 Most viewed - OKINAWA ISLAND 沖縄本島 |
Colorful neon signs at Kokusai-dori, Naha.10 views
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Nice Okinawan shop signs here and there on Kokusai-dori.10 views
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Tenbusu Naha てんぶす那覇 10 views
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Noren-gai restaurant complex on Kokusai-dori. のれん街10 views
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Don Quijote does have an impressive selection of Okinawan products.10 views
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A&W restaurant's Kokusai-dori branch is at the entrance to Kokusai-dori on the 2nd floor.10 views
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A&W restaurant (Kokusai-dori branch) is another Okinawa favorite from the US. Took only a few root beer sips to relish teenage memories. Too much sugar for me now.10 views
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Blue Seal ice cream, another brand associated with Okinawa.10 views
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Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail, the closest station to Kokusai-dori. 県庁前駅10 views
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View from Manzamo.9 views
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Cape Manzamo elephant trunk (rock).9 views
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Cape Manzamo, one of Okinawa Island's main tourist attractions. Rock formation with a hole or elephant's trunk. It faces the East China Sea. 万座毛9 views
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Entrance to Kokusai-dori.9 views
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Entrance to Kokusai-dori is flanked by two shisa guardian lion-dogs.9 views
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Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.9 views
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Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.9 views
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In central Naha, Kokusai-dori (国際通り), main drag of tourist shops and restaurants. Lined with palm trees.9 views
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Gift shop modeled after Shuri Castle.9 views
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Beni-imo tart is sold everywhere in Okinawa. Like macadamia nut chocolates in Hawaii, there are many Beni-imo tart brands in Okinawa. I'm told the most famous brand is Okashi Goten (御菓子御殿), the confection's inventor. 9 views
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This new tart flavor is also good.9 views
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Habu liquor or habu-shu with a dead habu snake inside. Made with awamori or brandy. The extract from the snake supposed to be good for you. The snake's venom is somehow neutralized by the alcohol, so it's not poisonous when you drink it.9 viewsNever tried it. What do people do with the snake after drinking the sake? Would a bird of prey eat an alcohol-soaked snake? ハブ酒
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"Okinawa Aloha," apparently Hawaii is idolized in Okinawa.9 views
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Sanshin for sale on Kokusai-dori.9 views
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Ichiba-Hondori shopping arcade. 9 views
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Surprised to see Don Quijote on Kokusai-dori. One of the few shops that's not Okinawan, but I was glad to see Kokusai-dori not overrun by non-Okinawan businesses. Hopefully we'll never see Gucci, etc., here either.9 views
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Sam's Maui on Kokusai-dori, Naha.9 views
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Naha Bus on Kokusai-dori. There are larger buses too.9 views
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Rawhide on Kokusai-dori.9 views
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Not so many tourists in Okinawa during the coronavirus pandemic.9 views
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Another Okinawan live house on Kokusai-dori.9 views
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Lizard on Kokusai-dori.9 views
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Go to Travel discounts were great in autumn 2020 in Naha, Okinawa.9 views
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Washita Shop's Kokusai-dori branch. Well-known chain selling Okinawan products. They also have branches in Tokyo (near Yurakucho) and major cities in Japan. https://www.washita.co.jp/info/shop/ginza/9 views
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Washita Shop sells CDs besides food and drink.9 views
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Beni-imo soft service ice cream cone from Blue Seal.9 views
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At Pallet Kumoji mall, there was this Shuri Castle illumination monument complemented by paper lanterns. (首里城うむいの燈(あかり)モニュメント)9 views
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Pallet Kumoji steps.9 views
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Urasoe Castle (浦添城) was originally built in the 12th century and served as the headquarters of the Chuzan Kingdom, one of the three kingdoms on the main island until they were unified to form the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1429. 8 viewsOnly a few stone walls and craggy rocks remain, no buildings. It is also famous as Hacksaw Ridge featured in the acclaimed 2016 movie, "Hacksaw Ridge" directed by Mel Gibson.
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Yellow hibiscus7 views
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Landing in Naha Airport. The new international terminal was not built yet.6 views
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Okinawa World is a fairly large theme park centering on a large underground cavern called Gyokusendo. Above ground, there are attractions featuring Okinawan culture including traditional architecture, traditional crafts, habu snake show, 6 viewsand Eisa drum show. Major tourist attraction in the southern part of Okinawa island.
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Naminoue Shrine torii. 波上宮 5 views
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Wash basin at Naminoue Shrine.5 views
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William Board, a sailor from Commodore Perry's crew, is also buried here after he was caught assaulting a local female and was stoned by villagers in 1854. He was drunk and fell into the water and drowned.5 viewsThis occurred while Perry went to Uraga. He had left a few crew in Naha, to be picked up on his return trip. A trial was held for the men who stoned Board. They were punished by being exiled to remote islands including Yaeyama. There's a small gravestone for Board in the cemetery.
