Strung out to the south of Japan, the island chain of Okinawa reaches nearly as far as the Tropic of Cancer: pristinely white-sanded in the blue waters of the East China Sea.
Originally an autonomous kingdom, the islands were once known as the Ryukyu Islands, and have a culture, climate and cuisine that are simultaneously Japanese and non-Japanese. Okinawan architecture, arts, and cuisine are all unique to the islands. To the mainlanders, Okinawa is exotic; almost foreign.
People come here for the scuba diving and the superb beaches, and a number of world class resorts dot the coastlines. Away from the coral reefs and untouched wilderness of the more remote islands, the prefectural capital of Naha is famous for pottery and markets.
A visit to Okinawa offers an experience worlds away from the traditional temple tours of the mainland, and is a wonderful destination in its own right – particularly when the cold weather sets in on Japan’s main islands. Into Japan is delighted to include Okinawa in your tailor made tour.
