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Okinawa – Island Destination for Leisure Activities

Starting at the southern end of Japan's main islands, Okinawa Prefecture is made up hundreds of subtropical islands trailing for more than a thousand kilometers all the way to Taiwan. Of the islands, the largest is Okinawa Island, often referred to as the hondo or mainland, where the prefectural capital of Naha is located. Although there are many similarities to the rest of Japan, Okinawa has a separate culture and as many as 11 languages distantly related to Japanese.

Among the many attractions of Okinawa are its leisure activities. The balmy weather, copious number of beaches and slow pace of island life make Okinawa a favorite destination for those seeking marine sports, river canoeing, whale watching and even karate, which was born in Okinawa.

Next Okinawa (English)

Okinawa Loved by the World's Divers for its Beauty

Diving

Created by coral reefs, Okinawa is also referred to as an uruma (meaning "an island of coral") in the local dialect. Divers come from all over the world to see the beautiful ocean here with its large variety of fish. The nearby Kerama Islands are blessed with a number of beautiful coral reef diving spots. Among the Yaeyama Islands is Ishigaki Island, home to the "Kabira Ishizaki Manta Scramble," where the highest percentage of manta ray encounters occur in Japan. Also among the Yaeyama Islands is Yonaguni Island with a diving point at the mysterious "Yonaguni Monument," an underwater formation that has been extensively investigated by researchers to determine whether it is manmade or natural. Miyako Island is a popular destination for its Mao-no-kyuden ("Devil's Palace"), a diving point named after underwater caves of assorted sizes that resemble a palace. In addition to these famous diving points, there are many other great diving spots in the Okinawan Islands.

After you are done diving on the mainland, use the transportation, conveniently provided near the diving spots, to enjoy land-based fun. One such place is Sunabe Beach, famous not only for its diving but for its excellent view of the sun as it sinks into the East China Sea. Located near Mihama American Village, an urban-style resort facility in the central part of the mainland, Sunabe Beach is a popular attraction in the evening. Even if you are a beginner, don't worry! The local diving shops are ready with plenty of advice for novices and pros, and are fully equipped with everything you need.

Surrounded by Fish and Coral, Become One with the Ocean

Snorkeling

Don't have a scuba diving license but still want to enjoy the underwater beauty of the Okinawan ocean? If so, snorkeling is perfect for you. Requiring only a snorkel, goggles and fins, snorkeling is easy to get started with and a great alternative for divers who don't want to carry around heavy diving equipment while traveling abroad. Whether you jump in from a boat or wade in from shore, snorkeling lets you enjoy the ocean from different angles. See pure white coral sand and brightly colored tropical fish darting around coral reefs, and visit popular snorkeling locations, such as Cape Maeda with its Blue Cave that emanates a mystic blue light.

Although snorkeling is a simple activity, it is recommended that you visit one of the local diving shops to get the best out of it. The diving shops will provide safety pointers and send you in the right direction to find the best local snorkeling locations. Particularly of interest to beginners, diving shops provide a full range of services to get started, including pick-up and drop-off services and lectures on safe snorkeling (don't forget a life jacket!), helping you safely enjoy the beautiful Okinawan ocean. Swimming with fish in the beautiful ocean will surely be one of the most memorable moments of your trip.

Wonderful Scenery Experienced Only in a Sea Kayak

Sea Kayaking

One of the features of sea kayaks is a foot-operated rudder that enhances the performance on the sea. Many kayaks used in the tour are two-seaters. Once you establish a paddling rhythm, you will scud over the sea like a vigorous wind. Sea kayaks make it possible to go to places and shallow sea areas not possible by cruiser or motor boat. The ability to adventure off the beaten path is the biggest attraction of sea kayaking. A tour will take you to breathtaking views with wonderful encounters that you can't experience otherwise. The tour program includes overnight camping on a deserted island. Chatting under the star-filled night sky is a romantic pleasure.

Even if you are unfamiliar with sea kayaking, don't worry. Before you start on a tour, your local shops will provide a sea kayaking lesson, and all participants are required to wear a life jacket. Some shops on the Okinawa mainland and other islands offer tours in English, making for an even more pleasant experience.

Travel a Mangrove River Like an Explorer

Canoeing

Okinawa Island has many rivers overgrown with mangroves much like a tropical jungle. Mangroves grow in brackish waters, and travel by canoe is possible only at low tide. Join a tour to see the many interesting water creatures that inhabit the mangrove forests. A fun option is to try a night tour, when you are likely to see a different variety of creatures scurrying about.

The tour travels along slow-moving rivers, and is suitable even for children. Safety is top priority on the tours, and participants must wear a life jacket. Before the tour begins, an orientation is held to put first-time mangrove explorers at ease. Sit back and enjoy the slow flow of the rivers along the jungle-like course. This trip will surely be among your best memories of Okinawa.

Learn Karate at Its Birthplace

Karate

Admired by people around the world as a martial art, self-defense skill, fighting sport, and pure sport, karate originated in Okinawa. It is said to have developed from a combination of Okinawa's indigenous martial art of te and the Chinese art of kenpo. Literally meaning "empty (kara) handed (te)," karate is an art for protecting oneself using the hands and legs without a weapon.

If you are interested in trying karate, visit Taiken Okoku Murasaki Mura (Hands-on Experience Kingdom Murasaki Village) in Yomitan Village. There you will find the Okinawa Dento Karatedo Kobudo Kokusai Kenshu Center (Okinawa Traditional Karate Ancient Martial Arts International Training Center), which provides authentic karate lectures by professional karate instructors that are very popular among foreign tourists.

If you are really into karate, visit the Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau, which supports karate lovers in other countries who are interested in coming to Okinawa to learn karate but know nothing about Okinawa or its karate dojos. To learn more, visit their website (http://okkb.org/), which is in five languages: English, French, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. For questions or inquiries about dojos and accommodations, their website has a contact form. They also arrange training sessions and interpreters to help people learn karate stress-free even if you have never been to Okinawa.

Be Part of the Scene of the Magnificent Ocean

Whale-watching

The Kerama Islands, located offshore of the mainland, are famous as a breeding site for humpback whales, attracting many people who enjoy whale-watching from January to March every year. During the breeding season, whale activity is monitored from a lookout located on a hill on the island, and when a whale is sighted, the tour boats are notified by radio. Lucky visitors will get to see a whale soon after arriving at the island. After arriving at the site, turn off your boat engine and wait quietly. You may see a whale blowing water only a few meters away.

The most exciting behavior of whales is a unique jump called "breaching." Witnessing a humpback whale weighing as much as 30 tons leaping out of the water and then slamming its huge body back down onto the sea surface is a thrill of a lifetime that instills a sense of awe for the grandeur and power of the natural world. Located within a day-trip distance from Naha by high-speed boat, the Kerama Islands are a convenient choice for people who want to enjoy the nightlife in Naha after a day of whale-watching.