 Most viewed - OKINAWA ISLAND 沖縄本島 |
Pallet Kumoji steps.16 views
|
|
16 views
|
|
View from Manzamo.15 views
|
|
Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum (沖縄県平和祈念資料館)15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
About the Cornerstone of Peace.15 views
|
|
On the left side of the Seiden site, remains of rooftop dragon head sculptures are displayed.15 views
|
|
Walking back down from Agari-no Azana lookout. On the left is the back of the Yohokoriden.15 views
|
|
Suimuikan is another rest house for visitors. Basement has underground parking lots. 首里杜館15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Kouri Ocean Tower has three lookout decks and the top deck on the 4th floor is outdoors.15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Views from Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Entrance to Kokusai-dori is flanked by two shisa guardian lion-dogs.15 views
|
|
In central Naha, Kokusai-dori (国際通り), main drag of tourist shops and restaurants. Lined with palm trees.15 views
|
|
Map of Kokusai-dori.15 views
|
|
Gift shop modeled after Shuri Castle.15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
15 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building entrance on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル15 views
|
|
Okinawa Mart15 views
|
|
Sam's Maui on Kokusai-dori, Naha.15 views
|
|
Naha Bus on Kokusai-dori. There are larger buses too.15 views
|
|
Washita Shop sells CDs besides food and drink.15 views
|
|
Map of Cornerstone of Peace witin the Okinawa Peace Prayer Park.14 views
|
|
Cape Manzamo elephant trunk (rock).14 views
|
|
The cart path is lined with Okinawan plants and flowers.14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
|
Inside the Okashi Goten (御菓子御殿) tart shop.14 views
|
|
Beni-imo tart shop.14 views
|
|
Sanshin for sale on Kokusai-dori.14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Heiwa-dori shopping arcade, a side street off Kokusai-dori.14 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, 14 viewsand Eisa drum show. Major tourist attraction in the southern part of Okinawa island.
|
|
14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Also showed a cobra and tried to provoke it to show its expanded neck.14 views
|
|
Okinawan shishi-mai lion dance.14 views
|
|
At Okinawa World, studio to try on Okinawan bingata kimono and pose for photos.14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
14 views
|
|
Kingdom Village also has a noborigama sloping kiln for pottery. 登り窯14 views
|
|
About the Kouri Bridge.13 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. 13 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.13 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
|
|
Floor map of Tomarin.13 views
|
|
Yellow hibiscus13 views
|
|
Orchids inside Naha Airport. 胡蝶蘭13 views
|
|
Yui Rail Naha Airport Station platform.13 views
|
|
Naha Airport Domestic Terminal.13 views
|
|
"Ceiling of Spears" 槍天井13 views
|
|
Where the stalactites are too long, they had to be cut to make way for tourists.13 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
Freshwater goby, one of the creatures that live in the cavern. ヨシノボリ13 views
|
|
Striking reach of the habu is much wider compared to a cobra. It's 360˚ all around. Watch out for it.13 views
|
|
First-aid for a habu bite. Suck out the venom and spit it out.13 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
13 views
|
|
Okinawan shishi-mai lion dance.13 views
|
|
Uezu Residence is the grandest home in the park. Many of the homes are National Tangible Cultural Properties.上州家13 views
|
|
Stone wall for privacy in front of Uezu residence.13 views
|
|
Shisa made of ivory.13 views
|
|
How bingata kimono is made.13 views
|
|
|
|
"Okinawa Aloha," apparently Hawaii is idolized in Okinawa.12 views
|
|
Tomari Ohashi Bridge goes over Tomari Port. f泊大橋12 views
|
|
Statue of ?? at Naminoue Shrine.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Perry Monument marking the place where he landed on June 6, 1853. The monument is within the Foreigners' Cemetery in Naha, Okinawa.12 views
|
|
Dragon bridge across Tomari Port.12 views
|
|
Boat dock at Tomari Port , Naha.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Orchids on the concourse to the gates.12 views
|
|
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."12 views
|
|
Helicopter landing in Naha.12 views
|
|
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. 12 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.
