Most viewed - OKINAWA ISLAND 沖縄本島 |
It was a happy kingdom until the Satsuma Clan in Kagoshima invaded and conquered the Ryukyus and made it a vassal state in 1609. 21 viewsThe Sho kings were allowed to keep their position, but had to rule as directed by the Satsuma. Heavy taxes were imposed on Ryukyuans.
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Remains of a lion head sculpture that was on the Seiden's roof. 21 views
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Well connected to an underground water reservoir.21 views
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About Hakuginmon Gate. 白銀門(はくぎんもん)21 views
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Agari-no Azana lookout point. 東のアザナ21 views
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Back of Keizuza and Yomotsuza. 系図座・用物座21 views
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In Okinawa, tree roots are always exposed because of frequent typhoons eroding the soil with winds and rains.21 views
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Exhibition of the "Tempest" TV series set in Okinawa.21 views
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Site of Enkakuji Temple. 円覚寺21 views
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Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts.21 views
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Shuri Station on the Yui Rail Line. Closest station to Shuri Castle. About a 15-min. walk. 首里駅21 views
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Kouri Island's best beach is Kouri Beach next to Kouri Bridge. There's a parking lot and snack bar and gift shop. Also shower faciilties. This was autumn, so too cold to swim. Beach is 300m long. 古宇利ビーチ21 views
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There's the tower.21 views
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The cart path has a few scenic views.21 views
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Kouri Ocean Tower includes a shell museum.21 views
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A few historical spots on the island.21 views
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Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.21 views
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Okinawan dolls for sale on Kokusai-dori.21 views
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Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル21 views
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The show is from 7 pm to 10 pm when they play three sets (two intermissions) for a cover charge of only ¥2,300 (as of Nov. 2020). Food and drink are extra.21 viewshttp://livehousesimauta.com/
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Kohama Rin (小濱凜) wears a bingata kimono. 紅型 They wear different Okinawan costumes for each set. Colorful eye candy. Wish they also explained the Okinawan design of their gorgeous kimono. Crowd-pleasing entertainment.21 views
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Still photography is allowed, but no videos.21 views
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Taiko drums is also big in Okinawan music. 21 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.21 views
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Noren-gai restaurant complex.21 views
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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)21 views
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Short walk from the station, but you need to know where to turn right and go up this slope. It's not clearly marked from the road.21 views
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About the Cornerstone of Peace. http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/20 views
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Names of 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.20 views
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Himeyuri Peace Museum courtyard.20 views
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Ryukyu pine trees on the way to Shuri Castle.20 views
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Roukokumon Gate follows Zuisenmon. 漏刻門(ろうこくもん)20 views
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Kyukeimon Gate 久慶門(きゅうけいもん)20 views
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In the Shicha-nu Una is this small prefab workshop where the stone dragon pillars that stood in front of the Seiden main hall are being repaired.20 views
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Also in the Shicha-nu Una lower courtyard is the Keizuza and Yomotsuza, now a rest house for tourists. 系図座・用物座20 views
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Schedule of events for the Shuri Castle Matsuri Festival in early Nov. 2020.20 views
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View of the Una from the Seiden site. These photos were taken in early Nov. 2020.20 views
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Pieces from the Seiden's stone railings.20 views
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A lot of red roof tiles have been salvaged. They had volunteers painstakingly scrape off the white plaster adhering to the roof tiles. The old roof tiles cannot be reused as is.20 viewsBut roof tile experts are investigating ways to recycle the salvaged roof tiles. They will likely crush them into powder and mix it with new clay to make new roof tiles.
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On the Seiden foundation, pillar foundation stones and an outdoor display of the remains of the rooftop dragon head sculptures. 20 viewsThe curly-cue metal pieces were the dragon's whiskers. 龍頭棟飾 ryutomuna-kazari
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The dragon eyes, scales, etc., also on display in broken pieces. 20 views
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Red roof tile pieces salvaged from the fire.20 views
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This is directly behind the Seiden, an area called the Ouchibara (御内原) which was the living quarters of the royal family and female attendants. 20 viewsSleeping quarters, dining room, bath house for female attendants were here. Men, except for the royal family, were forbidden from this guarded area.