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Dragon bridge across Tomari Port.5 views
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Dragon bridge across Tomari Port.5 views
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Departure info on screen.5 views
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The following photos were taken over 10 years ago. This is Naha Airport's old International Terminal that was a separate building from the Domestic Terminal. It closed in 2014 upon the opening of the new International Terminal. This old terminal is g5 views
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Habu's nostril, eyes, and pit.5 views
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The mongoose immediately and hilariously swam through the tube, winning the race hands down.5 views
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Exhibits of different species of habu. This one is from Kumejima island.5 views
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Uezu Residence is the grandest home in the park. Many of the homes are National Tangible Cultural Properties.上州家5 views
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Inside Okinawa Culture Center. Two rooms with glass cases of artifacts.5 views
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Laughing shisa in the gift shop.5 views
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Tomari Ohashi Bridge also has a pedestrian sidewalk. 泊大橋4 views
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Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.4 views
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Statue of ?? at Naminoue Shrine.4 views
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Older photo of the monument when it looked more new.4 views
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Floor map of Tomarin.4 views
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Boat dock at Tomari Port , Naha.4 views
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These planes look to be on display, as seen from Yui Rail.4 views
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Naha Airport terminal map.4 views
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Stained glass at the end of the terminal.4 views
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Urinal with a view at the men's restroom at Naha's departure gates. This photo was taken on a previous trip to Okinawa. The window was transparent.4 views
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Seesaa at the entrance of Okinawa World. 4 views
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The habu's rear pair of fangs excrete the venom.4 views
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In the tubes, it was a swimming race between a mongoose (upper tube) and habu (lower tube). They were both released into their tubes at the same time.4 views
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Okinawan shishi-mai lion dance.4 views
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Inside Uezu Residence. Sanshin also displayed.4 views
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At Okinawa World, studio to try on Okinawan bingata kimono and pose for photos.4 views
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About shisa in Okinawa.4 views
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Bus came on time. No. 83 back to Naha.4 views
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Buses in Naha look almost the same on the inside as buses in Tokyo. However, in Naha you board and exit through the front door. The back door doesn't work. In most cases, you pay the fare when you get off. 4 views
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Sign marking the location of Urasoe Castle's Seiden main building with a top view of the excavation showing building foundations and pillar holes. 正殿跡4 views
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Naminoue Beach in central Okinawa. A local favorite and convenient for Naha locals in summer.3 views
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Naminoue Beach in central Naha is convenient for a quick swim or sunbathing. 波の上ビーチ3 views
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Naminoue beach, Naha3 views
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Naminoue Beach Park.3 views
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About the Naha-Fuzhou Friendship City Exchange Monuments (Ryuchu dragon pillars) in Naha, Okinawa.3 views
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Naminoue Shrine torii.3 views
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Wash basin closed as a Covid safety measure.3 views
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Naminoue Shrine's main hall. 波上宮 3 views
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Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.3 views
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Naminoue Shrine office where you can buy charms or request prayer ceremonies.3 views
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Poem by Emperor Showa at Naminoue Shrine.3 views
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Pink hibiscus at the cemetery.3 views
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Near Tomari Port is the Tomari International Cemetery (泊外人墓地). First built in the early 19th century. Destroyed during WWII and restored in 1955. Numerous foreigners are buried here. 外国人墓地3 views
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Perry Monument marking the place where he landed on June 6, 1853. The monument is within the Foreigners' Cemetery in Naha, Okinawa.3 views
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On Naha's waterfront, Commodore Perry Landing Monument. Perry first landed in Naha in May 1853 and was finally able to visit Shuri Castle on June 6, 1853 after insisting on it. Meanwhile, his crew explored the island and saw interesting things.3 views
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Older photo of the monument when it looked more new. The lower plaque wasn't faded yet.3 views"Lew Chew" (Ru-chu ルーチュー), as spelled by Perry, is what the Ryukyu Kingdom called itself. There's also "Uchina" (ウチナー) which referred to the main island, but today, "uchina" usually refers to the entire prefecture of Okinawa.
