[History and cultural heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom period of Izena Island] ■ vol 2 "Shoen-o Oniwa Park" The story of how he became the king of the Ryukyus from a farmer At the age of 24, Shokin (later King Shoen) left the island. Pointing to the main island of Okinawa, he holds an "eke" (the dialect for oars) in his right hand, and a bronze statue of him standing at that time is erected. Shogane is misunderstood by the islanders and is driven out of the island. Accompanied by his then-wife and young brother, he crossed the sea in a small boat and arrived at a district called Ginama in the Kunigami district in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. There, he lives with his brother and his wife for a while, and is taken care of by the locals, but after a while, he goes to Shuri with his brother. He became a servant of Prince Yurai, the younger brother of the 5th King of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Sho Jinfuku. At that time, he began to call himself "Kanamaru". Kanemaru, who was naturally intelligent and industrious, was soon recognized for his qualities, and Prince Koshirai strongly recommended Kanemaru to King Shokin Fuku as his servant, and in 1447 Shoen began his career as an official with the low-ranking position of retainer Akato. Here, Kanemaru demonstrated his abilities and rose through the ranks to the point of wearing a yellow hachimaki, which signified the status of a high-ranking official. Then, in 1454, when Prince Koshirai ascended the throne as the 6th king, Sho Yasuhisa, he was even more important, and in 1454 he was appointed as the head of the land (lord) of Nishihara Makiri. Five years later, at the age of 45, he was appointed to the position of in charge of the country's finances and foreign affairs, and as a result, he was on the verge of the post of three commanders, which is equivalent to the ministerial class today, but his fate changed with the death of King Sho Yasuhisa. The 7th king, Shotoku, was a tyrant, and the whole country was grieving, and Kanemaru, who could not see it, did not listen to his opinion, so Kanemaru resigned his post and withdrew to the inner part of the domain. After the death of King Shotoku, a coup d'état by his vassals occurred in the royal palace, and King Shotoku's son was disposed of. The reign of the first Sho clan was interrupted here, and the vassals recommended Kanemaru to be the next king, and eventually accepted the persuasion, and at the age of 54, Kanemaru became the king of the second Sho clan of the Ryukyu Kingdom. ■Statue production: Mutsutoshi Naka (Japan plate printmaker) 　　　　　 Kurayoshi Takara (Professor Emeritus, University of the Ryukyus) 　　　　　* Both are famous people from Izena Island. * Matsugani (Machigani) = The name of King Shoen's youth when he was on Izena Island. * Kanamaru (Kanamaru) = The name of King Shoen after he left the island. * Shoen = The name of the king.

[History and cultural heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom period of Izena Island] ■ vol 1 "King Shoen's Birthplace Mihosojo" The site of the mansion where the person who became the first Sho clan "King Shoen" was born in 1415 in Izena Village, Moromi, and was born. Three kuba trees, three fukugi trees and three rocks are placed on the grounds. His umbilical cord is buried in one of the three rocks. It was built during his accession to the throne by Shoen's son, King Shoshin, who would become the third king. Next door to one of these places There is a well called "Shiohiraga". "Gar" means "well" in the Okinawan dialect In 1415, when Shokin, the king of Shoen, was born, the well that is said to have been used for the birthing bath remains as it was at that time. These places are the site of the mansion where the future King of the Ryukyus was born, so they are sacred places and are the most important places of worship on Izena Island.

