 Most viewed - OKINAWA 沖縄県 |
Stone slabs are like folding screens in a slight zig-zag pattern.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
About the Cornerstone of Peace.11 views
|
|
Names of 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Lots of sugar cane in Yaeyama.11 views
|
|
Yaima Mura is a 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/11 views
|
|
Several traditional Yaeyama homes in a park-like setting with lush greenery. "Yaima" means Yaeyama in the local Yaeyama dialect.11 views
|
|
They hold traditional music performances in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸11 views
|
|
Can-type sanshin in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸11 views
|
|
Makishi Residence privacy wall. 旧牧志邸11 views
|
|
Sakieda Peninsula in the distance as seen from Amparu Lookout.11 views
|
|
Ryukyu matsu pine trees 琉球松11 views
|
|
Ryukyu matsu pine trees11 views
|
|
Fisherman's boat house.11 views
|
|
Fisherman's home.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Sugar cane processing factory.11 views
|
|
Squirrel Monkey Garden entrance. You need to leave your bags at the entrance. リスザルの森11 views
|
|
About the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center.11 views
|
|
Characteristics of the Iriomote wildcat.11 views
|
|
Our tour guide on Troll's Tongue playing his sanshin.11 views
|
|
Too cloudy for a nice sunrise, but the views were marvelous on Mt. Yarabudake.11 views
|
|
Taketomi island in the distance. Flat, coral outcrop. Quaint, charming island, a short boat ride from Ishigaki Port.11 views
|
|
Straight ahead is Kohama island (小浜島) in the distance. The small island in front of it on the right is Kayama (嘉弥真島). The big island on the right is Iriomote.11 views
|
|
Sukuji Beach is 1 km long. It has showers and changing rooms for the public. It's also where the Ishigaki Seaside Hotel is located. 底地ビーチ11 views
|
|
Landed on Ishigaki Airport's runway.11 views
|
|
This new Ishigaki Airport opened in March 2013. Due to the Yaeyama islands becoming a popular tourist destination, there were calls to built a bigger airport since 1979.11 views
|
|
It took years to decide where to build the new airport. One disturbing plan was to reclaim part of Shiraho coral reef. Fortunately, this plan was scratched.11 viewsIn 2000, the location was finally decided inland on the island's east side and more northerly from the old airport. Construction began in 2006 with a 2,000-meter runway. New Ishigaki Airport opened in March 2013. Airport terminal with the control tower on the right.
|
|
At Ishigaki Airport, a large welcome and warning sign after getting out of baggage claim in fall 2020. 11 viewsIt says to please wear masks, wash your hands, avoid crowds, etc., to protect local residents. We of course took all the necessary precautions.
|
|
Ishigaki Airport Arrivals gate on the frist floor. Where local friends or tour guides can meet you after you arrive.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Outside Ishigaki Airport terminal for ground transportation.11 views
|
|
Giant clam decoration at Ishigaki Airport.11 views
|
|
Some tropical plants at Ishigaki Airport.11 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport can be seen.11 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport terminal lookout deck on the top floor.11 views
|
|
Jet way11 views
|
|
JTA plane11 views
|
|
Another lookout deck, round, open-air structure.11 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport control tower.11 views
|
|
JTA Boeing 737-800 plane at Ishigaki Airport.11 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport 11 views
|
|
Our JTA Boeing 737-800 plane at Ishigaki Airport.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Passenger waiting area in front of the boarding gate. Very modern.11 views
|
|
Boarding gate at Ishigaki Airport for our flight to Naha. We just scan the QR code on our smartphone screen.11 views
|
|
View of Ishigaki Airport terminal from the jet bridge. The circular structure above the roof toward the control tower is a lookout deck.11 views
|
|
Boeing 737 winglet waving goodbye to the control tower at Ishigaki Airport.11 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport control tower.11 views
|
|
Here it comes for a smooth landing.11 views
|
|
Statue of Gushiken Yoko at Ishigaki Port, former pro boxer and local hero from Ishigaki. He held the WBA light-flyweight title from 1976 to 1981.11 views
|
|
View of coral reef from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 11 views
|
|
Nakama River is beyond this area.11 views
|
|
Boardwalk at Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi area. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)11 views
|
|
Map of the boardwalk going through the Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi district. Near the mouth of Maira River. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Boardwalk at Sakishima suounoki mangroves in the Komi area. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Low tide puddles.11 views
|
|
Ohara Port dock.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Tourist signs at Ohara Port.11 views
|
|
Departure times for boats going to Ishigaki.11 views
|
|
Welcome sign.11 views
|
|
Boat ticket for Ishigaki Port.11 views
