Okinawa Main Island

About Okinawa Main Island
Okinawa Main Island the largest and most developed of the Okinawa Islands. The islands lie hundreds of kilometres south of the rest of Japan and are warm, sunny and inviting all year round. In the old days, the islands were an independent kingdom known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. Subsequently, they have been under Chinese, American and finally Japanese rule. However, the changing national affiliation has not had a major impact on the population here. They are and always have been their own, with a very unique and very rich culture.

Unique cultural heritage and one of the world's largest aquariums
Okinawa Island has a completely different atmosphere than the rest of the country. In the northern part are beautiful natural areas. In Shuri, a district in the capital city of Naha, you will find the impressive Shuri castle and other historical memories from back when Okinawa was an independent kingdom. Another absolute highlight is the Churaumi Aquarium. It is one of the world's largest aquariums, and here you can see the world's largest fish, the whale shark, which can weigh up to 19 tonnes! Along the west coast of the island, there are major beach resorts in areas that sometimes resemble Florida or the American West Coast. A resort can be very isolated, so there is not a boardwalk with local shops and restaurants as you might know it from Southeast Asian countries. The fine white sandy beaches of the main island are absolutely stunning, which is why many Japanese couples choose to hold their wedding ceremony right here. The water is clear and beautiful, but if you want to snorkel among corals, the area is very limited. The beach culture on the main island is very restrictive and you can only swim in fenced areas. It should also be noted that tattoos can be a problem. Even at international resorts, you may be asked to leave the beach if Japanese guests are bothered.

Other attractions on Okinawa Main Island
Other important sights include Ryukyu Village, an authentically built village where you see the unique culture of the islands - including karate - brought to life. The Manzamo Rock, which resembles an elephant beak and is located on dramatic waters, is also worth a visit. Finally, of course, there are plenty of wonderful beaches.