NICE TO MEET EVERYONE WHO WATCHES COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! This is the Izena Island Tourism Association. Izena Island is located in the north of the main island of Okinawa, and the circumference of the island is 17 kilometers, and you can go around it in about 20 minutes by car. Izena Village, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture is an island consisting of three uninhabited islands: the main island "Izena Island", "Yanaha Island", "Gushigawa Island", and "Furujin Island". The population of Izena Island in Okinawa Prefecture is 1,322 (as of the 2020 (Reiwa 2) survey), and it is also known as the birthplace of "Shoenou", the first king of the second Sho clan of the Ryukyu Dynasty. In this first post, we will introduce Izena Island and introduce the attractions of sightseeing spots and activities. ■■Sightseeing spots on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆ Futamigaura Coast (Superb view of two rocks of Gitara) "Gitara" means a sheer rock (cliff), and the sheer rocks in the sea and land are called "sea gitara / land gitara". The Gitara Coast, which has a total length of about 1 km, is dotted with many sea and land gitaras, and it has been selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan because of the beauty of the arrangement of sea and land gitara, land and broad-leaved trees! In addition, "Mattera Beach" in the Gitara Coast area is a hidden gem beach with white sand and highly transparent blue waters. There is also a campsite. ◆ Gitara Observatory Located in the Gitara Coast area, the "Gitara Observatory" is a popular observation spot! In particular, it is also a valuable place where you can overlook the two opposite sea and land Gitara. Don't miss the starry sky and city illuminations at night. ◆ Izena Castle Ruins The altitude of the "Izena Castle Ruins" in the southeast of Izena Island is 70m. It is said that the castle was built in the Gusuku period (11th ~ 14th century) by King Shoen's grandfather "Lord Sameigawa". It is said that it was said to be an "impregnable castle" because it was cut into a pyramid shape and had precipitous cliffs on three sides. From the top of the ruins of Izena Castle, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sea. In addition, the "Izena Tama Palace" at the foot of the ruins of Izena Castle has been designated as an important cultural property of Japan. ◆ Izena Beach (Izena Beach) Located on the south side of Izena Island, this beach has a cobalt blue sea! It is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy swimming and camping, and toilets and showers are also available. * 2023 (Reiwa 5) partially unusable due to seawall maintenance work from July. ◆ Shoenwang Oniwa Park To commemorate the 580th anniversary of King Shoen's birth, it is a park that was built in 1996 (Heisei 8). There are still a steady stream of worshippers in Shoen-o Oniwa Park, and there is also the Shiohira River in the park, which is said to have been used for the birthing bath of King Shoen. It is a sightseeing spot where you can feel the history of the Ryukyu kings. ◆ Mekaruke House Designated as a nationally designated important cultural property (building), the "Meikari Family Residence" is the house where the direct family of the Mekari family lived. It escaped damage from the war and was well preserved, so it was rebuilt in Meiji 39 (1906) (1906). ◆ Samure Michi The "Samure Road" is an ancient road with a total length of 2 kilometers that was used as the only living road connecting the village of Izena and the southwestern part of Izena Island around the 12th ~ 13th century. "Samure" is a Ryukyu dialect word that means "samurai" (a samurai family related to the royal family). The quartzite (mah stone) laid on the Samure Road resembled the footprints of a samurai, so it was named the Samure Road. The Samure Road is also used as an approach road to connect the royal family's holy tomb, the Izena Tama Palace, when the Meikari family, who are relatives of the Sho family, hold the "Koji Seimei Festival", which is an event to visit the graves of their ancestors. ◆ Shirasagi Observatory Facing the sea, it is an observatory with a good view overlooking the Gitara Coast (Futamigaura) and the sea! It is a popular view spot where you can also see the ruins of Izena Castle and Yanaha Island. ■■Activity information on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆ Bicycle rental Izena Island has few gradients, so it is also recommended to rent a bicycle to visit the famous spots! While galloping through the idyllic scenery, please enjoy Izena Island. ◆ Diving, snorkeling The highly transparent sea of Izena Island is ideal for marine activities! There are plenty of highlights such as coral reefs and caves of light. There is no doubt that it will be enjoyed by both beginners and advanced players! ◆ Sea fishing On Izena Island, there are many points for chinu (black bream) fishing. The official website of the Izena Island Tourism Association also has a "Fishing Map of Izena Island", so please make use of it! ■■Gourmet information on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆ Awamori Awamori, which is made in the Ryukyu Islands, also has a sake brewery on Izena Island. Please enjoy the mellow taste of awamori! ◆Okinawa Soba in Izena You can enjoy the unique flavors of Izena Island, such as Okinawa Soba using plenty of Okinawa's specialty "Mozuku" and Okinawa Soba using rice from Izena Island for the noodles. ■■ Festivals and event information on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture ■■ ◆ Izena 88 Triathlon Tournament Approximately 600 athletes participate every year, making it the largest event on Izena Island. Healthy men and women over the age of 18 are welcome to participate regardless of nationality. The 7-hour heated competition is a must-see! ◆ Unner "Unna" is a traditional festival on Izena Island that prays for a good harvest of rice. Powerful events such as tug-of-war, snai wrestling on a plank, and the Okinawa sumo wrestling tournament will be held. ■■Accommodation information for Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ There are a variety of accommodation facilities in Izena Island, including hotels, vacation rentals, and guest houses. You can enjoy a wide range of accommodations, from facilities with a view of the beach to accommodations with a cozy atmosphere ■■Tradition of Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ One of the charms of Izena Island is the tradition of "Ihyajute". Ihyajute is a word that means "the people of Izena are compassionate." The tradition of hospitality, in which visitors from outside the island were given harvests such as fishing without discrimination, has been rooted for a long time. On the island, you can experience Ihyajute, which is still carried over to this day. You can enter the garden where tea is placed on the veranda of the house, listen to the story of the island while drinking tea, and spend a relaxing time, which is a tradition unique to Izena Island. ■■Access information to Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆ In the case of a private car From Naha Airport, take the expressway and drive north for about 2 hours, and from Unten Port (Nakijin Village), take a car ferry for about 1 hour. ◆ In the case of a taxi From Naha Airport, use the expressway and drive north for about 2 hours (fare: about 16,000 yen) About 25 minutes from Nago City to Unten Port (Fare: about 2,400 yen ~) You can also use buses and highway buses from Naha Airport. For details, please check the official website of the Izunashima Tourism Association. There are also rental car shops for cars, bicycles, mopeds, etc. on Izena Island. Please make use of it when sightseeing. COOL JAPAN VIDEOS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON IZENA ISLAND, OKINAWA PREFECTURE, SO PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO SO!