|
|
On board Anei Kanko's high-speed boat "Paijima" for Ishigaki Port. ぱいじま11 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. This is only 200 meters away from the new Ishigaki Port terminal building. The high-rise Hotel East China Sea is under construction. 旧石垣離島桟橋。ホテルイーストチャイナシー建設中。11 views
|
|
Leaving the old Ishigaki Port.11 views
|
|
Repairing the Seiden's stone dragon pillars.11 views
|
|
The dragon eyes, scales, etc., also on display in broken pieces. 11 views
|
|
Kobikimon Gate is the exit. Also the entrance for wheelchair users. 木曳門11 views
|
|
Stone marker for Shurijo Castle. Near Kobikimon.11 views
|
|
Rest area inside Suimuikan 1st floor. There's also a cafe in the corner. Basement has lockers and underground parking lots. 首里杜館11 views
|
|
Inside Suimuikan, a mosaic bulletin board with encouraging messges to rebuild Shurijo.11 views
|
|
Another rooftop seesaa.11 views
|
|
About Kouri Island.11 views
|
|
There's the tower.11 views
|
|
The cart path is lined with Okinawan plants and flowers.11 views
|
|
View from cart path to Kouri Ocean Tower.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Approaching Kouri Ocean Tower.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Pink coral.11 views
|
|
Views from Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.11 views
|
|
The top deck also has this "Happiness Bell," but the rope to ring it has been removed to prevent Covid infections.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Beautiful ocean views from Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.11 views
|
|
Beautiful ocean views from Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Event calendar on Kouri Island.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Shisa guardian lion-dog.11 views
|
|
Gift shop modeled after Shuri Castle.11 views
|
|
Kariyushi shirts, Okinawan-style Aloha shirts.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル11 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building entrance on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル11 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori is where the Nenes/Nenez perform at Live House Shima-uta on the 3rd floor.11 views
|
|
Famous Nenes/Nenez perform at Live House Shima-uta on most nights. Third floor of Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori.11 viewshttp://livehousesimauta.com/
|
|
The show is great with colorful costumes and singing. There's also audience participation. Not allowed to go up and dance though.11 views
|
|
Rin also plays the ʻukulele as a hobby.11 views
|
|
Pedestrain paradise on Kokusai-dori on Sunday.11 views
|
|
Naha Bus stop on Kokusai-dori.11 views
|
|
Shuri Castle illumination monument at Pallet Kumoji in Nov. 2020. (首里城うむいの燈(あかり)モニュメント)11 views
|
|
Urasoe Castle (浦添城) is on a low hill near Urasoe-Maeda Station on Yui Rail.11 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Water buffalo carts coming back from Yubu.10 views
|
|
The water buffalo all have names and are highly trained to put on the harness by itself. They originally came from Taiwan.10 views
|
|
Also possible to walk over to Yubu and not pay for the water buffalo ride, but no one does this.10 views
|
|
Water buffalo footprints.10 views
|
|
Map of Yubu sights and attractions.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Kinds of butterflies in the butterfly garden (蝶々園). It's a greehouse full of flowers and plants, so it's quite warm.10 views
|
|
Large tree nymph (Ogomadara), Japan's largest butterfly. Wingspan 95mm or more. Very eye-catching and elegant glider. オオゴマダラ（大胡麻斑) Butterfly hothouse in Yubu (蝶々園).10 views
|
|
Our Okinawan lunch (Makunouchi Bento Akabana). Very good.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Manta Beach on Yubu. マンタの浜10 views
|
|
Lots of water buffalo monuments and sculptures on Yubu.10 views
|
|
Hibiscus10 views
|
|
Iriomote across the shallow water.10 views
|
|
Iriomote mangroves.10 views
|
|
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort as seen from Manzamo. 10 views
|
|
Map of Cornerstone of Peace witin the Okinawa Peace Prayer Park.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Some pineapple on Ishigaki. No fruit in autumn though.10 views
|
|
Entering Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Nosokodake is part of the national park.10 views
|
|
Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. Under the roof is a side view of Mt. Nosokodake. 野底岳展望台10 views
|
|
View from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Stargazing near Nosokodake. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.10 views
|
|
Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center is a great place to learn about the island's wildlife. There are some English captions too.10 views
|
|
Life cycle of Iriomote wildcat.10 views
|
|
Iriomote's birds.10 views
|
|
Turtle on Iriomote.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Looking toward Sakieda Bay and Kabira.10 views
|
|
Beyond the mountain in the center is Kabira Bay.10 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport's runway.10 views
|
|
Bird's eye view of New Ishigaki Airport. Only one runway, 2,000 meters long, long enough for widebody jets. Terminal has four jet bridges.10 views(Photo from Wikipedia.)
