 Most viewed - OKINAWA 沖縄県 |
In the past, they did have a live Iriomote cat here, found injured on the road and treated here. 9 views
|
|
Even though the Iriomote cat is all over Iriomote as a tourist symbol, we can't see any live ones.9 views
|
|
Roadkill of Iriomote cats is a problem especially since they are nocturnal and Iriomote roads are dark. Residents are told to drive slowly at night.9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
About habu snakes (venomous).9 views
|
|
Times for sunrise, sunset, moon rise/set, and high/low tide on Iriomote in Oct.9 views
|
|
Stuffed toy Iriomote wildcat.9 views
|
|
Looking toward Taketomi island in the distance.9 views
|
|
Cape Manzamo elephant trunk (rock).9 views
|
|
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
|
|
Drive further around Sakieda Peninsula and see Ishigaki Cape Ogansaki Lighthouse. Built in March 1983. 石垣御神埼灯台9 views
|
|
Taking off from the runway at Ishigaki Airport.9 views
|
|
About Gushiken Yoko. Born 1955.9 views
|
|
Ishigaki Port boat dock.9 views
|
|
Our Anei Kanko high-speed boat to Iriomote. 第12あんえい号9 views総トン数19t 旅客定員89名 航海速力38.0ノット 2003年12月進水・2004年1月就航
|
|
Inside our Anei Kanko high-speed boat to Iriomote, No. 12 Anei with a capacity for 89 passengers. 第12あんえい号9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
When going on hikes, best to wear long sleeves and long pants so the tree branches, leaves, etc., don't scratch you. Also protection from bugs. 9 views
|
|
These mangroves are a National Natural Monument.9 views
|
|
Sakishima suounoki mangroves, Iriomote. サキシマスオウノキ (古見)9 views
|
|
Different plant growing on a branch of this looking-glass mangrove.9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
Entrance to Takemori Inn/Ryokan (竹盛旅館) in Otomi, where we stayed for a night. Photo by Kinjo Toru. https://www.takemori-inn.net/9 viewsMap: https://goo.gl/maps/pG9zEMWQ1Zozys1x5
|
|
Outside my room at Takemori Ryokan on Iriomote.9 views
|
|
Modern bathroom at Takemori Ryokan on Iriomote.9 views
|
|
Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)9 views
|
|
Stargazing amid sugar cane in Mare district, Iriomote. (マーレ地区)9 views
|
|
Entrance to Ishigaki Yaeyama Museum that opened in 1972 to mark the reversion of Okinawa to Japan. It's right near Ishigaki Port. 石垣市立八重山博物館9 views
|
|
In front of Ishigaki Port is Hotel Miyahira. Went there for lunch.9 views
|
|
Entrance to Kokusai-dori.9 views
|
|
Entrance to Kokusai-dori is flanked by two shisa guardian lion-dogs.9 views
|
|
Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.9 views
|
|
Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
In central Naha, Kokusai-dori (国際通り), main drag of tourist shops and restaurants. Lined with palm trees.9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
Gift shop modeled after Shuri Castle.9 views
|
|
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
|
|
9 views
|
|
|
|
This new tart flavor is also good.9 views
|
|
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
|
|
"Okinawa Aloha," apparently Hawaii is idolized in Okinawa.9 views
|
|
Sanshin for sale on Kokusai-dori.9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
Ichiba-Hondori shopping arcade. 9 views
|
|
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
|
|
Sam's Maui on Kokusai-dori, Naha.9 views
|
|
Naha Bus on Kokusai-dori. There are larger buses too.9 views
|
|
Rawhide on Kokusai-dori.9 views
|
|
Not so many tourists in Okinawa during the coronavirus pandemic.9 views
|
|
Another Okinawan live house on Kokusai-dori.9 views
|
|
Lizard on Kokusai-dori.9 views
|
|
Go to Travel discounts were great in autumn 2020 in Naha, Okinawa.9 views
|
|
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
|
|
Washita Shop sells CDs besides food and drink.9 views
|
|
Beni-imo soft service ice cream cone from Blue Seal.9 views
|
|
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
|
|
Pallet Kumoji steps.9 views
|
|
8 views
|
|
Mouth of Maira River (マイラ川) before sunrise, short drive from the main town of Ohara. Sunrise was about 6:50 am. 8 views
|
|
We anchored to watch the sunrise.8 views
|
|
Sunrise kayaking on Iriomote, Yaeyama, Okinawa.8 views
|
|
Iriomote sunrise at Maira River.8 views
|
|
Maira River, Iriomote.8 views
|
|
Iriomote with the main town of Ohara on the lower right.8 views
|
|
8 views
|
|
Skeleton of Iriomote wildcat.8 views
|
|
Bats on Iriomote.8 views
|
|
On Cape Ogansaki, memorial for the 35 people who died in the Yaeyama Maru that was shipwrecked on Dec. 8, 1952 off this coast. 御神埼8 viewsMonument was built in Dec. 1976.