I think it's a good idea to take a walk in the villages where the old-fashioned scenery of Okinawa still remains.

Birthplace of the second Sho clan of the Ryukyu Kingdom, "King Shoen" "Izena Island" Next to Gyokuriku in Shuri, the Tama Palace of Izena, the tomb of the royal family ✨ Location: Izena Village It is carefully preserved as an important cultural property. Admission is free.

In the back is manned "Izena Island", and in the foreground is the uninhabited island "Yanaha Island"

An island ♡ where you can see the coral reef of Hart

Izena Island #Shimano Illumination 2023 will be held again this year! Please look forward to☆ミ [Night where the starry sky and illumination of Izena Island meet] #Stripe Illumination 2023 Period: 2023/12/9〜2024/1/19 Lighting time: 17:30-0:00 Location: Rinkai Fureai Park (right next to Nakata Port)

A festival to pray for a good harvest held in four villages on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture In 2024, it will be held in each village on 7/20, 7/27, 7/30, and 8/3!

Shisa / Sumanume (Okinawa soba restaurant) / At the entrance of the Okinawa soba restaurant "Sumanume" in Kokuba, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, five Shisa (Okinawan guardian gods) from Majin (demons) are guarding the shop. If there are 5 of these powerful Shisa, even Seriously won't be able to enter with this! ^^

Soki soba (Okinawa soba noodles) / Sumanume / I ate Okinawa soba at the soba restaurant "Sumanume" in Kokuba, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture ^^ This is a place I often go to, and it is a super popular restaurant that has been renovated from a traditional Okinawan tile house old folk house. There are different types of Okinawa soba noodles, but this time I ordered Soki soba and juicy (cooked rice), which are loved by all the people of the prefecture. Soki is pork ribs with bones. The soup is a bonito stock with a light and gentle taste. Stable deliciousness! It was a treat! By the way, Suma Nume is the name of the shop Suma (Shioma-ya) Nu (no) Mee (Mae).

Palm Tree Road / It is along the coast of Palm Tree Road in Toyosaki, Tomigusu City, Okinawa Prefecture. The sea was calm and relaxing. It's not a meteorite! (^^; Contrails!)

Palm Tree Road / It is a palm tree road in Toyosaki, Tomigusu City, Okinawa Prefecture. There is a promenade on the left side, and it is great to take a walk while looking at the sea. ^^ Runners also feel good~

Palm Tree Road / I went to Palm Tree Road in Toyosaki, Tomigusu City, Okinawa Prefecture. On this day (taken on November 25th), the weather was good, and Okinawa still feels good like this ~^^ It takes about 15 minutes from Naha Airport. A great spot to relax!

I summoned Shisa to Okinawa. This is Cape Zanba Park in Okinawa Prefecture. A huge Shisa watches over the ? town of Okinawa

It was a beautiful day with a °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° beautiful sunset

Fathers and mothers of Izena Island who are good at warm hospitality. The food was delicious, and I remembered that taste again after returning home...

