Okinawa
- Tropical natural paradise with an exciting historical and cultural background
- Island chain with over 160 islands
- The whitest sandy beach in East Asia
- One of the most biodiverse coral reefs in the world
- Three hours flight south-west of Tokyo
- Home to some of the oldest people in the world
- The birthplace of karate
Where is Okinawa actually located?
Okinawa is a chain of islands and the southernmost prefecture of Japan in the East China Sea - it lies between Taiwan and the main island of Japan.Okinawa consists of 160 islands, of which only 47 are inhabited. A total of around 1.4 million people live on Okinawa, including around 100 Germans. However, 90% of the inhabitants live on the main island of Okinawa with the capital and Naha airport.
You can fly from Tokyo to Naha in three hours - so Okinawa is also perfect as a beach extension after a round trip. There are no direct flights to Okinawa from Germany yet, but you can easily reach Okinawa around 60 times a day via the major Japanese airports, such as Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka. Alternatively, you can also fly to Okinawa via Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, China or South Korea. Within Japan, many airlines offer domestic flights to the three main airports in Okinawa: Naha, Ishigaki and Miyako. Due to the Corona outbreak, some flights have been canceled. For more information, please visit the website of the respective airline.
The following link will provide you with initial information on flight connections to Okinawa: www.visitokinawa.jp/transportation/international-flights
The main island of Okinawa, the Kerama archipelago, which is only 50 minutes away, and the paradisiacal Yaeyama and Miyako archipelagos are particularly recommended for tourists. The main island of Okinawa is particularly suitable for those interested in culture and history. There are castles, royal gardens and archaeological sites to visit, as well as pottery and cooking classes and karate workshops. There is something for everyone
The surrounding islands are absolute beach and nature paradises, as they are mostly covered with jungle and mangrove forests, which has allowed an extraordinary animal world to develop and spread. Whether it's a day on the whitest beach in East Asia, a kayak tour through mangrove forests or jungle hikes with incredible views and the opportunity to observe many animals, there are plenty of activities and excursions on land and water in Okinawa.
Each island group has its own special features and seduces with its incomparable charm. From the main island, for example, you can take a ferry to the Kerama Islands in just 50 minutes or hop on a small plane for an hour to Ishigaki in the southwest. In general, there is a wide range of ferry and flight connections between the islands of Okinawa.
"Blue Zone" Okinawa - the secret of longevity
Okinawa is home to the oldest people in the world. Okinawa is one of 5 so-called "blue zones" - areas where people live exceptionally long lives. The traditional healthy eating habits, the mentality of the people and their way of life on Okinawa are considered to be factors for a long life. There is a subtropical maritime climate and the temperature differences throughout the year are small. It is pleasantly warm all year round, which makes all activities easy for the people. Surrounded by the beautiful sea and rich nature, Okinawa is an extremely blessed place to live
Get to the bottom of the secret of Okinawa's longevity yourself and head to the small village of Ogimi. Nowhere do people grow as old as in the small 3200-inhabitant village of Ogimi, the village of centenarians. The inhabitants of the village stick together, even at the age of 95 they still go to gym class together or meet up to sing karaoke.
Origin of karate
Traditions are cultivated on Okinawa - especially the martial art of karate, which originated here, plays a major role. Okinawa once had flourishing trade relations with Asian countries, especially with China due to its advantageous geographical location. Against this historical backdrop, the self-defense art of Kenpo was introduced from China and incorporated into Okinawa's traditional martial arts - from which karate emerged and spread throughout Japan. Today, it is practiced by 130 million people from 180 countries and has even become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. Karate is gaining attention as a new Olympic discipline and will debut as such at the 2021 Olympic Games.
Why not visit a karate school in Okinawa, learn your first steps from the masters or continue your education in the well-known and popular martial art - maybe you'll make it to the next Olympic Games yourself?
