Must-see places in Okinawa: Dec. 28-31, 2016

I stayed in Okinawa to enjoy my year-end holidays. There are several must-see places in the main island of Okinawa. I visited some of them. 

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is one of the leading aquariums in the world. The largest tank is 7500 cubic-meter large (or 35m x 27m x 10m). Two whale sharks of 8 meters and 7 meters, respectively, live there with many other kinds of fish. (See also the top photo)

It attracts many tourists. I found many Chinese, Korean and other Asian families.

They have other 76 tanks. 

Kids were enjoying touching asteroids and watching huge lobsters. (See also the photo 2nd from the top)

Jerry fish were swimming slowly. 

They also offered dolphin shows. I felt people really enjoying.

The Shurijo Castle, in the eastern outskirt of Naha, was the capital of Okinawa’s medieval dynasty. The dynasty was established in the 15^th century, became under control of Japan’s Shimazu region (Kagoshima Prefecture now) in 1609 and was completely merged into Japan in 1879. (See also the 3rd photo from the top).

The castle was completely destroyed by the U.S. force in the second world war. Main buildings were rebuilt by the 1990s. The castle registered as a world heritage site in 2000.

Okinawa has been an intersection of trades, people’s moves and communications of the cultures. The displays in the castle show various examples of the facts.

I also visited the Nakagusuku Castle in the east coast of the island. It is one of the historic castles of the medieval dynasty era. The group of castles were registered as the sites of the World Heritage in 2000. The Pacific Ocean lies behind the castle.

Sefa Utaki in the southeast coast of the island is one of the holy places of the region. The goddess came down here and created Okinawa, according to the legend. 

A female was chosen as a communicator with the gods and goddesses in the old days. They communicated with the gods in holy places including Sefa Utaki. It is also registered as a world heritage site.

A small sacred “kudaka” island is seen from the place.

There are many small islands around the main island. One of them is Kori Island. 

Their lives have changed after a bridges was completed. Now, there are many tourists to Kori Island.

The scene from the observatory tower was wonderful.

So were the displays in the shell museum.