Nagahama Beach, Nago City, Okinawa I came to this sea that I found by chance 5 years ago, and there are many beautiful seas in Okinawa, but it is a quiet beach with few tourists and few people.

Fukugi trees in Bise, Okinawa When I first visited this place, it was very strange, as if a picture of Eugene Smith came to mind and excited the viewer.

Ancient procession (Ryukyu Dynasty Festival Shuri) in front of Shureimon / This is a scene of an ancient procession at the "Ryukyu Dynasty Festival Shuri", one of the three major festivals in Naha City held on Culture Day in Shuri, the birthplace of Ryukyu culture. It is a reproduction of the procession of the King of the Ryukyu Kingdom visiting three temples under Shuri Castle to pray for the well-being of the country. It is as if you have traveled back in time to the Ryukyu Dynasty, and you will parade under Shuri Castle from the Shuri Castle Main Hall through the Shureimon Gate. I play an instrument called "cow bra". It has a bass like a tuba, and then a high note like a trumpet with an instrument called a "horse bra".

Ancient procession (Ryukyu Dynasty Festival Shuri) in front of Shureimon / This is a scene of an ancient procession at the "Ryukyu Dynasty Festival Shuri", one of the three major festivals in Naha City held on Culture Day in Shuri, the birthplace of Ryukyu culture. It is a reproduction of the procession of the King of the Ryukyu Kingdom visiting three temples under Shuri Castle to pray for the well-being of the country. It is as if you have traveled back in time to the Ryukyu Dynasty, and you will parade under Shuri Castle from the Shuri Castle Main Hall through the Shureimon Gate. The King and Queen.

Ancient procession (Ryukyu Dynasty Festival Shuri) in front of Shureimon / This is a scene of an ancient procession at the "Ryukyu Dynasty Festival Shuri", one of the three major festivals in Naha City held on Culture Day in Shuri, the birthplace of Ryukyu culture. It is a reproduction of the procession of the King of the Ryukyu Kingdom visiting three temples under Shuri Castle to pray for the well-being of the country. It is as if you have traveled back in time to the Ryukyu Dynasty, and you will parade under Shuri Castle from the Shuri Castle Main Hall through the Shureimon Gate. It was very elegant and very good ^^ The regent, the three priests, walk in the lead.

Introducing the post of the "Kumejima Visitor's Bureau" COOL JAPAN VIDEOS official social media account! Kumejima Kume Island is the fifth largest island in Okinawa and has a warm climate throughout the year. The entire island is designated as a prefectural natural park, and the beach is also popular as a diving spot. You can also explore the coastline in a sea kayak.

Introducing the post of the "Ginoza Village Tourism Association" COOL JAPAN VIDEOS official social media account! Ginoza Village, Okinawa Prefecture is a village located in the center of Okinawa Prefecture. Surrounded by the highly transparent sea and lush greenery, there are plenty of scenic spots. Activities at Hangna Beach include jet skiing and banana boating.

Hello everyone! Autumn is approaching, and it's getting cooler and cooler. Speaking of autumn, the autumn of exercise! When you come to Ginoza Village, why don't you join the cycling tour "Castle in the Sky Kyari Dum Dam"? Your guide will guide you through the cityscape, history, and culture of Ginoza Village, where the nature-rich Kanna Dam and Okinawa-like original scenery are located. There are also plenty of photo spots such as Kanna Dam and Kanna Beach, which are inspired by Okinawan castles. ✨ ♪ Join us with ? your friends and family. For details, please see the Ginoza Village Tourism Association website.

