Okinawa is the main island of an archipelago of over 180 total islands (inhabited and uninhabited) that stretches a length of 1000 kilometers (620 miles) off the coast of Japan’s southernmost main island.  The current population is around 1.4 million.  It is a popular vacation spot for Japanese and international visitors alike, known not only for beautiful beaches and resorts but also rich culture and history. 

Historically, Okinawa was an autonomous region known as the Ryukyu Islands.  It came under the control of Japan around the turn of the 16th Century, but maintained its independence and continued trade with China while the rest of Japan almost completely closed its borders to trade with the outside world.  It officially became part of Japan and was named Okinawa in 1879 after the Meiji Restoration, but then later was placed under control of the United States after World War II for almost 30 years.  This complex history and various outside influences have produced a rich and fascinating culture found nowhere else in Japan.  Visit Okinawa to experience unique local food, arts, and traditional crafts.