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Nyokan Kyoshitsu's right corner scorched from the burning Seiden. 女官居室(にょかんきょしつ)20 views
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Kunebu/Kunibo/Kunenbo citrus plants. 九年母20 views
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Agari-no Azana lookout point. Opposite side of the ocean. 東のアザナ20 views
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View from Agari-no Azana lookout point.20 views
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Mamo-no-uchi Utaki sacred site in the Ouchibara. 御内原ノマモノ内ノ御嶽20 views
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About Mamo-no-uchi Utaki sacred site.20 views
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Kyo-no-uchi wall.20 views
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Map of Shurijo Castle Park.20 views
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About the Kyo-no-uchi area of the castle. Didn't go there though. 京の内20 views
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In Okinawa, tree roots are always exposed because of frequent typhoons eroding the soil with winds and rains.20 views
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From Shuri Castle's Iri-no Azana western lookout deck, view of Naha looking toward the ocean. 西のアザナ(いりのあざな)20 views
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Kobikimon Gate is the exit. Also the entrance for wheelchair users. 木曳門20 views
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Stone marker for Shurijo Castle. Near Kobikimon.20 views
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Suimuikan lower entrance. 首里杜館20 views
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In this corner of Shuri Castle, Benzaiten-do Hall to worship the goddess Benzaiten surrounded by Enkanchi Pond. 弁財天堂と円鑑池20 views
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Benzaiten-do Hall at Shuri Castle. 弁財天堂20 views
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Koban police box in Shuri.20 views
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Another rooftop seesaa.20 views
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Shuri Station platform on the Yui Rail Line. Closest station to Shuri Castle. 首里駅20 views
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The road going around the island doesn't go along the coast, so there's almost nothing to see.20 views
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The cart drives by itself along this path up the hill.20 views
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Impressive how the cart is automated. One-way only. Return path is different and much shorter.20 views
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View from cart path to Kouri Ocean Tower.20 views
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The top deck also has this "Happiness Bell," but the rope to ring it has been removed to prevent Covid infections.20 views
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Beautiful ocean views from Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.20 views
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Kariyushi shirts, Okinawan-style Aloha shirts.20 views
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Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル20 views
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Famous Nenes/Nenez perform at Live House Shima-uta on most nights. Third floor of Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori.20 viewshttp://livehousesimauta.com/
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Rin also plays the ʻukulele as a hobby.20 views
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The sanshin is a modest instrument, used to complement the singing. Okinawan folk songs focus on the singing, not the instruments. 20 viewsThis is opposite from the Tsugaru-jamisen (shamisen) in Aomori Prefecture which uses the showy jamisen as the main focus with long jamisen instrumentals.
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Heiwa-dori shopping arcade20 views
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Nice Okinawan shop signs here and there on Kokusai-dori.20 views
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Tenbusu Naha てんぶす那覇 20 views
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Noren-gai restaurant complex.20 views
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Mabuni Cliff19 views
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Names of 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.19 views
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Major structures at Shuri Castle. The Seiden main hall was sadly destroyed by an electrical fire in Oct. 2019. I visited in Nov. 2020, a year after the fire. The castle grounds were closed afterthe fire, but it gradually opened up.19 viewsThe remains of the Seiden can be toured.
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Nice long path along the castle wall leading to the entrance of Shuri Castle.19 views
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Shureimon Gate (守礼門), one of the castle's main gates. This gate was reconstructed in 1958 since most castle structures got destroyed during World War II. 19 views
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"Shurei no Kuni"19 views
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Seesaa at Kankaimon Gate.19 views
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Sappo poetry monuments along the steps. 冊封七碑(さっぽうしちひ)19 views
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Seesaa at Zuisenmon Gate.19 views
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Back of Roukokumon Gate. The building is not open to the public. 漏刻門(ろうこくもん)19 views
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Kofukumon Gate to Shicha-nu Una courtyard. 広福門(こうふくもん)19 views
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Shuri Castle ticket office at Kofukumon Gate.19 views
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Repairing the Seiden's stone dragon pillars.19 views
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Shuri Suimui Utaki sacred site. 首里森御嶽(すいむいうたき)19 views
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The building was only 27 years old. If you've never saw it, you missed out. The black bags contain red roof tiles salvaged from the fire.19 views
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The dragon whiskers, teeth, etc., on display in broken pieces. 19 views
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Explanation of the rooftop dragonhead ornaments. 火災前の龍頭棟飾19 views
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Rear pillar stones of the Seiden, looking toward the Ouchibara. The Yohokoriden is seen directly ahead.19 views
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The Japanese government has declared that the castle is to be rebuilt by 2026. The reconstruction committee is now working on the building's design and blueprints. 19 viewsConstruction will start within two years. We can be sure that they will also install a sprinkler system this time.