Nice to meet you all! Kumejima Visitor's Bureau. Kumejima, Kume Island a remote island in Okinawa with a population of about 7,300, is home to beautiful nature and rich culture. The Kume Island is located 100 km west of the main island of Okinawa, and access to the Kumejima is about 30 minutes by plane from Naha Airport on the main island of Okinawa to Kumejima Airport (7 flights a day). Kumejima Airport from Haneda Airport takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes. In addition, the ferry can be taken from the main island of Okinawa "Naha Tomari Port", Via Tonaki Island, it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to Kume Island Kanegusuku Port or about 3 hours by direct Kume Island flight. There are 1~2 ferries per day, so please be careful when using them. There are four ways to get around the island: town buses, rental cars, taxis, and bicycle rentals. You can rent a car from the airport if you make a reservation, and please check the reception desk of each company in the airport arrival lobby. There are town buses that go around the island (clockwise and counter-clockwise), the Airport Line, the Shimajiri Line, and the Kagiyama Line, and the Airport Line mainly operates according to the flight time, so you can easily use it. The Kume Island is about 23km and can be circled in about 3~4 hours by bicycle. The Kumejima has a number of fascinating sights. In this post, we will introduce some of them. The ruins of the Gusuku period scattered throughout Okinawa are called "Gusuku (castle)". Chinese ceramics are sometimes unearthed from Gusuku, and it is a spot where you can feel the remnants of the era when trade with overseas was thriving. Located at the top of Mt. Uejodake, "Uegusuku Castle Ruins" is the ruins of a castle built at the highest point in Gusuku. From the summit, you can see the entire Kume Island and it is also a superb viewing spot. "Gushikawa Castle Ruins" is a gusuku located on a limestone hill along the coast. It is also a nationally designated historic site, and Gusuku is characterized by a castle wall that mixes limestone and andesite. Next, we will introduce the beaches where you can enjoy the beautiful sea of Okinawa. "Ara Beach" is a hidden gem spot like a private beach surrounded by mountains. There is no doubt that you will be impressed by the beauty of the mysterious sunset as well as in the daytime! Shinri Beach, a beach with gentle waves, has an atoll right off the coast, and you can see the atoll up close at low tide. Since it is close to the airport, it is possible to watch airplanes take off and land. In addition, if you apply to the town environmental conservation division, you can use it as a campsite for free. "Mifuga Rock" on the shore of Yamatodomari is a tourist destination that means "female rock" in dialect. There are strangely shaped rocks created by the wind and tide, and it is a popular spot that is said to be a blessing for children. At Kumejima Tsumugi no Sato Yuimaru-kan, you can observe the dyeing techniques and works of traditional Kume Island pongee, and you can also enjoy weaving and dyeing Kume Island pongee. The Kume Island Museum is a museum where you can experience the history and culture of Kume Island, and holds permanent exhibitions of "Kume Island Nature and Culture" as well as special exhibitions. Next, we will introduce information on activities that you can enjoy in the Kume Island full of nature. The "Maine Beach", "Nakano Beach", and "Hatinu Beach" floating in the northeast of the Kume Island are collectively called "Hatenohama", and you can enjoy various marine activities! There are plenty of diving spots in the Kume Island for beginners to intermediate divers and above. Recommended for beginners, "Manta Station" is a popular manta ray encounter spot. You can enjoy Black Manta watching up close. In addition, the diving spot "Tombara", which is representative of the Kume Island with a huge rock height of about 50 m, has a maximum depth of 30 m, which is suitable for intermediate skiers and above, and the tide is strong, but it is also an attractive spot because there is a possibility of encountering schools of migratory fish, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, etc. You can also explore the beautiful ocean world on a snorkeling tour. You can also enjoy the charm of Kumejima by strolling along the coastline in a "sea kayak" where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery while paddling on the sea. There is also a two-seater kayak, so you can enjoy it even with children. At the "Kume Island Horse Farm" where you can enjoy interacting with the horses, you can enjoy horse play that can only be experienced here! You can also use the "Umi Uma Asobi" to enter the sea while riding a horse, as well as your favorite horse play and a back menu on request. Yajiyagama Cave, the longest limestone cave in the Kume Island, which is about 800 meters long, offers year-round exploration programs. Depending on the program, you can explore the mysterious limestone cave in about 1 and a half ~ 2 hours. Don't miss the gourmet food of Kumejima! Kumejima is also famous as a shrimp farming pond. The quality is highly evaluated by the industry, and it is also certified as a "base production area" by Okinawa Prefecture. The season is December ~ May. In addition, sea grapes and awamori are also delicious specialties. It is also a perfect souvenir for Kume Island. Kumejima is a place where you can spend a rich time through contact with nature and cultural experiences. We will give you the best information to make your trip to Kumejima enjoyable. Thank you for your continued support!

Giant eels in the aquarium! !️ I'm not dead, I'm hungry and sleeping ?? soundly.

