Okinawa Island Guide

Everything on Okinawa Island from A to Z | Northern area

Okinawa Island Guide
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沖縄科学技術大学院大学

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

1919-1 Tancha, Onna Village
Tel: 098-966-8711

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST; Jonathan Dorfan, president) opened its doors in September 2012 after 11 years of planning to establish a graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa that conducts research and provides education of “best in the world” quality. President Dorfan said at a ceremony welcoming him to the school that “there is no other graduate school in the world that consists of students who have such a diverse scientific and cultural background as far as I know.” With approximately 50 professors, 260 researchers and 170 administrative and support staff in addition to the student body, OIST actively hosts events such as Open Campus and also sends its academics to lecture at local schools. It is expected that OIST will contribute to the development of Onna Village as a place of academic endeavor combined with a wealth of resorts and abundant natural beauty.

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Blue Cave

Maeda, Onna Village

The Blue Cave has been one of the most popular diving spots on island in recent years. The place offers the extraordinary sight of the entire cave naturally illuminated in blue. The sunlight streaming in from the entrance hits the bottom of the cave through clear seawater, and the reflected light from the water provides a natural illumination to make the cave blue. The cave is located at the base of Cape Maeda, and unaccompanied swimming is dangerous. Most visitors go on a tour guided by a local diving shop or are accompanied by a local guide with knowledge of the geography of the area. Half of the cave is under water, so you must snorkel to enter it.

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安波のタナガーグムイの植物群落

Tanagagumui in Aha

Aha, Kunigami Village, Kunigami

The plant community around the Tanagagumui area is designated as a protected species area. There are many rare plants such as koke-tanpopo (a kind of dandelion), yakushima-sumire (a type of violet) and Ryukyuasebi, which is a tree with pretty white, bell-shaped flowers. To reach Tanagagumui, be prepared to do some trekking, making it advisable to wear sturdy shoes and casual clothes. Visitors must hike down a narrow trail with a rope to get to the final destination. Despite all the hiking, this is a trip worth doing as breathtaking views await the visitors who make it there.

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笑味の店

Emi no Mise

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億首川のマングローブ林

Mangroves on the Okukubi River

Kin, Kin Town
This is the only place on the main island of Okinawa where four different types of mangroves can be observed growing together. The area is also known as a good spot for bird watching as the natural surroundings attract quite a large number of birds.

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新開地

Shinkaichi district

Shinkaichi, Kin Town

Since its appearance in films and photo magazines, the Shinkaichi district has come into the limelight as a new sightseeing spot. Shinkaichi, located right across from the main gate of Camp Hansen, is Kin's entertainment center with numerous bars and restaurants with unique food choices including taco rice. The walls of the area are covered in impressive graffiti.

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金武大川

Kin Ukkaga

640 Kin, Kin Town

One of Okinawa's most important spring water sources, also known as the ''fountain of longevity.''

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金武鍾乳洞

Kin Shonyudo

222 Kin, Kin Town
Tel: 098-968-8581
Hours: 9:00-16:45 (Kannon Chaya)
Open daily
Admission: 400 yen

With ideal conditions for aging awamori, this cave on the Kin Kannon Temple grounds offers an awamori storage service in which 10,000 bottles are currently stored.

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金武観音寺

Kin Kannon Temple

222 Kin, Kin Town

This is a traditional wooden temple built about 480 years ago. Kin Kannon Temple did not suffer direct war damage, and even today it retains its old architecture.

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湧出（ワジー）

Wajee

Higashieue, Ie Village (Ie Island)

From the Wajee lookout, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the cliffs and the changing scenery depending on tide and weather.

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伊江島タッチュー

Tacchu

Higashieue, Ie Village (Ie Island)

A craggy, 172-meter-high mountain known as Tacchu is approximately 7,000 years older than the island itself. The mountain was created by a rare crustal deformation in which part of an old rocky layer moves to the top of a new rocky layer while being folded under the new layer. Here you can get the feeling of the enormous force of crustal movement.

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ニャティヤ洞

Nyatiya Cave

1355 Kawahira, Ie Village (Ie Island)

There is a popular belief that female infertility can be cured by holding up the Bijiru-ishi, a holy stone found in this sacred cave. The cave is also called Sennin-gama as it was used a bomb shelter and saved numerous lives during the war.

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