Kadena AFB
The Ryukyu Islands were one of the crucial places of battle during the Pacific War. After the end of the battle of okinawa, the islands were called the keystone of the Pacific because of their strategic position under the U.S. government.
However, even after the reversion, large military bases still remain in the Ryukyu Islands. [...]

Typical of a wealthy farmer’s home from the Ryukyu Kingdom Era of the 1700’s, the residence of the Nakamura Family is located in Ogido, Kitanakagusuku Village, near Nakagusuku Castle. On its red-tiled roof, a trait of construction unique to okinawa, sits a fierce-looking ceramic shisa (lion-dog), another particular structural convention whose role is to guard [...]

On the Sunabe shore in Chatan Town, stands a memorial where the U.S. forces first landed on the main island of okinawa in the battle of okinawa. About 1.2 meters high and 2.4 meters wide, the monument has on it scenes depicting the fighting and the sacrifices of soldiers and Okinawan citizens. It was erected [...]

The okinawa Convention Center was built in 1987 by the prefecture, in the hope of making okinawa a center of conventions. It was funded largely by the Japanese Central Government as a reversion commemorative project. The center, designed by a famous architect, Mr. Sachio Otani, is comprised of three main buildings representing the emerging Sky, [...]

Locally called Futenma Gongen, this shrine is located in the central part of Futenma, Ginowan City. It is one of eight shrines built about five centuries ago by order of King Sho Kinpuku.
Every year countless people pay visits to the shrine to pray for a variety of reasons. They may pray for the safety of [...]

Urasoe City, once the center of okinawa’s political affairs, is today the second largest city in the prefecture. It lost its political preeminence when the Ryukyuan Kingdom was established in 1429.
Urasoe Castle was located on a small hill in Urasoe which was occupied by the Eiso family from 1187 to 1392. The tombs constructed by [...]