The Keramas include the islands of Tokashiki, Zamami, Aka, and Geruma and a number of smaller uninhabited islands. The governing structure divide them among Tokashiki Village http://vill.tokashiki.okinawa.jp and Zamami Village http://vill.zamami.okinawa.jp, which also includes Aka and Geruma islands.
The small island villages preserve the flavor of Okinawan village life and the beaches are better than those on the main island. The ferries to these islands is less than $30 round trip and is probably one of the gread bargains of Okinawa travel. Humpback whales are visible during the January to April.
Kerama, Tokashiki, Zamami Islands
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Central Okinawa Itinerary
Central Okinawa is the area north of Naha and south of Onna and Kin villages. Attractions include the Okinawa Convention Center, Mihama American Village shopping area, Nakagusuku Castle, Nakamura House, Katsuren Castle, Southeast Botanical Gardens, the clubs and nightlife of Okinawa City and the attractions of Yomitan Pennisula which are listed separately.
Central Okinawa is also home to many of the American military bases including USMC camps Kinser, Foster, Lester, Futenma MCAS, and USAF Kadena Air Base. USMC Camp Schwab and Camp Hansen are further north on the Pacific coast.
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Northern Okinawa itinerary
Northern Okinawa itinerary.
Okinawa north of the Yomitan Pennisula is sparsely inhabited compared to crowded Naha. Attractions include the beaches and resorts of Onna, Cape Manzamo, the city of Nago, Motobu pennisula with Ocean Expo Park and Churaumi Aquarium, and Nakajin Castle ruins. The area north of Nago is undeveloped mountain country commonly called Yanbaru containing Hiji Falls, Pineapple Park and Hedo, the northern most point of Okinawa.
Getting there: There are a number of Tour bus packages that depart from the Naha Bus Terminal and cost about 5500 Yen per adult. The tours don’t always include admission to all venues.
The Okinawa Expressway toll road will halve the time driving from Naha to Nago (about 1000 yen per car) but you’ll miss the drive up the Onna coast.
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Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Park
Located in Mabuni, Itoman City. This park is built upon the site the final fighting of the Battle of Okinawa. This park is in tribute to the hundreds of thousands who died in the "typhoon of steel" and includes the names of 1200 Americans who perished in the last great battle of World War II.
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Gyokusendo Okinawa World Theme Park
This is a favorite for bus tours. Attractions include a recreated traditional village, demonstrations of glass blowing, weaving and pottery, traditional dances and music in a performance plaza. The park includes Gyokusendo, a 5 kilometer limestone cave with a 890 meter promenade. There is also a Habu Center to learn about the habu, the poisonous snake indigenous to the Ryukyus.
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Gambate to Hiji Falls
Friday, March 09, 2007
Gambate to Hiji Falls
I wake up before the 7:00 A.M. alarm in anticipation of our drive to Hiji Falls. Takaki has another day off and has offered to take us to the falls and to Hedo point, the most northern point of Okinawa.
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Nakamura House & Seifa Utaki
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Nakamura House & Seifa Utaki
It’s another grey day and I expect to be homebound all day but when I return from making morning phone calls Art tells me that Takaaki is stopping by. I am elated! He suggests lunch at a Mexican Restaurant near the Mihama American Village, outside of U.S.M.C. Camp Foster.
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Southern Okinawa Guide and Itinerary
Southern Okinawa is the area south of Naha. It’s attractions include most of the World War II memorial sites including Himeyuri Monument and Museum (Cave of the Virgins) . Se-fa Utaki (Okinawa’s most sacred site), Okinawa World Theme Park and Gyokusendo Cave are also located in the southern part of the island..
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Naha City Area Guide and Itinerary
Naha is the capital of Okinawa and it’s largest city. Most visitors will fly into Naha Airport and will find Naha the logical place to begin their Okinawa experience. The Naha experience can be roughly divided into three sections.
First is the historical experience of Shuri Castle and it’s adjacent attractions
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Okinawa
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Okinawa’s Imperfect Weather
Island fever is settling in on John and me. I want the grey skies, rain and winds to go away. We arrived on Okinawa in early February and the weather was so consistently glorious that I hoped for the occasional cloudy or drizzly day to decompress. We seem to have now entered a new weather pattern for March and rain is predicted to continue for the next week.
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