Far out in the blue seas of southwest Japan lie a chain of verdant islands. Among them, Okinawa stands out with a culture refreshingly unique next to mainland Japan’s. Once a busy “maritime crossroads” connecting China, Southeast Asia, and Japan via culture and trade, Okinawa welcomed many influences and established a unique culture of its own. Sacred sites called utaki and uganjō can still be found throughout the islands, where people prayed for good harvests and honored their ancestors. Izenajima: a small island surrounded by a shimmering emerald sea, and one of the best places to feel this original Okinawan spirit. It takes about one to two hours by car […]
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