OKINAWA
I visited Okinawa during the New Year's holidays. It was my sixth or seventh time to visit Okinawa. I have no other places to visit so many times, and this time my husband and I wanted to take my son's family to Okinawa. They also got charmed with it and want to visit it again.
Why does Okinawa charm us so much?
Why does Okinawa charm us so much?
It is a special place for us in Japan, I think.
First, its nature. It's warm all the year round, and full of flowers even in winter. We enjoyed warm, soft breeze on the beach in January. It's like a paradise for us from freezing Nagano. The sea and the sky are so clear and blue. Look at the picture. My grandchidren were so happy on the beautiful beach. If you dive, you can see colorful fish among corals. Small islands are more beautiful.
First, its nature. It's warm all the year round, and full of flowers even in winter. We enjoyed warm, soft breeze on the beach in January. It's like a paradise for us from freezing Nagano. The sea and the sky are so clear and blue. Look at the picture. My grandchidren were so happy on the beautiful beach. If you dive, you can see colorful fish among corals. Small islands are more beautiful.
Second, its culture. For a long time, Okinawa was an independent kingdom, which prospered with trading. As you see it on a map, Okinawa is in the far south of Kyusyu 
and near to China. And so, its culture is very different from ours. Its music, dancing, art, fabrics, food, and pottery are somewhat exotic
for us. Their traditional religion and way of living are also interesting. The remains of old castles in Okinawa are on the World Heritage Sites List. They are quite different from those in Japan. Whenever we visit Okinawa, we have meals at local restaurants where we can enjoy the food and music of Okinawa.
The red building on the picture is the rebuilt castle, Syuri-jo. It was completely destroyed during the war.
and near to China. And so, its culture is very different from ours. Its music, dancing, art, fabrics, food, and pottery are somewhat exotic
for us. Their traditional religion and way of living are also interesting. The remains of old castles in Okinawa are on the World Heritage Sites List. They are quite different from those in Japan. Whenever we visit Okinawa, we have meals at local restaurants where we can enjoy the food and music of Okinawa.The red building on the picture is the rebuilt castle, Syuri-jo. It was completely destroyed during the war.
Third, its history. During the World War II, Okinawa became an awful battle field. The people including citizens and high school students were told to fight with the huge troops of the US army not to let them attack the main land of Japan. Great many citizens were killed or had to bomb or kill themselves. Japan used Okinawa as a sacrifice.
The tragedy of Okinawa continued. After the war, Okinawa was occupied by the US army. For thirty years it was a colony of the United States. We needed passports to go to 
Okinawa, The United States used Okinawa as army bases in Asia, and so, a lot of people lost their farms and houses. In 1975 Okinawa was given back to Japan, but even now there are huge US army bases there.
Okinawa, The United States used Okinawa as army bases in Asia, and so, a lot of people lost their farms and houses. In 1975 Okinawa was given back to Japan, but even now there are huge US army bases there. Did you hear the news about the school history textbooks or a runway for combat planes which will be built in a coral sea? The beautiful islands and its people are still suffering, I think. Japan offered Okinawa as a scape goat.
I feel so guilty about these facts. If I were an Okinawan, I might feel so much pain and anger.
Even though, Okinawa is wonderful, and worthy to visit. If you can, please visit it, watch it, feel it.