|
|
Approaching the jet bridge.10 views
|
|
Our JTA plane that landed at Ishigaki Airport.10 views
|
|
Baggage claim at Ishigaki Airport.10 views
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal also has a restaurant and gift shops.10 views
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.10 views
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.10 views
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops.10 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport's nickname is "Painushima Ishigaki Airport" (南ぬ島 石垣空港) which means "Southern Island Ishigaki Airport." When it first opened, it was also commonly called "New Ishigaki Airport" to distinguis10 views
|
|
Car rentals across the road.10 views
|
|
The drive between the airport and central Ishigaki is largely rural with farmland and cattle.10 views
|
|
Bales of grass for cattle feed.10 views
|
|
Ishigaki Airport's control tower.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Another lookout deck at Ishigaki Airport.10 views
|
|
Oceanside from Ishigaki Airport.10 views
|
|
Runway traffic stop for an incoming plane.10 views
|
|
Cleared for takeoff, Captain. Roger!10 views
|
|
Coral reef along Ishigaki.10 views
|
|
On the water buffalo cart to Yubu Island from Iriomote. The guide also played the sanshin. (Photo by tour guide motti.)10 views
|
|
Our water buffalo's name was Musashi. (Photo by tour guide motti.)10 views
|
|
Water buffalo walks through shallow water to Yubu Island from Iriomote. (Photo by tour guide motti.)10 views
|
|
Having tea or ice cream on an old water buffalo cart. (Photo by tour guide motti.)10 views
|
|
Top of Yarabudake, Ishigaki. Waiting for the sunrise.10 views
|
|
Gentle water buffalo knows the direction. Photo by Kinjo Toru.10 views
|
|
Beehive roped off. (Do not disturb.)10 views
|
|
Ferns10 views
|
|
Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台10 views
|
|
Otomi Lookout Deck 大富展望台10 views
|
|
Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Mangrove seedling.10 views
|
|
Ishigaki cattle/beef.10 views
|
|
Iriomote cattle/beef.10 views
|
|
My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. Nice two-room suite.10 views
|
|
Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)10 views
|
|
Approaching Ohara Port. Although its official name is "Nakama Port" (仲間港), nobody calls it that.10 views
|
|
Ohara Port is Iriomote's main port and gateway. Boats from Ishigaki run to Ohara quite frequently. Iriomote has another port up north, but rough waters in winter can cancel boat runs.10 views
|
|
Ohara Port, Iriomote. One floating dock.10 views
|
|
Ohara Port dock built in 2002 after moving from the old location.10 views
|
|
Ohara Port dock.10 views
|
|
Ohara Port's passenger terminal is nicknamed "Nakamarin." Built in 2002 after moving from the old location. This is the main entrance from the street.10 views
|
|
Inside Ohara Port's passenger terminal nicknamed "Nakamarin." It has a gift shop. This building got flooded by typhoons twice in 2005 and once in 2009.10 views
|
|
Ticket counter inside Ohara Port's passenger terminal.10 views
|
|
Tourists arriving Ohara Port.10 views
|
|
Anei Kanko high-speed boat named "Paijima" for 181 passengers. We rode this boat from Ohara, Iriomote back to Ishigaki Port. ぱいじま10 views
|
|
Pretty smooth ride.10 views
|
|
Beautiful ocean between Iriomote and Ishigaki, part of the national park.10 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. This old port was in operation until 2006 before the new and current terminal was built for tourist boats. 旧石垣離島桟橋。10 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. Only one floating dock for the larger boats. This dock has been dismantled when the new Ishigaki Port was built.10 views
|
|
Southern Cross No. 5 boat at the old Ohara Port.10 views
|
|
The old Ohara Port when it was still operating. Tour buses, taxis, etc., await arriving passengers.10 views