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Tomarin Park next to Tomari Port. 泊緑地 3 views
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SIgns at Tomari Port.3 views
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At Tomari Port, ticket office for Tokashiki island.3 views
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Tomari Port, Naha.3 views
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Boat dock at Tomari Port.3 views
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Main concourse also has orchids. Orchids in Naha Airport. They are real, not fake. They also last many years with minimal water and soil requirements. 胡蝶蘭3 views
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Yui Rail Naha Airport Station platform.3 views
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Yui Rail train at Naha Airport Station.3 views
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Exhibition space at Naha Airport departure gates.3 views
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Waiting area at Naha Airport gates.3 views
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Gate 23 at Naha Airport for Ishigaki.3 views
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Jet way with flowers at Naha.3 views
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Helicopter landing in Naha.3 views
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Blue whale shark Japan Transocean Air (JTA) Boeing 737-800 plane taking off from Naha Airport.3 views
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Pink whale shark Japan Transocean Air (JTA) Boeing 737-800 plane at Naha Airport.3 views
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Ryukyu Air Commuter DHC8-Q400CC (DH4) turboprop plane at Naha Airport.3 views
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Ryukyu Air Commuter DHC8-Q400CC (DH4) propeller plane taking off from Naha Airport.3 views
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Naha Airport Domestic Terminal.3 views
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Map of Gyokusendo Cavern. Many natural features have names. After getting out of the cavern, you can go across the park toward the main gate and see the Kingdom Village.3 views
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The cavern basically follows an underground stream. Tourists can walk on this walkway. It's always wet and water dripping.3 views
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Not sure if this is the natural color or the color of the lights.3 views
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Japanese mitten crab, one of the creatures that live in the cavern. モクズガニ3 views
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Freshwater goby, one of the creatures that live in the cavern. ヨシノボリ3 views
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Striking reach of the habu is much wider compared to a cobra. It's 360˚ all around. Watch out for it.3 views
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Where habu bites occur. Most common (31.8%) on the fingers, then the calf of your leg. Ouch!3 views
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Hooked poles for catching habu. Habu are caught for making Habu-shu liquor.3 views
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Bats sleeping.3 views
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Okinawan Eisa drummers.3 views
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About the stone walls.3 views
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Okinawan children's toys.3 views
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About the Sanshin, Okinawa's shamisen string instrument famous for snakeskin (not habu).3 views
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Kingdom Village also has a noborigama sloping kiln for pottery. 登り窯3 views
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Glassware you can make at Ryukyu Glass Kingdom Studio.3 views
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Okinawa World's gift shop.3 views
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Some sugar cane in Nanjo, Okinawa.3 views
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Replicated stone monument to mark the completion of the stone-paved path from Urasoe Castle to Shuri Castle in 1597. Original monument was destroyed during the World War II.3 views
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About the stone monument to mark the completion of the stone-paved path from Urasoe Castle to Shuri Castle.3 views
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Not only that, he was a "conscientious objector" and refused to carry a gun and kill the enemy since it was against his religious beliefs. 3 viewsHe was in the war with no gun. He was a medic, so he didn't think he needed a gun. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman.
Surprisingly, the movie was not an American or Japanese production. It was Australian. Most of the actors were Australian and it was filmed in Australia. Too bad no filming in Okinawa.
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The tun was created with a pair of bamboo connected at the top to form an arch as a gate for the gods. Prayers for a rich harvest were held here.3 views
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Although this big bridge is right in front, most people don't seem to mind it.2 views
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Bleachers at Naminoue Beach.2 views
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Okinawan-style restrooms at Naminoue Beach.2 views
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Map of the beaches in Naminoue area.2 views
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Naminoue Beach Park.2 views
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Naminoue Beach Park.2 views
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Naminoue Beach Park.2 views
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Near Naminoue Beach is this pair of Ryuchu dragon pillars on Wakasa-naka-dori road. 龍柱 2 views
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Ryuchu dragon pillar in Naha, Okinawa.2 views
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Anatomy of Ryuchu dragon pillars.2 views
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About Naminoue Shrine.2 views
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Naminoue Shrine roof.2 views
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Inside Naminoue Shrine's Haiden, a ceremony taking place.2 views
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Naminoue Shrine office.2 views
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Naminoue Shrine's ema prayer tablet. (For the Year of the Mouse in 2020.)2 views
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Commodore Perry Landing Monument is in the distance. The cemetery has locked gates so we can't enter it. Not really a tourist attraction, but it can be clearly viewed from outside the low fence.2 views
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About a month later, he and his Black Ships shocked mainland Japan off Uraga in Kanagawa Prefecture. In the following year, after the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed in Yokohama, 2 viewsPerry visited Naha again and signed the Ryukyu-U.S. Treaty of Amity on July 11, 1854. ペリー提督上陸記念碑
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Back of Perry Monument: This monument has been erected in honor of COMMODORE PERRY who on June 6, 1853 landed near this place.2 viewsThe lower plaque is inscribed with Perry's quote when he visited Shuri Castle:
PROSPERITY TO THE LEW CHEWANS, AND
MAY THEY AND THE AMERICANS ALWAYS BE
FRIENDS.