|
|
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.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Lots of blue lighting.12 views
|
|
The cavern basically follows an underground stream. Tourists can walk on this walkway. It's always wet and water dripping.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Golden rock12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Habu's nostril, eyes, and pit.12 views
|
|
Where habu bites occur. Most common (31.8%) on the fingers, then the calf of your leg. Ouch!12 views
|
|
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.12 viewsSo what do they do with the snake after drinking the habu-shu? Would a bird of prey eat an alcohol-soaked snake?
|
|
Bats sleeping.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
About the stone walls.12 views
|
|
Inside Uezu Residence. Sanshin also displayed.12 views
|
|
Paper craft workshop. 紙漉き12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Okinawan children's toys.12 views
|
|
Weaving Okinawan fabrics.12 views
|
|
Okinawan red roof tiles12 views
|
|
Okinawa World's gift shop.12 views
|
|
Bus came on time. No. 83 back to Naha.12 views
|
|
Some sugar cane in Nanjo, Okinawa.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach in central Naha is convenient for a quick swim or sunbathing. 波の上ビーチ11 views
|
|
Naminoue beach, Naha11 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach Park.11 views
|
|
Naminoue Beach Park.11 views
|
|
Near Naminoue Beach is this pair of Ryuchu dragon pillars on Wakasa-naka-dori road. 龍柱 11 views
|
|
About the Naha-Fuzhou Friendship City Exchange Monuments (Ryuchu dragon pillars) in Naha, Okinawa.11 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine torii.11 views
|
|
Pink hibiscus at the cemetery.11 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11 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.11 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.11 views
|
|
Boat dock at Tomari Port.11 views
|
|
At Naha Airport, the jet way after getting off the plane. One thing I love about Naha Airport are the orchids.11 views
|
|
Orchids inside Naha Airport. 胡蝶蘭11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Blue whale shark Japan Transocean Air (JTA) Boeing 737-800 plane taking off from Naha Airport.11 views
|
|
Pink whale shark Japan Transocean Air (JTA) Boeing 737-800 plane at Naha Airport.11 views
|
|
Entering Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 at Naha Airport. Plane to Haneda.11 views
|
|
Landing in Naha Airport. The new international terminal was not built yet.11 views
|
|
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.11 views
|
|
Seesaa at the entrance of Okinawa World. 11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Blue Spring limestone dam.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
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.11 views
|
|
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.11 viewsThe mongoose was introduced to Okinawa in 1910 to control the habu population. But the mongoose instead preyed on other native species.
|
|
Inside Nanto Brewery producing habu-shu liquor. 南都酒造所11 views
|
|
Large taiko drum.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
Stone walls in front of Uezu residence.11 views
|
|
Inside Okinawa Culture Center. Two rooms with glass cases of artifacts.11 views
|
|
Another room of exhibits.11 views
|
|
Scale model of one shisa in front of Okinawa World's main gate.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
About the Sanshin, Okinawa's shamisen string instrument famous for snakeskin (not habu).11 views
|
|
Sugar Cane Hall also has a Sanshin exhibit.11 views
|
|
Side of the noborigama sloping kiln11 views
|
|
Glassware you can make at Ryukyu Glass Kingdom Studio.11 views
|
|
Laughing shisa in the gift shop.11 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. 11 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.11 views
|
|
About the stone monument to mark the completion of the stone-paved path from Urasoe Castle to Shuri Castle.11 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11 views
|
|
About the former site of the Aikoku Chiso Memorial Monument.11 views
|
|
Lots of craggy rocks on Hacksaw Ridge.11 views
|
|
11 views
|
|
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.11 views
|
|
Bleachers at Naminoue Beach.10 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine torii. 波上宮 10 views
|
|
Wash basin closed as a Covid safety measure.10 views
|
|
Poem by Emperor Showa at Naminoue Shrine.10 views
|
|
The Commodore Perry Landing Monument is also in the Tomari International Cemetery, seen here toward the left.10 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.10 views
|
|
