It is a tropical place with beautiful coral reefs and a collection of resort hotels ranging from budget to luxury.

Naha, the largest city in Okinawa, is home to shopping streets and bars.

In addition to the main island of Okinawa, there are airports on both Miyako and Ishigaki islands, and many other remote islands.

The Kerama Islands, consisting of 20 islands of various sizes, are easily accessible by ferry from the main island of Okinawa, and the beauty of the sea attracts divers from all over the world.

Okinawa was called the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879, and as a result, this place boasts unique cultural features: sanctuaries called Utaki and shamans called Yuta.

Shuri Castle, where the king and his family lived, and Sefa-Utaki, the holiest site in Ryukyu mythology, are registered as World Heritage sites.

Kudaka Island is the sacred place where Amamikiyo, the god who created the Ryukyu Islands, is said to have landed.
It is a good destination to learn more about Okinawa, as many sacred places still remain and maintain their own unique culture.

Okinawa has many repeat visitors who are attracted to its spiritual culture and relaxing island time.

Okinawa was also the site of a fierce battle during World War II, in which more than 200,000 people died, and the tragic history of the war is still preserved in places such as the Peace Memorial Park.

If you like

Shopping:

Yomitan Village is known as the home of pottery and there are many kilns. There are also pottery stores along Tsuboya Yachimun Street in Naha.

Outdoor activities:

On the beautiful beaches, you can enjoy all kinds of marine sports such as scuba diving, sea kayaking, and fishing. Kayaking is also popular in the forest.

Traditional townscape:

The island of Taketomi is particularly beautiful, with many houses of traditional architecture unique to Okinawa remaining.

Gourmet food:

Okinawan specialties such as Okinawa soba noodles, chanpuru (a stir-fry dish containing vegetables (especially bitter melon), tofu, meat or fish), and rafute (Okinawan-style stewed pork broth) are popular, as well as steaks, burgers, and tacos and rice inspired by American food culture. Another drink that is unique to Okinawa is Awamori, a strong Okinawan liquor made from rice or millet.

Nightlife:

There is a live music club in Naha where you can enjoy Okinawa’s unique folk songs.

The post Okinawa- Travel guide appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

I would answer the following.

There are about 6,800 islands that make up Japan, and about 75% of the country is covered in mountains.
Many of the few natural plains became cities. For example, Tokyo is built upon the Kanto Plain, the largest plain in Japan.
In short, Japan is a country full of big cities, oceans, and mountains.

Where do you want to go first?
If you want to experience a little bit of everything, I would recommend you Tokyo.
As you know, Tokyo is the biggest city in Japan. You can enjoy gourmet food from all over the country and the world, museums, shopping malls, and historical sites from the Edo period.

Also, even Tokyo features some mountains.

Mt.Takao, Mt. Mitake is a very famous day-trip destination.
There are also many mountains in the neighboring prefecture of Kanagawa, which is similar to Tokyo because it is in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and so it’s suitable for a day-trip.

Okutama, Tokyo

Kamakura town has a lot of small mountains perfect for a novice hiker.
Mount Oyama in Kanagawa has been regarded as a holy mountain since the middle ages. You can enjoy not only hiking but also visiting the historical shrine and getting a great view of Mt. Fuji.
Tokyo also has many beaches. The most convenient beach is man-made ODAIBA BEACH. You can get there in just 20min by train from central Tokyo.

Odaiba Beach

If you are looking for a natural beach experience, I would recommend the Izu Seven Islands. These islands are accessible by ferry from the pier in central Tokyo as well.

Do you prefer mountains? If so, I’d recommend you, Nagano prefecture.
It is referred to as the Roof of Japan, and there are hundreds of mountain trails scattered throughout the countryside. We call these mountains the Japanese Alps.

Nagano prefecture is not so far from Tokyo. You can get there in just 2-3 hours by train from Tokyo. There are also many charter buses that run between Nagano and Tokyo.
In winter, people enjoy skiing and relaxing in hot springs while surrounded by snow.
In Nagano, wild monkeys also enjoy bathing in the hot springs!

Do you like the beach? If so, Okinawa is the best place for you.
It is the southernmost prefecture in Japan. It is a completely tropical island, with an average daytime temperature of 21 degrees Celsius even in December.
It features breath-takingly stunning islands and beaches. You can enjoy exploring beautiful coral reefs and seeing tropical fish up close and personal by snorkeling or scuba diving.

Zamami Island, Okinawa

Are you interested in culture and history, not topography?
If so, have no fear!

As a result of the division of cultural spheres caused by natural borders such as mountains and the sea, Japan has a surprisingly wide variety of dialects, cultures, and local food.
Until the Edo period (1603-1868), Japan was a collection of as many as 300 “clans”, each of them being similar to small, independent countries.

Sakata, Yamagata

After the Meiji Restoration, Japan was officially unified as a single country, but that was a mere 150 years ago.
Therefore, if you travel around Japan, you’ll be surprised to discover the culture and remnants of the “clan” era still exist and are present in daily life.
Each and every area in Japan has a long history and features its own unique culture.

The post 3 Themes to Think About When You Travel in Japan appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.