hkskyline's 2025/6 in NAHA, Japan

[hkskyline]

Unlike the rest of Japan that I've visited in the past, large crowds and city life don't associate with Okinawa. Instead, this is a tropical paradise where visitors come to enjoy nature and have a great time.

The Ryukyu Kingdom became part of Japan in 1879, with Naha becoming the capital. The Japanese have long visited here for its resorts and diving. It has a love-hate relationship with the Americans, who have military presence here but not always welcomed. International tourists haven't really found out about these islands yet.

Naha is the main port of entry to Okinawa's many islands, but usually is not the final destination. But I did spend a little time exploring the urban landscape here.







































































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/okinawa.htm
My 2012 Naha photo thread (it's been a while since my last visit!) : https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202566

[ColDayMan]

Naha is a new one on this forum. Thanks!

[hkskyline]

Okinawa is surrounded by ocean and there is plenty of fish to eat. The average daily catch ranges from 20-50 tons, with 70% of it being tuna. Home to 24 wholesalers, there are many stalls that offer fresh sashimi and sushi boxes, but you need to be patient to find a place to enjoy the food. They have only a limited number of tables at the market's edges, which are not enough to handle the big crowds.































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/okinawa.htm

[mrnyc]

nice to see — looks very typical japanese, but with a more tropical twist.

as a visitor i would be think it might be annoying its too much of a military town, does it have that kind of overwhelming vibe? or maybe all that stuff is off to the side, like honolulu??

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by mrnyc

nice to see — looks very typical japanese, but with a more tropical twist.

as a visitor i would be think it might be annoying its too much of a military town, does it have that kind of overwhelming vibe? or maybe all that stuff is off to the side, like honolulu??

There is a part of Naha that is dubbed "America town" but it's in the outskirts closer to the military bases. In the city centre itself, I haven't seen any uniformed people at all and it looked like a typical Japanese city - homogeneously Asian.

[hkskyline]

Off to the east of International Street is a quiet side street that is famous for pottery. Tsuboya Yachimun Street's pottery history goes back to the 17th century when Shurijo Castle burned down in 1660.

To restore the castle, large amounts of roof tiles were needed and the government designated this area for the pottery industry to help with the reconstruction. It was close enough to the castle site, port, and the area also had clay deposits.

This area luckily escaped World War II destruction, and now has many shops selling unique works that are a feast to the senses, although many shops do not allow photos inside.

































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/okinawa.htm

[hkskyline]

The concept of developing mass transit dates back to the early 1970s, with the monorail being considered the appropriate solution.

Yui Rail opened in August 2003 connecting Naha's airport with Shuri, and further extended in 2019. The monorail's name comes from the phrase "yui maaru", which means mutual support in the local dialect.






 





 





 





 





 




More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/okinawa.htm

[ColDayMan]

That monorail is ADORABLE!!!

[plinko]

Indeed. Totally dig the monorail. I've never given Okinawa much thought. Interesting looking place.

[hkskyline]

This tunnel complex was dug in 1944 for the navy headquarters in a hill overlooking the airport and the sea. It was 20m deep and stretched 450m in a semi-circular shape that could accommodate 4000 soldiers.

Conditions were dire with little water and food, high humidity during the rainy season, and plenty of fleas and lice. The Battle of Okinawa was very bloody with over 200,000 dead. Many Japanese troops and civilians decided to kill themselves rather than be captured by the Americans.

The tourism board opened the site in 1970, which is now a museum about its history.

























More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/okinawa.htm