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Nyokan Kyoshitsu's right corner scorched from the burning Seiden.19 views
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They were also last year's king and queen. They are reprising their roles this year because this year's contest in September 2020 to select a king and queen was canceled.19 viewsAbout the king and queen: http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2020/11/06/32933/
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Prefab building displaying some ornamental remains salvaged from the fire.19 views
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Walking back down from Agari-no Azana lookout.19 views
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Hakuginmon Gate (restored) to the sacred Shinbyoden. 白銀門(はくぎんもん)19 views
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Way to Agari-no Azana lookout point.19 views
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Mamo-no-uchi Utaki sacred site in the Ouchibara.19 views
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The other side is the way up to Agari-no Azana lookout.19 views
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Back to the Shicha-nu Una plaza, I noticed people resting inside the Keizuza and Yomotsuza. 系図座・用物座19 views
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From Shuri Castle's Iri-no Azana western lookout deck, view of Naha looking toward the ocean. 西のアザナ(いりのあざな)19 views
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From Shuri Castle's Iri-no Azana western lookout deck, view of central Naha looking toward the ocean. 西のアザナ(いりのあざな)19 views
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Gift shops near Suimuikan.19 views
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Exhibition of the "Tempest" TV series set in Okinawa.19 views
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Tennyobashi Bridge to Benzaiten-do Hall. The railings have lotus engravings. 弁財天堂と円鑑池19 views
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Tennyobashi Bridge19 views
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About Enkakuji Temple.19 views
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Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts.19 views
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Hibiscus19 views
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On the 1st anniversary of the Shurijo Castle fire in late Oct. 2020, Okinawa held a few events to give hope. We attended an evening reception at Shuri Castle for tourism professionals.19 viewsThis was outdoors in front of the reconstructed Keizuza/Yomotsuza. It had a makeshift stage for Okinawan entertainment.
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We didn't see any signs to turn into side roads to see local sights like the heart-shaped rocks on the beach. We missed it.19 views
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Here's a cart going up to Kouri Ocean Tower. The cart is also narrated with scenic points. This was after our cart.19 views
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Pink coral.19 views
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Kouri Island's best lookout point is here, Kouri Ocean Tower's top deck which is outdoors on the 4th floor.19 views
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Kouri Ohashi Bridge as seen from Kouri Ocean Tower's top deck.19 views
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View of Yagaji Island.19 views
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Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.19 views
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Lots of T-shirt shops on Kokusai-dori, but most are not made in Okinawa.19 views
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Haisai T-shirt. "Haisai" is a "hello" greeting for men.19 views
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Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori is where the Nenes/Nenez perform at Live House Shima-uta on the 3rd floor.19 views
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Live House Shima-uta. About 50 people can fit into the club. Entirely non-smoking. Reservations recommended.19 views
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She plays the sanshin (三線), another icon of Okinawa. The three-stringed sanshin came to Okinawa (Ryukyu Kingdom) from China in the 16th century. It later evolved into the shamisen on mainland Japan.19 views
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Yonaha Ruon (与那覇琉音) is the youngest member and plays this Okinawan instrument called the "sanba" (三板). It's three small pieces of wood strung together to make clacking sounds. Love the sanba. 19 views
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Live House Shima-uta menu. Reasonable prices. Official website usually has a coupon for a free side dish.19 views
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The club had their CDs on sale, but they weren't autographed.19 views
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Pedestrain paradise on Kokusai-dori on Sunday.19 views
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Rubber slippers19 views
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Ichiba-Hondori shopping arcade. 19 views
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Goya chips.19 views
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Rawhide on Kokusai-dori.19 views
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Not so many tourists in Okinawa during the coronavirus pandemic.19 views
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A&W restaurant's Kokusai-dori branch is at the entrance to Kokusai-dori on the 2nd floor.19 views
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Kencho-mae Station on the Yui Rail, the closest station to Kokusai-dori. 県庁前駅19 views
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Also showed a cobra and tried to provoke it to show its expanded neck.19 views
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ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort as seen from Manzamo. 18 views
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Japanese victims are inscribed by prefecture. Foreign nationals are inscribed by country.18 views
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At the castle wall, go right and walk along the stone wall.18 views
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During World War II, the Japanese Army's HQ was in underground bunkers under Shuri Castle. One entrance was right near Shureimon Gate.18 views
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Going through Zuisenmon Gate. 瑞泉門18 views
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About the stone dragon pillars.18 views
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Left side of the Seiden site.18 views
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One thing that they're all saying is, "We shall rebuild it and make it EVEN BETTER than ever before."18 views
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About the well.18 views
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View of castle buildings from Agari-no Azana lookout point.18 views
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View from Agari-no Azana lookout point.18 views
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Way to Kyo-no-uchi.18 views
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Iri-no Azana lookout deck. 西のアザナ(いりのあざな)18 views
