Okinawa is composed with dozen of islands, situated at the southernmost of Japan. Many Japanese people visit these islands every year. Unlike the rest of Japan, it has tropical climate so stay warm all year long. In this article, I will tell 7 reasons why Japanese people love to visit Okinawa. I hope you will enjoy Okinawa like Japanese people after reading this.
Beautiful beaches:
Okinawa is a famous place for beautiful beaches and sea. Because Okinawa is composed of islands, there are many beautiful beaches there. Although Japan is not famous for its beaches, Okinawa is an exception. Kondoi beach in Taketomi Island, for example, has white sand and transparent beautiful water. It is the best summer destination for Japanese people.Distinctive local culture:
Japanese people think of Okinawa, like it is a different country. It’s because it has a distinct culture, language and architectural style. They speak Ryukyu dialect, which is very different from the standard Japanese. Since it used to do a lot of commerce with South East Asian countries, the buildings and food are influenced by them. It is like visiting an exotic country for Japanese people to visit Okinawa.Delicious Okinawan food:
As I said earlier, Okinawa has different culture than the rest of Japan, including its food. In fact, Okinawan food has been popular in the big capitals, like Tokyo. Many people now are familiar its exotic food. Therefore Japanese people come to Okinawa to enjoy the local food. Okinawa soba looks like ramen but has thick wheat noodles. Goya Chanpuru is also a famous Okinawan stir fry with Goya (bitter melon), egg, tofu and pork.Rare fishes in Aquarium:
Surrounded by sea, you can see many rare fishes in Okinawa. In Churaumi Aquarium, you can see the deep ocean of Okinawa: beautiful living coral and impressing tiger sharks. Japanese people enjoy watching the beautiful creatures of Okinawa in the deep sea.History of Okinawa:
As I told you in introduction, Okinawa has been a separate state for a long period of time. Therefore it has its own history. Shuri castle is the most visited place in Okinawa. It is where the kings of Ryukyu resided. Although original castle is destroyed during the World War II, it was reconstructed precisely from the original pictures and descriptions. Japanese people are amazed by the typical architecture of this castle.Small islands:
Since Okinawa is made of many small islands, many Japanese enjoy taking trips to those islands during their stay. Some islands, such as Ishigaki or Miyako Island, are so beautiful that it would be a great idea to stay there for few days.Visit in winter:
Since Okinawa is a very popular summer vacation destination, it tend to be crowded and expensive. Some Japanese people, therefore, choose to visit here during winter when it is less crowded. Although you won’t be able to swim in the sea, the temperature of Okinawa is around 15 °C in winter. You can visit many famous spots quietly while enjoying the warm weather.