Captain Basil Hall monument in Tomarin Park, Naha, Okinawa.10 views
|
|
SIgns at Tomari Port.10 views
|
|
Tomari Port, Naha.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Orchids and shishi lion inside Naha Airport. 胡蝶蘭10 views
|
|
These planes look to be on display, as seen from Yui Rail.10 views
|
|
Stained glass at the end of the terminal.10 views
|
|
Naha Airport departure gates.10 views
|
|
Exhibition space at Naha Airport departure gates.10 views
|
|
Waiting area at Naha Airport gates.10 views
|
|
Naha Airport gates also have gift shops for last-minute gifts. 10 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.10 views
|
|
Gate 23 at Naha Airport for Ishigaki.10 views
|
|
Ryukyu Air Commuter DHC8-Q400CC (DH4) propeller plane taking off from Naha Airport.10 views
|
|
Gate 23 at Naha Airport again. (Same gate as the flight to Ishigaki.)10 views
|
|
For Okinawa World, take the No. 83 bus. The bus leaves only once or twice an hour and takes about 45 min.10 views
|
|
Okinawa World's front gate is decorated by five seesaa/shisa to ward off evil and bring in good fortune.10 views
|
|
Okinawa World charges ¥2,000 admission. Open 9 am to 5 pm. Note that the park might be closed if there is a surge of Covid cases on Okinawa.10 views
|
|
Pair of shisa after entering the Okinawa World gate.10 views
|
|
The part of the cavern open to the public is 890 meters long. Takes about 30 min. to walk through it. Diverse features and stalactites everywhere with colored lighting.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Not sure if this is the natural color or the color of the lights.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Platform for a higher shot/view.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
The trainer explained about the habu while handling it with a hooked pole.10 views
|
|
The habu's rear pair of fangs excrete the venom.10 views
|
|
Two balloons to irritate the habu. 10 views
|
|
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.10 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.10 views
|
|
The mongoose immediately and hilariously swam through the tube, winning the race hands down.10 views
|
|
Hooked poles for catching habu. Habu are caught for making Habu-shu liquor.10 views
|
|
Boa constrictor.10 views
|
|
Eisa Plaza is where they perform the eisa drum show. エイサー広場10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Rear view of stone walls.10 views
|
|
Okinawa World's Kingdom Village also has other traditional Okinawan homes converted into gift shops and craft workshops.10 views
|
|
Lots of different shisa displayed in the museum.10 views
|
|
10 views
|
|
Okinawan children's toys.10 views
|
|
Small shisa for sale.10 views
|
|
About the noborigama sloping kiln.10 views
|
|
Pottery workshop in Okinawa World. 陶器工房10 views
|
|
Stone wall10 views
|
|
Orange hibiscus10 views
|
|
Shisa (シーサー) guardian lion dog statue on the roof.10 views
|
|
Historic cobblestone path part of the way up. Excavated in 2006.10 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. 10 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.
|
|
Tomari Ohashi Bridge also has a pedestrian sidewalk. 泊大橋9 views
|
|
Wash basin at Naminoue Shrine.9 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine's main hall. 波上宮 9 views
|
|
Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.9 views
|
|
Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.9 views
|
|
Naminoue Shrine office where you can buy charms or request prayer ceremonies.9 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, 9 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
|
|
Older photo of the monument when it looked more new. The lower plaque wasn't faded yet.9 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.
|
|
About Captain Basil Hall.9 views
|
|
Older photo of the monument when it looked more new.9 views
|
|
At Tomari Port, ticket office for Tokashiki island.9 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9 views
|
|
Outside the arrivals lobby are buses taking you to nearby rental car agencies.9 views
|
|
If you won't rent a car, take the Yui Rail to central Naha.9 views
|
|
Yui Rail train at Naha Airport Station.9 views
|
|
Naha Airport departure gates.9 views
|
|
Departure info on screen.9 views
|
|
Jet way with flowers at Naha.9 views
|
|
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.9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
Back at Naha Airport for another flight. Leaving for Haneda.9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 taking off from Naha Airport.9 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 g9 views
|
|
Approaching Naha Airport.9 views
|
|
Entrance to Gyokusendo Cavern or Cave. 玉泉洞9 views
|
|
9 views
|
|
| 980 files on 4 page(s) |
 |
3 |
|
