Okinawa Photo
What better way to start your work/schooling week than with a bunch of photos of the beach?
Many moons ago, the islands at the end of the Southern tip of Japan known as the RyuKyu Kindgom were not part of Japan. In 1609 the Japanese Satsuma clan invaded the islands presumably because they wanted a bit of the lovely emerald water. in 1879 following the Meiji restoration, Japan decided that they wanted to keep the RyuKyu kingdom for their own and from then on it became known as Okinawa prefecture.
At the end of World War II in 1945, Okinawa was under the administration of the United States - I think they wanted some of that emerald water too. During this time, the US established a few military bases to the delight of the locals. Infact, the locals were so delighted (another word for "rather miffed") that they've been complaining for years about the bases. The US eventually responded by saying that they would relocate a particular base but that Japan would have to pay for the expenses - I cant remember the amount but it was enough to buy a small moon.
Okinawa was handed back over to Japan on May 1972.
Because we didnt book way in advance (we booked two days before we decided to go), the tickets and hotel cost an arm and a leg. Do book well in advance if you decide to go. If you want cheap tickets though, you may want to risk going in Typhoon September season where ticket prices take a steep dive. You could end up staying in yer hotel or may end up swimming in this...
Woke up at 5AM, left at 6 and got to Haneda airport within an hour - before we knew it we were in Okinawa. While we were still in Japan, it felt like we were somewhere else. It kind of reminded me of Penang in Malaysia - the architecture, temperature, colors, typefaces used in signs, vegetation etc.
These few pics were taken near Manza beach - cant remember the name of this one though. Our schedule for the 3 days that we spent at Okinawa was drive > discover gorgeous beach > dive in > end up tired and sunburnt > rest > drive >discover gorgeous beach >...
This was an unmanaged beach meaning no showers or nets - some beaches such as Emerald beach have nets to keep you safe from creatures such as giant pirates-of-carribean-type octopus and smaller less harmful creatures such as jelly fish. You will encounter signs as you enter beaches of the "get stung by this fish and you will die within 60 seconds - avoid" type.
We went at the end of August and while it did rain a bit, the clouds would soon give way to blue skys and scorching sun.
Rented a Toyota Passo and while the car was dirt cheap (about 9,000 yen for three days) the car performed like a pile of steaming cack. It has to be worst car I have driven - my fart has more power than this car. Terrible and avoid.
Another beach that was asking us to jump in.
Emerald beach gets its name from the color of the water I guess as the water was truly so. Theres showers and nets here all for free. Manza beach was not free and cost something like 4,000 yen for parking and admittance.
Anti Tsunami things. What are these called?!
It was the first time I tried Shikuwasa (I have no idea what its called in English but its シークワサー in Japanese) which could be found all over Okinawa - it kind of tastes like a cross between orange and lime. I was addicted after a few sips and have been trying to get hold of it in Tokyo - cant find it anywhere so will order online.
Manza beach - nice facilities but rather pricey to use.
Went to have a look down town in Naha which is the city where the airport is. These are...I'm not sure what they are actually but they look like lions or a cross between a dragon or something. They can be found everywhere.
Maybe its because Naha looked just like any other town but it was quite boring. Or maybe it was because we just spend an amazing 3 days at the beach and was going back to Tokyo...
If I had to compare it with a location in Tokyo I would call it something like "half of Shimokitazawa shopping district" ?
They do have interesting characters down town like this Tetsujin. Slightly too heavy to take back to Tokyo.
And dont forget to pick up something nice for your boss like this - can you guess what it is? If I was to receive this from one of my staff - I would probably give them their notice ^^;
We identified this street as down town but there was probably much more to it...
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Student
This.. wow. And people always said that the beauty of the scenery in mangas are exaggerated.
Student
This.. wow. And people always said that the beauty of the scenery in mangas are exaggerated.
Student
This.. wow. And people always said that the beauty of the scenery in mangas are exaggerated.
