Introducing Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Welcome to the other Japan, where pebble gardens and cherry blossoms give way to white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees. Despite centuries of mainland exploitation and horrific destruction during the closing months of WWII, Japan is in the midst of an Okinawa boom. Today, Japanese mainlanders, both young and old, are flocking to the islands in droves. And it’s not difficult to see why – with a year-round balmy climate and plenty of sunshine, Okinawa and the Southwest Islands, or the Nansei-shotō, are the perfect destination for beachcombers, hikers and marine sports–lovers alike.
While package tourism is evident, independent travellers can easily search out unspoilt beauty and relative seclusion. Coastlines are dotted with beaches that run the spectrum from powder-white sand to hoshi-suna or ‘star sand’, which consists of the skeletal remains of tiny animals. Island interiors range from subtropical rainforest to mangrove jungles, while the underwater world teems with colourful fish and vibrant coral reefs. Okinawa and the Southwest Islands were also the centre of the Ryūkyū kingdom, and there are still traces of this rich cultural heritage in the region’s architecture, language, music and cuisine.
Okinawa and the Southwest Islands comprise a string of subtropical islands that stretch for more than 1000km from the southern tip of Kyūshū to about 110km from Taiwan. Although the Nansei-shotō is one of the top domestic tourist destinations for Japanese, few foreigners explore this part of the country. It’s unfortunate, as the region is brimming with sights, and a glimpse of tropical Japan is a wonderful complement to time spent exploring the mainland.
Activities in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Okinawa Prefecture
The southern half of the Nansei-shotō is Okinawa-ken, which is the furthest south of Japan’s prefectures.
Okinawa-hontō
Okinawa-hontō is the largest island in the Nansei-shotō, and the historic seat of power of the Ryūkyū dynasty.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands destination guides
Naha
Although it was completely flattened during WWII, the prefectural capital of Naha was rapidly rebuilt and is presently in the midst of a population explosion.
Hotels in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Apartments in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Yaeyama Islands
At the far southwestern end of the Nansei-shotō are the islands of the Yaeyama group, which include the two main islands of Ishigaki-jima and Iriomote-jima as well as a scattering of 17 isles between and beyond.
Need to know
Entertainment in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Ishigaki-jima
Located 110km southwest of Miyako-jima, Ishigaki-jima serves as the major transport hub for the Yaeyama-shotō, and is the most populated and developed island in the group.
Shopping in Okinawa & the Southwest Islands