|
|
Floating dock at the old Ishigaki Port. 離島桟橋10 views
|
|
Okinawan welcome sign at Takemori Inn/Ryokan (竹盛旅館).10 views
|
|
Intersection in front of Kokusai-dori.10 views
|
|
Entrance to Kokusai-dori.10 views
|
|
Map of Kokusai-dori.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Beni-imo tarts are Okinawa's most famous confection and omiyage gift. Made of Okinawan sweet potato (purple yam) in a boat-like crust.10 views
|
|
Inside the Okashi Goten (御菓子御殿) tart shop.10 views
|
|
Beni-imo tart shop.10 views
|
|
Lots of T-shirt shops on Kokusai-dori, but most are not made in Okinawa.10 views
|
|
Haisai T-shirt. "Haisai" is a "hello" greeting for men.10 views
|
|
Kariyushi shirts, Okinawan-style Aloha shirts. Make sure the shirt is made in Okinawa. Cheaper ones are made elsewhere in Asia.10 views
|
|
Taiko drums for sale on Kokusai-dori.10 views
|
|
Okinawan dolls for sale on Kokusai-dori.10 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル10 views
|
|
Live House Shima-uta. About 50 people can fit into the club. Entirely non-smoking. Reservations recommended.10 views
|
|
Doesn't feel like I'm in Okinawa until I see and hear Okinawan music. Well-known Okinawan female quartet since the 1990s.10 viewsThey played their original hit songs like "Kogane no Hana" (黄金の花), Okinawan folk favorites like "Tinsagu no Hana" (てぃんさぐの花) and tracks from their latest CD.
|
|
|
The food and drinks at Live House Shima-uta are good. This is goya-chanpuru (¥700), my Okinawan favorite. You can eat during the two intermissions.10 views
|
|
Live House Shima-uta menu. Reasonable prices. Official website usually has a coupon for a free side dish.10 views
|
|
The club had their CDs on sale, but they weren't autographed.10 views
|
|
Heiwa-dori shopping arcade, a side street off Kokusai-dori.10 views
|
|
Heiwa-dori shopping arcade10 views
|
|
Not so many people during a pandemic.10 views
|
|
Most cheap clothing not made in Okinawa. The cheap ones especially.10 views
|
|
Okinawa Mart10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Goya chips.10 views
|
|
Colorful neon signs at Kokusai-dori, Naha.10 views
|
|
Nice Okinawan shop signs here and there on Kokusai-dori.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Tenbusu Naha てんぶす那覇 10 views
|
|
Noren-gai restaurant complex on Kokusai-dori. のれん街10 views
|
|
Don Quijote does have an impressive selection of Okinawan products.10 views
|
|
A&W restaurant's Kokusai-dori branch is at the entrance to Kokusai-dori on the 2nd floor.10 views
|
|
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
|
|
Blue Seal ice cream, another brand associated with Okinawa.10 views
|
|
Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail, the closest station to Kokusai-dori. 県庁前駅10 views
|
|
On another part of Kabira Bay, typical low-tide beach in Yaeyama. Ahead is the main part of Kabira Bay with the glass bottom boats and former Kabira Village.9 views
|
|
We ride these water buffalo carts to the island across shallow water. 9 views
|
|
View from Manzamo.9 views
|
|
Sunrise kayaking on Iriomote, Yaeyama, Okinawa.9 views
|
|
Maira River, Iriomote. There's a waterfall upstream, but we didn't have time.9 views
|
|
On the way to Mt. Nosoko, spotted a nice beach.9 views
|
|
Some pineapple on Ishigaki.9 views
|
|
View from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 9 views
|
|
Inside Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center. One floor full of panel exhibits and stuffed specimens.9 views
|
|
Iriomote map shows where the Iriomote wildcat was sighted (orange tags with date and time) and roadkill locations (red tags). People need to drive carefully.9 viewsIf you see an injured or dead Iriomote wildcat, call 0980-85-5581.
|
|
Map of Iriomote.9 views
|
|
About Iriomote's wildlife.9 views
|
|
The center's main exhibit is the stuffed Iriomote wildcats.9 views
|
|
| 1523 files on 7 page(s) |
 |
|
4 | |
|
|