Student
This.. wow. And people always said that the beauty of the scenery in mangas are exaggerated.
medicine student & otaku
wao! nice pictures Danny the sun gives an incredible effect 2 the water COOL!!(i'm still trying 2 figure out what's that thing ur holding mmmm.. looks like an uterus XD! hahaha not sure)
study
Minami-ke ~okinawa
NOw danny-keeeee ~tooper okinawa
C. Engineering Student
http://otaku.baywords.com
I'd like to go there but I don't think "foreigners" (especially americans) are wanted there. I hear racism/prejudice is pretty high in Okinawa. It does look gorgeous.
Secretary
http://figured.wordpress.com/
Oh god it's a uterus.
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
LOL what the heck is that in the second last picture?!
Excuse me be where are all the japanese idoles in your photo of Okinawa Beach, I don't see one... Is it a Legend?
Manga store owner
http://www.otakuland.org
Wow! Now I want to go to Okinawa...
Journalist
nice sea! I can't stay more than a few hours under the sun, if i do it i become red like a lobster
Student, Goddess of the Blue Star
gorgeous! that is so beautiful. also, im gonna make a website sooner or later. yeah...
Ork Warlord
Beutiful place, white sand, looks like paradise. In Ibiza island, there are some beach as beautiful like this, visit Ibiza sometimes, is great place to holidays!!
Student
really nice photos danny i've never seen such crystal clear water....i like quiet cities...i think i'll be moving to manza city XDD
machine operator
thank you for posting these photos. what a beautiful place!
Nekophilia
Penang..? I don't remember Penang waters being that clear.. lol. ><
Vacuumed pig brain.. Guhh =.=
Student
http://www.joesblog.jp
whats with the repost :S thought I recognised this lol
Student
http://crashacat.wordpress.com
Probably time to go on a new vacation again.
Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
http://www.aprilius20.com
Okinawa- maybe I could wander around some tombs and find Saya (Blood+) there:p
That aside, what is that thing? Looks like some sort of... tofu skin?
Dancing Monkey
http://caitlinomara.com
Absolutely beautiful photos, thanks for sharing! I really want to go to Okinawa some day and try to learn about some of its traditional culture. Less of the beach for me but it's still beautiful.
Electrical Engineering Fresh Graduate
I've heard that Okinawa is fond of its diving spots. Have you tried diving yet?
PS: I noticed there are lots of SD gundam ava recently, what happened? Gundam invasion..?? o_O
Marketer
Nice ! i really wanna live in Japan !!! :)
Graphic Designer
The drinks that are Shekwasha (correct spelling for it) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shekwasha
It's a fairly unique fruit that are only found in Okinawa, Taiwan and some South Asia islands. The taste is really good and it is very refreshing.
As for the thing in the bag is actually a boneless pig head. (It's my best guess!)
Since there are some Okinawa cruises the cooks the head whole. I had it once and it's very good.
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
this post must be quite old with the old avatars.
anyway love the clear sea water, white sand and clear blue sky. ^^
http://www.stefkov.com/
So many lovely photos.
"my fart has more power than this car."
That sentence has made my day.
BioResearch Assistant
Absolutely beautiful. Whenever I get the chance to go to Japan- will definitely have to bring some friends - I'll look for that one beach that was untouched.
White sand, clear water, blue skies. Amazing.
Student
The drink is calamansi in english. In some countries, it's sold with lemon added to it. My uncle's friend was a chemist on the team that invented the drink. :)
pixels & photography
http://www.studiosushi.com
the water looks like exactly the same as in the Maldives islands <3
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Want to go Maldives! I hear its very expensive to go though.
Full-time student へへ
http://www.kenleewrites.com
i only went for work. didn't had the time to wander off to the gorgeous beach, save for a sunrise... nice pics. no trooping in okinawa?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Armor does not leave Tokyo ^^
Student
My friend is Okinawan and he goes back frequently, I cant believe how beautiful it is there.
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Old post afloats?
Anyways, nice pics... I want to go to Okinawa next time I'm in Japan...
Architect
http://marcsy.multiply.com/
The place is beautiful! I think the anti-tsunami things are called Breakwaters. :)
Otaku / Student in Networking
http://hayasaki-kun.blogspot.com/
Wooo the water at the beach is very clear and clean ^^ I wish to swing in there
College student / anime and manga okatu (in training)
wow japan has some lovely beaches.. sigh it reminds me of the beaches by me in the caribbean.... beautiful
Student
http://blackcomet.pcriot.com/
wow... looks absolutely beautiful.. makes me wish i was travelling this christmas holidays. mmm, yea, i don't know what that thing your holding is, but maybe someone already thoguht of it. i'm thinking maybe, animal uterus, stomach, bladder?
houkouonchi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/red_mango/
Hai Tai.
