Okinawa refers to Japan’s southernmost prefecture and an island group as well as the largest island of that group. The nation’s favourite tropical destination, with temperate weather year-round and that wonderfully laidback island mindset, Okinawa feels a long way from the mega cities of the main islands, a place of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, lush and varied landscapes and kaleidoscopic coral reefs teeming with life.
Kingdoms and Culture
Okinawa Island was once the heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom and only absorbed into Japan in the late 19
th century. Today, Okinawa is shaped by how Ryukyu culture has merged with aspects of traditional Japanese culture and foreign influences, giving it a unique heritage, one that is a fascinatingly different vibe to the rest of the country. In the regional capital, Naha, you’ll find plenty of history to explore, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Shuri-jo, the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Tamaudun, a grand royal mausoleum, and Shikinaen Garden, a delightful place to wander. Music, crafts and festivals also preserve the rich culture – you’ll easily find them if you explore Naha.
Okinawa’s cuisine is also distinctive, influenced by Chinese, Southeast Asian and Japanese cooking. Known for being nutritious, flavourful and balanced, common ingredients include tofu, seaweed, fish, pork, fresh vegetables and bitter melon, with sweet potatoes being the staple instead of rice, as in the rest of the country.
Glorious Nature
Home to Japan’s most beautiful beaches, the perfect blend of pure white sands and shimmering blue waters, there is also a whole other world under the waves just off Okinawa’s shores. The reefs here offer some of the world’s best diving, home to vibrant coral reefs (with over 200 species of coral), sea turtles, manta rays and much more. On land lush forests and mangroves shelter a wealth of wonderful wildlife, including some endemic species like the Okinawa rail, a flightless bird. These forests have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of their ecological importance – there are plenty of options for outdoor adventures that explore them.
The island’s natural environment has always been a central feature of the islanders’ lives, with traditional customs revolving around nature and the cycles of the season – as you explore nature, you may stumble across sacred natural spaces and water springs which are still used for prayer and ceremonies today.
Blue Zone
One of the world’s five Blue Zones, Okinawa has a high concentration of people who live to be 100 years old or more – one of the highest in the world, in fact. Scientists have long been studying the lifestyles and habits here to try and understand the factors that have led to these long and healthy lives.
Okinawan food plays a huge factor in longevity, with traditional meals that are full of vegetables, legumes and low-calorie but nutrient-dense foods. Locals eat a lot of sweet potatoes, tofu, seaweed and fish and drink green tea. Like much of Japan, their diet is also seasonal, making the most of what is fresh and ripe throughout the year. Social connection is also an important feature of life here, with strong family ties and community support, alongside natural physical activity and a positive outlook. Head here to pick up these longevity habits for yourself!
