JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Photos of Shuri Castle after the devastating fire in Oct. 2019. Shuri Castle is Naha's top tourist attraction. The home of kings who ruled the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879 before it was annexed by Japan and renamed Okinawa Prefecture. Shuri Castle was the kingdom's capital.

248 files, last one added on Feb 09, 2021
Album viewed 359 times

In central Naha, Kokusai-dori is the city's main drag of shops and restaurants. Mostly for tourists. The nearest rail stations are Kencho-mae and Makishi Stations on the Yui Rail. It also has the Shima-Uta nightclub featuring the famous Nenes/Nenez performing live on most nights.

121 files, last one added on Mar 29, 2021
Album viewed 227 times

Coming soon.

5 files, last one added on May 01, 2009
Album viewed 6 times

Coming soon.

8 files, last one added on May 01, 2009
Album viewed 7 times

Himeyuri Monument and Cenotaph (ひめゆり慰霊碑) in southern Okinawa in the city of Itoman. One of Okinawa's most famous war sites and memorials. This monument stands over the entrance of the cave where 80 people died on June 19, 1945 when US troops searching for Japanese soldiers threw in white phosphorus grenades. Those who died included 38 Himeyuri high school student nurses and four of their teachers. US troops didn't know who were in the caves.

35 files, last one added on Jan 09, 2021
Album viewed 70 times

Cornerstone of Peace (平和の礎) in Mabuni is a large oceanfront memorial park full of stone slabs inscribed with over 240,000 names of people who died in the battle. Civilians and military, Japanese and foreign. Japanese victims are inscribed by prefecture. Foreign nationals are inscribed by country. The site of the last fighting of the Battle of Okinawa on the southern end of the island.

29 files, last one added on Jan 09, 2021
Album viewed 70 times

Eisa dancing is performed on the streets at night in every village on Okinawa during the three days of Obon in August. This one was in Kin town. All photos copyright 2009 Michael Lynch.

12 files, last one added on Jun 15, 2009
Album viewed 554 times

Nakagusuku Castle is located in central Okinawa about 150 meters above the Pacific Ocean and has been designated a World Heritage Site. Constructed in mid-fourteenth century of limestone rocks, placed without the use of mortar, Commodore Perry praised the construction technique on his visit to Okinawa in 1853. Photos by Michael Lynch.

12 files, last one added on May 01, 2009
Album viewed 345 times

Kouri Island is a small, round island easily accessible by car on a scenic highway bridge over the ocean from Yagaji Island off the coast of Motobu Peninsula. It has small beach and lookout tower.

60 files, last one added on Mar 06, 2021
Album viewed 248 times

Cape Manzamo is a famous rock formation with a hole or elephant's trunk. It faces the East China Sea.

6 files, last one added on Jan 13, 2021
Album viewed 9 times

Kabira Bay is probably Ishigaki's most famous tourist attraction. Glass bottom boats take you to see the coral in shallow waters. Scenic beach and small islands.

40 files, last one added on Jan 15, 2021
Album viewed 46 times

Small architectural park of traditional Yaeyama homes overlooking Nagura Bay. Open 9:00 am–5:30 pm. Adult admission ¥1,000, kids ¥500. https://www.yaimamura.com/

39 files, last one added on Jan 10, 2021
Album viewed 42 times

Mt. Nosokodake is Ishigaki’s second highest mountain at 282 m. Can be climbed up a steep, narrow trail in about 15 min. We saw it from the nearby Nosodake Scenic Point. This mountain is associated with a famous local folk tale about a girl named Maape. The mountain is nicknamed after her, "Nosoko Maape" (野底マーペー) or Nosoko Mape.

19 files, last one added on Jan 23, 2021
Album viewed 32 times

Sakieda Peninsula on western Ishigaki has Mt. Yarabudake (屋良部岳), a steep, but short (15 min.) climb. Also the scenic Cape Ogansaki (御神崎).

22 files, last one added on Jan 23, 2021
Album viewed 16 times

Banna Park is on Banna Hill (230m elevation) on the northern fringe of central Ishigaki, overlooking the heart of Ishigaki city. Fine views of the southern part of the island, Taketomi Island, and Sakieda Peninsula.

13 files, last one added on Jan 16, 2021
Album viewed 10 times

Hotel on the southern coast of Ishigaki. Ocean and sunset views. Also stargazing on the rooftop.

36 files, last one added on Jan 25, 2021
Album viewed 17 times

Landing and takeoff at the New Ishigaki Airport and at the old Ishigaki Airport. Also photos inside the terminal building.

98 files, last one added on Jan 25, 2021
Album viewed 35 times

Ishigaki Port is on the southern coast of Ishigaki island. It's the marine gateway to other Yaeyama islands such as Taketomi, Iriomote, Kuroshima, and Aragusuku. Also see photos of the old Ishigaki Port and nearby sights.

34 files, last one added on Jan 25, 2021
Album viewed 15 times

In northern Iriomote, Urauchi River is Okinawa's longest (19 km), widest (200 m), and deepest (15 m) river. It's home to a whopping 400 species of fish or 10 percent of Japan's fish species. Urauchi River is one of Iriomote's major tourist routes with a jungle river cruise and forest hike to see two waterfalls, Mariyudu Falls and Kanbire Falls. The roundtrip cruise and hike will take about 3 hours.

31 files, last one added on Jan 15, 2021
Album viewed 61 times

Another major attraction on Iriomote is Yubu, is a small, sandbar island. They converted the island into a lush botanical garden. (Admission charged, included in the water buffalo cart ride.)

59 files, last one added on Jan 23, 2021
Album viewed 61 times

Jungle hike, mangrove walk, and stargazing in central Iriomote: Ohara, Otomi, and Komi.

51 files, last one added on Jan 25, 2021
Album viewed 16 times

Maira River is one of Iriomote's major rivers. We enjoyed sunrise kayaking at the mouth of the river at high tide.

21 files, last one added on Jan 09, 2021
Album viewed 67 times

Comprehensive museum on Iriomote's wildlife, especially the Iriomote Wildcat. Located in Komi. Free admission. Open 10 am–4 pm, closed Mon., December 29–January 3, June 23. https://iwcc.jp/english/

28 files, last one added on Jan 10, 2021
Album viewed 16 times

Ohara Port is Iriomote's main port and closest to Ishigaki.

26 files, last one added on Jan 25, 2021
Album viewed 17 times

Off the coast of Ishigaki, this is one of Japan's most charming islands with white coral roads, white sand beaches, and a real Okinawan feeling.

21 files, last one added on Apr 02, 2007
Album viewed 467 times

Okinawa's ancient and modern dances are a feast for the eyes with colorful kimono and aesthetic movements, not to mention the intriguing and unique music of Okinawa.

17 files, last one added on Jul 11, 2014
Album viewed 894 times

One image for each month reflecting the seasons of Okinawa. All photos copyright 2009 Michael Lynch.

12 files, last one added on Jun 15, 2009
Album viewed 1067 times