that have earned it the title “Galápagos of the East”; Yonaguni Island is Japan’s westernmost island, facing the Taiwan Strait.

Okinawa’s ecosystem is home to unique species not found on mainland Japan, such as the Iriomote cat and the Okinawa woodpecker. Three national parks— Iriomote-Ishigaki, Kerama Islands, and Yanbaru—protect its valuable natural environment. The surrounding seas, with their crystal-clear waters and expansive coral reefs, make Okinawa a paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Culturally, Okinawa retains a strong Ryukyuan heritage. Local language, music, dance, architecture, and cuisine all reflect characteristics distinct from mainland Japan. Examples include Ryukyuan dance, sanshin music, bingata dyed fabrics, and Okinawan cuisine using ingredients such as bitter melon, purple sweet potatoes, and sea grapes—all popular with visitors. Okinawa is also the birthplace of karate, attracting martial arts practitioners from around the world.

Tourism highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu,” which features Shuri Castle, Nakagusuku Castle, Katsuren Castle, Nakijin Castle, Zakimi Castle, Sefa Utaki, Tamaudun, and Shikinaen Garden. Although Shuri Castle has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times—including the devastating 2019 fire that consumed its main hall and adjacent structures—it remains a symbol of Okinawan history and spirit, with reconstruction efforts ongoing.

Okinawa’s natural beauty is equally renowned. Its coastline features pristine beaches and turquoise seas: Yonaha Maehama and Sunayama Beach on Miyako Island, Kabira Bay and Cape Hirakubo on Ishigaki Island, Ama Beach on Zamami Island, Hatenohama Beach on Kume Island, Nishi-no-hama on Hateruma Island, and Cape Irizaki on Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost point. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in the Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park is another must-see, famous for its massive tank and whale shark exhibits, making it a top family destination.