Okinawa is definitely on my list of places to visit. Thinking about this makes me want to re-watch the Churasan series (j-drama).
Apprentice Baking & Pastry Chef
http://Ima-Monogatari.com/
its Sai; Hai Sai.
nywho, Y_Y your bathing in the sun while we frezze our ases off here in the pacific NW.
SNOW SNOW SNOW...Y_Y
looks like hawaii!
houkouonchi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/red_mango/
Yes I'm aware of Hai Sai. Hai Tai would be valid if a female was say it, if I remember it right.
Actor, Moviemaker and Blogger.
http://sitedofonseca.blogspot.com
Someday I'll meet Okinawa! The land of Mister Miyagi! :)
What a beautiful blue ocean...
Student
http://lordofgundams.blogspot.com/
One more reason why I want to visit Japan. Ugh, if only I had the money for a nice vacation there, I'd enjoy it to the fullest.
Student
Nice, pictures of beautiful beach, just what I needed right now:)
But sadly this reminds me that I didn't make it to the beach this summer... blah, it was very rainy and cold summer anyways:P
Blogger
http://quicoto.com
Nice photos dude, keep it up !
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
If only it were warm enough to go to the beach. T_T
I am surprised that some people knew what the mystery package in your hands were.
And once again, more beautiful pictures. Still trying to get the hang of my camera. Hard to find good subjects though.
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
http://www.dannychoo.com/adp/eng/611/Okinawa+Photo.html#image2992 Looks so beautiful!
LOL at fart is more powerful than Toyota Passo XD
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
Never been to a beach but would sure love to go to one XD
IT Business Analyst + Test Analyst + Undergrad Uni Student
http://www.crepuscular.asia
Nice white sands, most of the beaches I've seen in Japan are so bleak... Any surfable beaches around in Okinawa? Thinking of doing few months of student work in Okinawa after I graduate from uni
http://gakuranman.com
Those tsunami blockers are called Tetrapods! Some love em and some hate em. Me, I just like the name.
消波ブロック、
テトラポットとは形が違うけれどそれで（テトラポット）通じると言えば通じるんではないでしょうか・・・
沖縄・・・いいなぁ、広島から先は行ったことがない・・・。
http://gakuranman.com
本当だ・・・ちゃんと見てなかったな、僕。＾＾；
Student & Authorized Chicken Slapper
http://www.otakuinternational.com
DUDE WTF the waters are so damn clear man. Man I never seen a beach like this, I mean just wow its like there is not a single drop of pollution in it.
College Freshmen
Reminds me of a beach I went to once in Philippines. We later took a boat ride to some place in the ocean where the water wasn't as deep (you can tell where the water gets deep all of a sudden by the change in color). My sister got stung by jellyfish or something there. ^^;
Martial arts SLAM-dancer, anime-gaming otaku, defender of Ash and Mistys love
http://www.myspace.com/moogleborg
Those pics of Okinawa are really beautiful. :D I should go there and relax and train one of these days. ^^
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
Ooohhh so beautiful. I love Okinawa. I wonder Danny-- did you eat any benimo, or try any Ryukyu cuisine?? Wonderful foods! My wife and I went to Okinawa one month ago for our honeymoon. It was so lovely.
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
Orion ビール！
Hi Danny. I'm living in Naha, Okinawa.
That street is "Kokusai-Dori 国際通り". And I think there is boring. but it's good place that buying some Okinawan goods.
by the way, Okinawa has many interesting foods and drinks. I love シークワーサージュース!
Okinawa-Soba(ソーキそば(spareribs with soba) てびちそば(pings feet)) is most delisious and famous food in Okinawa,I think! we called it just soba, but it's totally differnt from Soba.