|
|
Inside the Ishigaki Port terminal building. This building opened on Jan. 31, 2007 after the terminal and boat docks were moved here from the old port only 200 meters east. On the right is a planetarium.8 views
|
|
Floor plan of Ishigaki Port terminal building which opened in Jan. 2007 after moving from the old port 200 meters from here.8 views
|
|
Tour agency office near the port terminal.8 views
|
|
At the docks.8 views
|
|
There are four floating boat docks where boats can dock on both sides. They have red roof tiles.8 views
|
|
Statue of Gushiken Yoko at Ishigaki Port, former pro boxer and local hero from Ishigaki. This statue was unveiled in Dec. 2013.8 views
|
|
Departing Ishigaki Port.8 views
|
|
Japan Coast Guard boat. They have the hard job of patrolling and protecting the nearby Senkaku Islands, part of Ishigaki.8 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8 views
|
|
Car ferry named "Kariyushi" which is an Okinawan tropical shirt.8 views
|
|
Our tour guide took a picture of us on Yarabudake.8 views
|
|
My Japanese-style room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote.8 views
|
|
Outside my room at Takemori Inn on Iriomote. View of the bridge to Ohara across Nakama River.8 views
|
|
Orion constellation above Iriomote.8 views
|
|
Almost full moon above Iriomote.8 views
|
|
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. It didn't have a passenger terminal building like today, only tour agent offices.8 views
|
|
In front of Ishigaki City Hall, a tree planted to reaffirm sister-city relations in 1999 between Ishigaki and Kauai, Hawaii. Planted by then Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka. Ishigaki and Kauai have been sister cities since May 1963.8 views
|
|
Yaeyama Post Office Ishigaki Port in central Ishigaki.8 views
|
|
Inside Ishigaki Yaeyama Museum. Exhibits Yaeyama's archaeology, history, art, and folk customs. 石垣市立八重山博物館8 views
|
|
Euglena Mall years ago. A small shopping arcade very near Ishigaki Port.8 views
|
|
Hirugi Restaurant in Hotel Miyahira, Ishigaki. Notice the chopstick rest made of a shell.8 views
|
|
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.
|
|
Off we go. The water was shallow, but we still wore lifejackets.7 views
|
|
We were on time for the sunrise.7 views
|
|
7 views
|
|
Maira River lined with mangroves.7 views
|
|
Mouth of Maira River at high tide. The brackish water is quite shallow, no more than 1 or 2 feet deep.7 views
|
|
Mouth of Maira River at low tide when we passed by the day before.7 views
|
|
Mouth of Maira River at low tide when we passed by the day before.7 views
|
|
Cape Ogansaki 御神埼7 views
|
|
Cape Ogansaki 御神埼7 views
|
|
Cape Ogansaki 御神埼7 views
|
|
Cape Ogansaki 御神埼7 views
|
|
Cape Ogansaki 御神埼7 views
|
|
Yellow hibiscus7 views
|
|
Landing in Naha Airport. The new international terminal was not built yet.6 views
|
|
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.
|
|
Naminoue Shrine torii. 波上宮 5 views
|
|
Wash basin at Naminoue Shrine.5 views
|
|
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.
|
|
Dragon bridge across Tomari Port.5 views
|
|
Dragon bridge across Tomari Port.5 views
|
|
Departure info on screen.5 views
|
|
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
|
|
Habu's nostril, eyes, and pit.5 views
|
|
The mongoose immediately and hilariously swam through the tube, winning the race hands down.5 views
|
|
Exhibits of different species of habu. This one is from Kumejima island.5 views
|
|
5 views
|
|
Uezu Residence is the grandest home in the park. Many of the homes are National Tangible Cultural Properties.上州家5 views
|
|
Inside Okinawa Culture Center. Two rooms with glass cases of artifacts.5 views
|
|
5 views
|
|
5 views
|
|
Laughing shisa in the gift shop.5 views
|
|
Tomari Ohashi Bridge also has a pedestrian sidewalk. 泊大橋4 views
|
|
Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.4 views
|
|
Statue of ?? at Naminoue Shrine.4 views
|
|
Older photo of the monument when it looked more new.4 views
|
|
Floor map of Tomarin.4 views
|
|
Boat dock at Tomari Port , Naha.4 views
|
|
These planes look to be on display, as seen from Yui Rail.4 views
|
|
Naha Airport terminal map.4 views
|
|
Stained glass at the end of the terminal.4 views
|
|
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
|
|
Seesaa at the entrance of Okinawa World. 4 views
|
|
4 views
|
|
The habu's rear pair of fangs excrete the venom.4 views
|
|
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
|
|
4 views
|
|
Okinawan shishi-mai lion dance.4 views
|
|
Inside Uezu Residence. Sanshin also displayed.4 views
|
|
At Okinawa World, studio to try on Okinawan bingata kimono and pose for photos.4 views
|
|
About shisa in Okinawa.4 views
|
|
Bus came on time. No. 83 back to Naha.4 views
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Naminoue Beach in central Okinawa. A local favorite and convenient for Naha locals in summer.3 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach in central Naha is convenient for a quick swim or sunbathing. 波の上ビーチ3 views
|
|
Naminoue beach, Naha3 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach Park.3 views
|
|
About the Naha-Fuzhou Friendship City Exchange Monuments (Ryuchu dragon pillars) in Naha, Okinawa.3 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine torii.3 views