COMMODORE PERRY AT A RECEPTION IN
HIS HONOR (THE ROYAL GUEST
HOUSE) SHURI, OKINAWA, JUNE 6, 1853
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Captain Basil Hall monument in Tomarin Park, Naha, Okinawa.2 views
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About Captain Basil Hall.2 views
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Tomari Port or Tomarin Port terminal building, Naha, Okinawa.2 views
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Inside Tomarin (Tomari Port building). Boat/ferry ticket windows.2 views
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At Tomari Port, ticket window for Zamami island.2 views
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Map to the boat dock for Tokashiki island.2 views
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Pure yellow hibiscus.2 views
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Upon landing in Naha Airport, taxiing to the terminal. The main terminal can be seen in the distance.2 views
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Jetways at Naha Airport are decorated with orchids. A very nice touch.2 views
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At Naha Airport, the jet way after getting off the plane. One thing I love about Naha Airport are the orchids.2 views
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Orchids inside Naha Airport. 胡蝶蘭2 views
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Orchids inside Naha Airport. 胡蝶蘭2 views
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If you won't rent a car, take the Yui Rail to central Naha.2 views
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Yui Rail Naha Airport Station tickets. There is only one line and two directions. Easy to figure out.2 views
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Orchids on the concourse to the gates.2 views
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Orchids on the concourse to the gates at Naha Airport.2 views
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Naha Airport departure gates.2 views
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Naha Airport gates also have gift shops for last-minute gifts. 2 views
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On a later trip to Okinawa, I noticed that the window is now frosted and no longer transparent...2 views
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At Naha, Japan Transocean Air (JTA) Boeing 737-800 to Ishigaki.2 views
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Gate 23 at Naha Airport.2 views
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Even the pilots of our plane wore masks. Partially visible is the plane's slogan, "Uchina no Tsubasa" (Wings of Okinawa). ANA also serves the Okinawan islands.2 views
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Aircraft door.2 views
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The Yaeyama Islands (Ishigaki) are a one-hour flight from Naha. Japan's most remote islands, but easy to get to on flights from Naha or Tokyo. We simply call them "Yaeyama."2 views
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Back at Naha Airport for another flight. Leaving for Haneda.2 views
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Naha Airport gates have large pictures windows perfect for plane spotting.2 views
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Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 at Naha Airport. Our plane to Haneda.2 views
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Gate 23 at Naha Airport again. (Same gate as the flight to Ishigaki.)2 views
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Entering Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 at Naha Airport. Plane to Haneda.2 views
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Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 to Haneda.2 views
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Approaching Naha Airport.2 views
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Naha Airport over 10 years ago.2 views
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To get to Okinawa World, I took a bus from Naha Bus Terminal. There are many buses and bus stops, so ask the bus information booth inside the bus terminal. Say where you want to go, and she will tell you which bus to take and where to get off.2 views
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Map of Okinawa World. Many attractions above the cavern. When you buy your ticket, find out when the next habu snake show will be. See it first if it will start soon. 2 viewsSee the habu show or cavern first which are near the front gate. Also find out the Eisa drum show time. Largest building is the shopping mall and restaurant complex which you can see last.
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Entrance to Gyokusendo Cavern or Cave. 玉泉洞2 views
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Steps down to Gyokusendo Cavern.2 views
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Lots of blue lighting.2 views
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"Ceiling of Spears" 槍天井2 views
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Where the stalactites are too long, they had to be cut to make way for tourists.2 views
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Blue Spring limestone dam.2 views
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Golden rock2 views
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Habu Museum Park is another major attraction of Okinawa World. Habu is a venomous pit viper endemic to the Okinawan and Amami islands. There are a number of species.2 views
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Habu Museum Park has an educational museum about the habu, a zoo of habu and other snakes, and a small hall for the habu snake show. First find out what time the next habu show will be.2 views
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The trainer explained about the habu while handling it with a hooked pole.2 views
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The trainer mentioned that in the past, they had a mongoose and habu snake fight each other in the show. But due to animal rights concerns, it was discontinued. These are only stuffed animals on display in the Habu Museum.2 viewsThe mongoose was introduced to Okinawa in 1910 to control the habu population. But the mongoose instead preyed on other native species.
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The stage also had two partially filled water tubes for the show's climax (?). This is the Snake and Mongoose Show. Instead of fighting each other, they race in the water.2 views
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Also showed a cobra and tried to provoke it to show its expanded neck.2 views
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First-aid for a habu bite. Suck out the venom and spit it out.2 views
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Boa constrictor.2 views
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Inside Nanto Brewery producing habu-shu liquor. 南都酒造所2 views
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The extract from the snake supposed to be good for you. The snake's venom is somehow neutralized by the alcohol, so it's not poisonous when you drink it.2 viewsSo what do they do with the snake after drinking the habu-shu? Would a bird of prey eat an alcohol-soaked snake?
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Red hibiscus.2 views
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Eisa Plaza is where they perform the eisa drum show. エイサー広場2 views
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