I like タコライス(taco rice) too. tacos on rice... 高校生のときの昼食は、殆ど毎日タコライスでした。 250円だった！
そういえば、ビーチではTシャツのまま泳いでる人がいませんでしたか？
ほとんどの沖縄の人は海ではTシャツをきたまま泳ぎます。
日焼けが怖いし、クラゲとかに刺されるのを防ぐためです。特に、ネットがないビーチなどで。
image #2983の子供もシャツのまま！
今度来るときは、もちろん海、そしてハンググライダーorパラグライダーで空も体験してみてはどうでしょうか！
btw, thanks for accepting friend request on facbook.
Secondary School Student
http://j-singstar.blogspot.com
Sugoi!The photos look like windows wallpapers!Those pictures are simply beautiful,especially the one with the full view of the Sky and the Clouds.Why can't I ever take photos like those?:(
Simple Program Creator, 3D Designer (Without animation), Flammable Organic Gas Producer, Oxygen consumer
two words.....
EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL....
the water....the sand...it's clean..
ow...ow.oow..owowow...man
i can imagine the clean air of okinawa (i think...) from my PC....
http://www.almost-otaku.blogspot.com
I would love to be in that water right now.
浦の引き篭り
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3219/haruhimemew.gif
Beautiful photos. I live in front of the a beach and I haven't seen such a nice landscape.
Btw, what should we avoid? The car you rented or your farts? xd
Student and that extra in Life
Really beautiful photos Danny. You Could even be a professional photographer ^^
大学生
Pretty pictures, I got to spend a week in Okinawa once. It was awesome besides the sunburn I got haha.
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
beautiful place. okinawans are pretty lucky to have such a wonderful place. wish i could travel there one day.
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Okinawa reminds me of this... So is this true or is it all propaganda?^^;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_bHjgfgen8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab5C8jM31bg&feature=related
Developer
http://www.uwaah.info/
Really good picture. The water is very clear and pure.
Student.
http://hanamerhi.deviantart.com/
It's so funny that you posted this up! My mom saw a video on youtube talking about the longest living people on the planet (or something like that). and the people in Okinawa live the longest since most of their diet consists of Fish and Vegetables. She instantly fell in love with the place and said she would go in a heartbeat. I'm really glad too, because I might go to Japan a little sooner than I thought. hehehehehehe~
Also, Those dragon/lion things are called Shiisa. (シーサー)
-> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shisa
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
i remember watching that, it was awesome, it gave me another reason to go to japan
Software Pirate
did you ever find out what those concrete things are called? it's something i've wondered for a long time.
i've wanted to get some tiny, scale-model ones since seeing astro boy use them to save the day. i dunno, i'm just really drawn to the shape, especially the ones that look like big, blunt concrete caltrops.
Student
http://musou-enrai.deviantart.com/
Great photos!
Supreme Commander of NERV Co.
The water is so crystal clear, I wanna go to the beach now...
Student, Performer
http://kesenaitsumi89.wordpress.com/
You have been taking good photos everywhere. I wonder how much had it cost you to bought your camera?
university student
great pics just makes me love japan more and more
College Freshmen, Otaku, Gamer, etc
Man, i love those photo's, it's totally different than any place I've been to.
By the way, those chicken things are turkey right?
broadcast producer, composer
Beautiful pics, I haven't been there since I was a kid, I was born in Kadena Village near Naha, my mom's side of the family are all Okinawan. I hope to go back there some day soon, take my mom with me.
High School Student, Freelance Graphic Designer
http://terankun.blogspot.com/
wow the beaches look better than the ones here
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
http://argylebolivar.wordpress.com
aww that looks soo lovely ^_^ =3 I WANT TO GO THERE!! =3
Tertiary Student ２年生
http://vonct.wordpress.com
I've never been to a beach with such beautiful waters. Definitely will visit Okinawa when i made it to Japan.
90's F1 Afficionate and Anti-Otaku
http://www.livestream.com/f1action
Those anti-tsunami stones are called wavebreakers, made up to break up the waves
On photo id 3001 nobody has any idea on why they're drivin' in a NO-CAR ZONE!!!!!!!!
Secretary
http://figured.wordpress.com/
Oh thank god *see my comment below*
Otaku-in-training
http://www.flickr.com/people/terrorhunt/
Need more girls-in-bikini pics.
student
image ID#2987
on tis ID?