|
|
Wash basin closed as a Covid safety measure.3 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine's main hall. 波上宮 3 views
|
|
Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine office where you can buy charms or request prayer ceremonies.3 views
|
|
Poem by Emperor Showa at Naminoue Shrine.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Pink hibiscus at the cemetery.3 views
|
|
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
|
|
Perry Monument marking the place where he landed on June 6, 1853. The monument is within the Foreigners' Cemetery in Naha, Okinawa.3 views
|
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
Tomarin Park next to Tomari Port. 泊緑地 3 views
|
|
SIgns at Tomari Port.3 views
|
|
At Tomari Port, ticket office for Tokashiki island.3 views
|
|
Tomari Port, Naha.3 views
|
|
Boat dock at Tomari Port.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
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
|
|
Yui Rail Naha Airport Station platform.3 views
|
|
Yui Rail train at Naha Airport Station.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Exhibition space at Naha Airport departure gates.3 views
|
|
Waiting area at Naha Airport gates.3 views
|
|
Gate 23 at Naha Airport for Ishigaki.3 views
|
|
Jet way with flowers at Naha.3 views
|
|
Helicopter landing in Naha.3 views
|
|
Blue whale shark Japan Transocean Air (JTA) Boeing 737-800 plane taking off from Naha Airport.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Pink whale shark Japan Transocean Air (JTA) Boeing 737-800 plane at Naha Airport.3 views
|
|
Ryukyu Air Commuter DHC8-Q400CC (DH4) turboprop plane at Naha Airport.3 views
|
|
Ryukyu Air Commuter DHC8-Q400CC (DH4) propeller plane taking off from Naha Airport.3 views
|
|
Naha Airport Domestic Terminal.3 views
|
|
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
|
|
Lots of blue lighting.3 views
|
|
The cavern basically follows an underground stream. Tourists can walk on this walkway. It's always wet and water dripping.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Not sure if this is the natural color or the color of the lights.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Japanese mitten crab, one of the creatures that live in the cavern. モクズガニ3 views
|
|
Freshwater goby, one of the creatures that live in the cavern. ヨシノボリ3 views
|
|
Striking reach of the habu is much wider compared to a cobra. It's 360˚ all around. Watch out for it.3 views
|
|
Where habu bites occur. Most common (31.8%) on the fingers, then the calf of your leg. Ouch!3 views
|
|
Hooked poles for catching habu. Habu are caught for making Habu-shu liquor.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Bats sleeping.3 views
|
|
Okinawan Eisa drummers.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
About the stone walls.3 views
|
|
3 views
|
|
Okinawan children's toys.3 views
|
|
About the Sanshin, Okinawa's shamisen string instrument famous for snakeskin (not habu).3 views
|
|
Red hibiscus3 views
|
|
Kingdom Village also has a noborigama sloping kiln for pottery. 登り窯3 views
|
|
Glassware you can make at Ryukyu Glass Kingdom Studio.3 views
|
|
Okinawa World's gift shop.3 views
|
|
|
|
Some sugar cane in Nanjo, Okinawa.3 views
|
|
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
|
|
About the stone monument to mark the completion of the stone-paved path from Urasoe Castle to Shuri Castle.3 views
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Although this big bridge is right in front, most people don't seem to mind it.2 views
|
|
2 views
|
|
2 views
|
|
Bleachers at Naminoue Beach.2 views
|
|
Okinawan-style restrooms at Naminoue Beach.2 views
|
|
Map of the beaches in Naminoue area.2 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach Park.2 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach Park.2 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach Park.2 views
|
|
Near Naminoue Beach is this pair of Ryuchu dragon pillars on Wakasa-naka-dori road. 龍柱 2 views
|
|
Ryuchu dragon pillar in Naha, Okinawa.2 views
|
|
Anatomy of Ryuchu dragon pillars.2 views
|
|
About Naminoue Shrine.2 views
|
|
2 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine roof.2 views
|
|
Inside Naminoue Shrine's Haiden, a ceremony taking place.2 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine office.2 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine's ema prayer tablet. (For the Year of the Mouse in 2020.)2 views
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Captain Basil Hall monument in Tomarin Park, Naha, Okinawa.2 views
|
|
About Captain Basil Hall.2 views
|
|
Tomari Port or Tomarin Port terminal building, Naha, Okinawa.2 views
|
|
Inside Tomarin (Tomari Port building). Boat/ferry ticket windows.2 views
|
|
At Tomari Port, ticket window for Zamami island.2 views
|
|
Map to the boat dock for Tokashiki island.2 views
|
|
Pure yellow hibiscus.2 views
|
|
Upon landing in Naha Airport, taxiing to the terminal. The main terminal can be seen in the distance.2 views
|
|
Jetways at Naha Airport are decorated with orchids. A very nice touch.2 views
|
|
| 1523 files on 7 page(s) |
 |
|
|
5 | |
|