Nice to meet you! This is the Ginoza Village Tourism Association. Ginoza Village is located in the center of Okinawa and is an attractive city with abundant water sources, beautiful nature, and historical traditions. From Naha Airport, it takes about 1 hour by car and access is convenient! You can take a bus to Ginoza Village along the beautiful coastline. In order to let you know Ginoza Village, which is full of charm, in this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots and local gourmet foods of Ginoza Village! The highly transparent sea of Ginoza Village is one of the attractions not to be missed! Kanna Beach, which is characterized by an arch-shaped beach with a sand of about 500 meters, has gentle waves and is perfect for swimming. You can also experience marine activities such as jet skis, banana boats and sea kayaking. Kanna Dam, which was completed in 1993 (Heisei 5), is a spot that has been certified as one of the "100 best dam lakes". Kanna Dam is designed to preserve the ecosystem, and is home to gobies, black crabs, dragonflies, killifish, horsetails, and kingfishers. In addition, in the downstream area, the leech forest (mangrove) that was lost due to seawall construction has been restored. "Roadside station "Ginoza" is a spot that you should definitely stop by when sightseeing in Ginoza Village! In addition to local specialties and souvenirs, it is a full range of facilities such as coin showers, free space, tourist information center, observation terrace, and barbecue on the seawall terrace. In 2000, Ginoza Village began training agricultural workers at the Agricultural Successor Training Center. As a result, "strawberry farms" in Ginoza Village have flourished, and "strawberry picking" where you can pick fresh strawberries is gaining popularity. The local gourmet in Ginoza Village is popular for "jagamen" that can only be eaten at the roadside station "Ginoza"! The potatoes are kneaded and the chewy texture is addictive. Please enjoy it at "Cafeteria Manjiro" in the roadside station "Ginoza". You can also buy raw noodles at Mirai Ginoza. In Ginoza Village, traditional culture and events are cherished. Traditional knife making, called "island knife," is a fusion of craftsmanship and beauty. Located in Ginoza Village, Kaniman Blacksmith Studio is the only blacksmith shop on the main island of Okinawa that manufactures island knives. It is also possible to make a custom-made blade that can be decided by consultation on the shape and material of the blade. When sightseeing in Ginoza Village, please feel the craftsmanship of the historic traditional craftsmanship. In Ginoza Village, there are hotels, pensions, and ryokans surrounded by a beautiful natural environment. Please relax in the location overlooking the sea and hot springs to heal the fatigue of sightseeing and spend a luxurious time. Ginoza Village is a place where various attractions such as natural beauty, warm people, and delicious food culture spread. Please experience the charm of Ginoza Village and enjoy a wonderful trip! We will continue to disseminate information about Ginoza Village, so we look forward to your continued support.

Introducing the post of the "Okinawa City Tourism & Promotion Association" COOL JAPAN VIDEOS official social media account! Okinawa City, a tropical paradise, was created in 1974 by the merger of Koza City and Misato Village. There are plenty of attractive sightseeing spots, such as "Churayashi Park Okinawa Southeastern Botanical Garden", "Okinawa Children's Country Okinawa zoo& museum", and "Chuo Park Avenue" where you can shop. Events such as the "Okinawa All Island Eisa Festival" are also one of the attractions.

