Oriental Hawaii—Okinawa

Okinawa Island (Japanese: Okinawa Island; Hiragana: おきなわしま; Roman pronunciation: Okinawashima) has mountainous areas in the north, accounting for two-thirds of the island, including Naha Mt., Kazu Udt. Onnagake et al. There are many mesas and plains in the south. To the northwest is a peninsula - Motobu Peninsula. To the northeast is the Kunigashi Mountains. Mainly agriculture, there are paddy fields and orchards, mainly producing pineapples and sugar cane. Rich in aquatic products. There are canning, sugar and other industries.

Naha is the largest port city. Located in the center of the Ryukyu Islands, southwest of Japan, between mainland Japan and Taiwan, China, it is the largest island in the archipelago. It is about 340 kilometers away from Kyushu Island in the north, about 107 kilometers long from north to south, about 31 kilometers wide, and about 560 kilometers in circumference. It covers an area of ??about 1,208 square kilometers and has a population of about 1.22 million. Okinawa's unique geographical location gives it a subtropical scenery that is rare in Japan. The palm trees and areca trees on the island, as well as the beaches and sea water, form a beautiful picture, which gives it the reputation of "Oriental Hawaii".

Relations with China

Okinawa, formerly known as "オキナワ", later introduced Taiwan's old name "Liuqiu" to become "Ryukyu". "Okinawa" was the name of the Japanese more than a hundred years ago In the name given to it, the word "Okinawa" was pronounced as "オキナワ". The Ryukyu Kingdom used to exist on the Ryukyu Islands. Just a hundred years ago, this kingdom still had its own language. During the Ming Dynasty of China, the ruler of Ryukyu Island was named King of Ryukyu. Because of its convenient waterways, it is a trade hub for neighboring countries. In 1609, a civil war broke out in southern Kyushu, Japan, and Ryukyu was almost annexed, but it still had autonomy. By the end of the 19th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom had been annexed by the Satsuma Domain of Kagoshima. In 1879, after the Meiji Restoration, the Ryukyu Kingdom was incorporated into Japanese territory, and Okinawa Prefecture was established in the same year. It was occupied by the United States after World War II. In 1953, the United States returned the Sanan Islands to Japan, and in 1972 it also returned the Ryukyu Islands. The Ryukyu Islands were also divided into two by Kagoshima Prefecture and Okinawa Prefecture: several northern islands were incorporated into Kagoshima Prefecture, while the remaining islands were formed into the new Okinawa Prefecture.

Okinawa Prefecture (Japanese: Okinawa Prefecture; Hiragana: おきなわけん; Roman pronunciation: Okinawa-ken) is located between Kyushu Island, Japan and Taiwan Province, China. It is an administrative region of Japan[1]. It belongs to the Kyushu region in Japan. It is centered on the Ryukyu Islands and consists of Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands and other islands. Many small islands form an arc along the Chinese mainland. The land area accounts for about 0.6% of the total area of ??Japan. It is located in 47 prefectures. The county ranks 44th.

Okinawa Prefecture is rich in a unique natural environment. In addition to its folk custom architecture from Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, it also has a unique American style compared to mainland Japan. It is known as "Japan's Hawaii" and is the best place for karate. home. The climate is warm and pleasant, and it is a subtropical maritime climate area. The economy is most developed in the tourism industry. Because it is located on the continental shelf of the Pacific Ocean, the nearby waters are rich in fish. Fishing is an industry that many Okinawans are engaged in.

Due to its convenient waterways, it is a trade hub for neighboring countries. At the end of the 19th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom began to be invaded by the Satsuma Domain of Kagoshima, and was gradually annexed [2]. After the Meiji Restoration in 1879, the Ryukyu Kingdom was incorporated into Japan, and Okinawa Prefecture was established in the same year.

On June 21, 1945, the 82-day Battle of Okinawa ended. 107,000 Japanese troops were killed, 12,000 U.S. troops were killed, and nearly 100,000 Okinawa civilians were killed, accounting for a quarter of the total local population at the time. Most of the Okinawan civilians who were killed were massacred or forced to commit suicide by the Japanese army. [3] It was occupied by the United States after World War II. In 1972, the United States returned administrative rights to the Ryukyu Islands to Japan.

Scenic spots

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle: a world cultural heritage, is the palace acropolis of the famous Ryukyu Kingdom. It was destroyed by the US military during World War II and rebuilt in 1992 according to the original regulations. The structure of Shuri Castle is complex and can be roughly divided into two parts: the outer shell and the inner shell. There are four city gates on the outer wall: Huanhui Gate, Jishi Gate, Jiuqing Gate, and Limen Gate; on the inner wall, there are Ruiquan Gate, Leukeng Gate, Guangfu Gate, Zuoye Gate, Youyemen, Shushun Gate, and Meifu Gate. Gate, Silver Gate and many other city gates. The structure of Shuri Castle is very similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul. There are also historical sites such as Royal Garden Yongdam, Royal Temple Wongyaksa Temple, Guxue Confucius Temple, and Benzai Paradise in the surrounding area.

Shoreimon

Shoreimon: The tower gate outside Shuri Castle Wall. The prototype is based on the three archways in China, with a Chinese character plaque and ball hanging on it that reads "A Land of Observance of Ceremony", which is very Tang-style. The city gate was restored in 1958. Shureimon is also a symbol of Okinawa.

Ishigaki Island

Ishigaki Island: The main island of the Yaeyama Islands, it is one of the most popular places in Okinawa. Every summer, there are more than 10 schools of fish on the seabed of Ishigaki Island. They shuttle in groups in the clear water, which is quite spectacular.

Manzamo

Manzamo: Located in Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture, it is located on the edge of a 20-meter-high cliff, contrasting with the blue sea, which is breathtaking . "Mao" is a Ryukyu dialect and refers to the large lawn. It is said that once upon a time when Ryukyu King Shouki came here, he exclaimed, "Mao, it can seat ten thousand people." This means that the grassland here can accommodate ten thousand people.