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From Shuri Castle's Iri-no Azana western lookout deck, view of Naha looking toward the ocean. 西のアザナ(いりのあざな)18 views
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Seesaa at Suimuikan entrance.18 views
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Costume worn by actress Nakama Yukie.18 views
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Benzaiten-do Hall wall.18 views
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We started driving around the island.18 views
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Kouri Bridge at Kouri Beach.18 views
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Map of Kouri Ocean Tower.18 views
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Kouri Ocean Tower's admission fee includes a cart ride up the hill to the tower.18 views
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Approaching Kouri Ocean Tower.18 views
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Beautiful ocean views from Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.18 views
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Some natural formations on Kouri Island.18 views
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Main side of the island near the bridge.18 views
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Intersection in front of Kokusai-dori.18 views
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Entrance to Kokusai-dori.18 views
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Entrance to Kokusai-dori.18 views
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Shisa guardian lion-dog.18 views
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Gift shop modeled after Shuri Castle.18 views
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Gift shop modeled after Shuri Castle.18 views
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Beni-imo tarts are Okinawa's most famous confection and omiyage gift. Made of Okinawan sweet potato (purple yam) in a boat-like crust.18 views
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This new tart flavor is also good.18 views
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Kariyushi shirts, Okinawan-style Aloha shirts. Make sure the shirt is made in Okinawa. Cheaper ones are made elsewhere in Asia.18 views
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Taiko drums for sale on Kokusai-dori.18 views
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Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル18 views
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Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル18 views
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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.18 views
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Colorful neon signs at Kokusai-dori, Naha.18 views
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Sam's Maui on Kokusai-dori, Naha.18 views
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Naha Bus stop on Kokusai-dori.18 views
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Lots of Okinawan restaurants on Kokusai-dori.18 views
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Lizard on Kokusai-dori.18 views
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Go to Travel discounts were great in autumn 2020 in Naha, Okinawa.18 views
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Washita Shop sells CDs besides food and drink.18 views
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Blue Seal ice cream, another brand associated with Okinawa.18 views
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Beni-imo soft service ice cream cone from Blue Seal.18 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)18 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, 18 viewsand Eisa drum show. Major tourist attraction in the southern part of Okinawa island.
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Freshwater goby, one of the creatures that live in the cavern. ヨシノボリ18 views
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First-aid for a habu bite. Suck out the venom and spit it out.18 views
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Okinawan shishi-mai lion dance.18 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18 views
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Urasoe Castle (浦添城) is on a low hill near Urasoe-Maeda Station on Yui Rail.18 views
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Walking to the Cornerstone of Peace.17 views
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Flame of Peace in the world map. 平和の火17 views
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About the Cornerstone of Peace.17 views
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When you walk toward Kankaimon Gate to enter Shuri Castle, you'll see Shureimon Gate right across. However, this is the back side, so go through the gate and see it from the front side.17 views
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After Kankaimon is Zuisenmon Gate near a spring. Restored in 1992. 瑞泉門17 views
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About Roukokumon Gate.17 views
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On the left side of the Seiden site, remains of rooftop dragon head sculptures are displayed.17 views
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Path to Agari-no Azana lookout point.17 views
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Shinbyoden is a sacred spot where a deceased Ryukyu king laid in state. 寝廟殿(しんびょうでん)17 views
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Agari-no Azana lookout point on the eastern end of Shurijo. "Agari" means "east" in Okinawan. 東のアザナ17 views
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Walking back down from Agari-no Azana lookout. Straight ahead is the Nyokan Kyoshitsu.17 views
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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17 views
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Caps worn by actress Nakama Yukie in Tempest.17 views
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About Kouri Island.17 views
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Event calendar on Kouri Island.17 views
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Island's main neighborhood has a few cafes.17 views
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Had lunch here at Airando FIJI Restaurant & Cafe. It had a view of the bridge and ocean on the roof too.17 views
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Map of Kokusai-dori.17 views
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Okinawan dolls for sale on Kokusai-dori.17 views
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Doesn't feel like I'm in Okinawa until I see and hear Okinawan music. Well-known Okinawan female quartet since the 1990s.17 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.
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They've lasted this long thanks to occasional personnel changes. The current members are the sixth incarnation of the group.17 views
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Rubber slippers17 views
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Not so many people during a pandemic.17 views
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Most cheap clothing not made in Okinawa. The cheap ones especially.17 views
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