Surrounded by pristine white sands and sparkling, diamond-encrusted turquoise seas, the southernmost Japanese prefecture of Okinawa is as far removed from the traditional Japanese culture as its distance from the mother country (over 500 kilometres south).
Although you won’t find any high-rises here, Okinawa is often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of Japan’. But it’s the slower island pace and sub-tropical climate, along with more to keep you occupied even away from the beaches, that make it the ideal holiday destination.
Forget the typical Japanese geishas, Shinto shrines and torii gates. While you can discover Okinawa’s history, it’s sparse compared to the vast white beaches, spectacular reef diving, lush jungles, waterfalls, hidden rivers and mangroves or traditional markets and duty-free department store shopping on offer.
Even the unique, delicious Asian influenced cuisines are different. So are the stunning sunsets and star-studded evening skies. You can see 84 constellations from Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (an international Dark Sky Park) on Yaeyama Island.