...Japan. Specifically, the Okinawa prefecture. Also known as Okinawa Island. Okinawa is a part of the Ryukyu Islands chain. The island sits about 400 miles south of mainland Japan and 400 miles east of China (Source). Using the image below you can orient yourself to where the island is in the world.
The image below will give you a closer look at Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands and their larger towns and cities. The capitol of Okinawa prefecture is Naha.
I lived on Okinawa twice. Once from 1992-1993. The next time was 2008-2011. From 92-93 I lived near a small town called Henoko. Henoko is not listed on this map. Henoko would be on the east side of the island about halfway between Uruma and Nago and located on the coast. From 08-11 lived next to the city of Ginowan, just north of Naha.
One of the many beauties of Okinawa Japan is their public parks and recreation areas. These areas are very large and contain long wwalking trails with gold fish ponds and lakes. Sometimes you can take a paddle boat onto the ponds and lakes and feed the fish, as well as ducks from the boats and shore.
They usually always have indoor recreation centers located within these parks. Within these large rec centers people gather to play soccer, volleyball, basketball, and they even facilities for indoor baseball practice.
Okinawa is very steeped in culture and actually has mixture of Chinese and Japanese culture due to their location. The photo below was taken during a dance given at Shuri Castle, which was the one time seat of the King of the Ryukyu Islands.
Okinawa is susceptible to typhoons and possible tidal waves from earthquakes so they have sea walls build in the low lying areas of the towns and cities. These sea walls can be great places to take the family for an evening walk. The below pic is me and my two boys before they grew into the young men they are now.
There are many shrines and family tombs around the island. The image below is the Futenma shrine. I always felt at ease in these places and never felt creeped out like some people would. In fact, one of my favorite places used to be an old family tomb on top of a hill I used to haul up to sometimes as part of my daily runs. The hill would overlook a good part of the city and surrounding area. You could take everything in and appreciate the smallness of your problems sometimes compared to the rest of the world.
Cape Hedo is located in the northern tip of the island. The photo below is taken from there. Is is very beautiful, but very dangerous. The cliffs are steep and jagged. Of course my oldest son wanted to hike all over them. I didn't care, but mom had other ideas. We found a happy medium.
In the end, Okinawa Japan is a place we would live again. The wife and I have talked many times about how if my health permitted, we would love to move back there.
Note: Images are my own taken by me and my wife using Kodak 1012IS unless otherwise sourced in the post.
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