Hello COOL JAPAN VIDEOS viewers! Okinawa City Tourism & Promotion Association. We will send out the latest information and deals of the tropical paradise "Okinawa City". Everyone will love Okinawa even more! Stay tuned for such information! First of all, a brief introduction of Okinawa City! Okinawa City is located in central Okinawa Prefecture and is about 40 minutes by car or taxi from Naha Airport using the expressway. With a population of about 140,000, it is the second most populous city in Okinawa Prefecture after Naha City. The average annual climate of Okinawa City is 22°C, and even in winter, it rarely falls below 10°C. Okinawa City was born in 1974 by the merger of Koza City and Misato Village, and since there are US military bases such as Kadena Air Base, it creates a unique atmosphere where Japanese and American cultures mix. You can feel American-influenced music and food culture throughout the city. Let's take a look at some of the attractive sightseeing spots in Okinawa City! A 5-minute drive from Okinawa Kita Interchange is "Chura Yashi Park Okinawa Southeast Botanical Garden". It is one of the largest large-scale botanical gardens in Japan, where you can see more than 1,300 species of rare plants from the tropics and subtropics in the two areas of the "Water Paradise Area" and the "Botanical Garden Area". In addition to plants, you can interact with animals such as capybaras and squirrel monkeys, and the "Okinawa Tropical Illumination" is held from late October to late May every year. Next, we will introduce Okinawa zoo&museum, a facility that combines a zoo and a museum that children can enjoy. At the zoo, about 150 kinds of animals are on display, including exhibits of rare creatures unique to Okinawa, such as Ryukyu foxes and native livestock, and events are held where you can enjoy feeding experiences and learning about animals. At the Wonder Museum, a museum in the park, interesting science experiences and workshops are held to stimulate children's sensibilities. Every Saturday from July 22nd to August 26th, you can enjoy the night zoo "Sata ZOO Night", so please stop by. And Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, a popular tourist spot for prefectural residents that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. On the north side, there is a sports zone with an athletic field, gymnasium, swimming pool, tennis courts, etc., and on the south side, it is a regional park with bicycle rentals, auto campsites, recreation pools, and a small plaza where you can play playground equipment. At the recreation pool, which has been open since July (weekends and holidays only), you can enjoy a rotating waterslide. In addition, in the Little Plaza, there are large playground equipment where you can enjoy several types of slides such as tunnel slides and roller slides, trampolines and bouldering, which are very popular with children. At the auto campsite, food sales, rental equipment, and fuel are also sold, so you can enjoy barbecue empty-handed, so you can easily enjoy a relaxing time. If you like shopping, we recommend "Central Park Avenue"! This shopping street, which was the main street of Okinawa City, which flourished as the center of commerce, is lined with various shops with an American atmosphere, and you can enjoy everything from shopping to Okinawan gourmet. In addition, "Kozagate Street" is also an area where American culture remains strong, and it is a place where you can enjoy just looking at it because it is lined with shops full of exoticism. Recommended for souvenirs, we will introduce Okinawa City's traditional craft "Chibana Hanaori". Chibana ori is a historic traditional fabric with geometric patterns that has been made in Chibana, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture since the time of the Ryukyu Dynasty in the 18th century, and has been loved as a sunny dress for festivals such as Umaharashi (horse riding competition, men's festival) and usdek (usudai drum and women's festival wishing for a bountiful harvest). Nowadays, wallets, ties, business card holders, etc. are easy to incorporate into daily life and are also delighted as souvenirs! Among the events and festivals in Okinawa City, the largest Eisa Festival in Okinawa Prefecture, which will be held for the first time in four years this year, "Okinawa All Islands Eisa Festival" is popular. Eisa is one of Okinawa's traditional performing arts, and a dance is performed on the night of the Old Bon to memorialize ancestors. This year 2023 (Reiwa 5) it will be held from September 8 to 10. At the "Okinawa City Industrial Festival" held at the aforementioned Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, there is a lineup of delicious foods from Okinawa City! It is enjoyed by many people, including locals. In the food area, you can taste the specialties of Koza created by famous restaurants competing with each other, and there are many other famous products produced and processed in Okinawa City. When you come to Okinawa City, be sure to check out the events. In addition, the Okinawa Marathon is a full marathon that starts at Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park and spans Okinawa City, Uruma City, Kadena Town, Chatan Town, and Kitanakagusuku Village in Okinawa Prefecture, and approximately 15,000 runners from Japan and abroad participate. You can run while enjoying the nature and culture of Okinawa City. * The Okinawa Marathon held in February 2023 has unfortunately been postponed due to the influence of the new coronavirus. When sightseeing in Okinawa City, you can choose accommodation that suits your travel style, from resort hotels to business hotels, rental villas and guest houses. If you rent a car, you can easily access not only sightseeing spots in Okinawa City but also nearby sightseeing spots, so it is also recommended as a base for sightseeing in Okinawa. Okinawa City Tourism & Promotion Association is also working to attract sports camps and training camps and promote sports tourism by utilizing the sports environment in Okinawa City. In the future, we will also introduce many sports facilities and sports facilities in Okinawa City. If you are considering holding a sports training camp or tournament in Okinawa City, please feel free to contact us. In Okinawa City, you can enjoy rich nature, delicious food, and exotic culture! We will send you the latest information and attractive information so that you can make wonderful memories in Okinawa City, so thank you!