In Okinawa, a saying goes "Every part of the pig can be used for food except for its squeal", and every component of the pig is used as ingredients in a variety of local specialties! With cooking methods carefully devised and passed down through generations, some of these specialties include serving Soki (spareribs) on top of Okinawan Soba, the chewy Mimiga and Chiraga (ears and face), and the Tebichi soup made from pig's feet🥣😋 #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawafood #okinawadelicacy #okinawalocaldelicacy #okinawapork

Fukugi Namiki in Bise is a hidden gem of Okinawa, just 3 minutes by car or 10 minutes by foot from the popular Churaumi Aquarium. Fukugi means lucky or happiness tree🌳 in Japanese. With roughly 20,000 Fukugi Trees estimated to be around 300 years old, create a serene path, coexisting peacefully with the old houses in the vicinity! #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawanature #nature #fukuginamiki #okinawahistory #relaxingokinawa

The Hotaru Glass is a beautiful glass ball that you can get as a souvenir in Okinawa! Made using a special lampwork technique that combines silver leaves and glass, there are a variety of colors available that represent the different parts of Okinawa by the color of their seas. One example is the Motobu Blue Hotaru Glass, that reflects the color of the sea of Motobu🌊. How about bringing back a part of Okinawa back with you as a souvenir with the Hotaru Glass? #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawacraft #okinawasouvenir #okinawaocean #okinawasea

"Utaki" refers to the sacred areas for worship and prayer in Okinawa, and the Sefa Utaki is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient prayer culture. Considered one of the most sacred sites in the Ryukyu Kingdom, the Sefa Utaki is still visited by locals and pilgrims today. Feel the deep thoughts and prayers that convey the gratitude of the faithfuls when visiting Sefa Utaki. #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawatradition #okinawascaredsites #unesco #okinawaheritage #utaki #sefuutaki

Okinawa's Koregusu is a unique seasoning made by infusing Shima Togarashi (Okinawan red chili pepper)🌶️ in the famous local liquor Awamori! Koregusu’s distinct and hot flavor makes it a local favorite often used in Okinawan soba, and various Okinawan stir fry foods! You could even try it as a substitute for wasabi in dishes like boiled tofu and sashimi🍣 #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawacuisine #okinawaspecialty #localspecialty #koregusu #okinawakoregusu

The Ryukyuan Dance is a traditional performing art of Okinawa, designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan in 2009! It's divided into three categories: Traditional Dance, Zo Dance, and Creative Dance. The Traditional Dance was created during the Ryukyu Kingdom era to welcome important envoys. The Zo Dance was developed after 1897 following the dissolution of the Ryukyu Kingdom, incorporating the music and culture of commoners into the traditional dance. Lastly, the Creative Dance is formed after the second World War by contemporary and modern dancers. Discover the diverse styles of each era through experiencing all categories of the Ryukyuan Dance🤩! #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawatradition #okinawaculture #okinawatraditionalperformance #okinawatraditionaldance #traditionaldance #traditionalokinawa

Eisa is a traditional performing art unique to Okinawa passed down through generations in each community🥁 Eisa's performers usually consist of local youth associations and during obon, you will get to see chanting dancers joined by drum and stringed instrument players parading through the streets and neighborhood with their own distinct style! #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawaobon #okinawaeisa #eisa #performing #art #performingart

In Okinawa, Obon is a significant event that takes place yearly from 13 July to 15 July of the lunar calendar. Ancestral spirits are welcomed back home in these three days and Okinawan households are expected to make elaborate preparations such as cooking putting together offerings. If you are in Okinawa during Obon, catch their lively tradition "Eisa", where villages are filed with local young dancers moving to the beats of songs and drums🥁🎶! #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawatradition #okinawaculture #obonokinawa #okinawaobon #tradition #culture

In Nago City, you can find the only underwater observatory tower on the main island of Okinawa at Busena Marine Park! Get to witness the crystal-clear water, colorful coral reefs, and tropical fish🐠 at a depth of 5 meters from the observatory tower. Since it's an indoor observatory, you can enjoy and learn about Okinawa's marine creatures even on rainy days☔ #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawamarine #okinawamarinepark #underswaterobservatory #okinawaobsevatory

Explore the stunning Valley of Gangala, a historic valley formed by the collapsing of a limestone cave light years ago🤩 Traces of ancient people who lived more than 20,000 years ago have been discovered, and ongoing excavation research is still being carried out in the valley! Make advanced reservations to join a tour to get to know the wonders✨ of the valley and feel the never-ending flow of time as you walk through the ancient grounds. You'll also have exclusive access to the Cave Cafe, reserved only for tour participants! *Guided tours are available only in Japanese #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawanature #nature #natureokinawa #limestonecave #explorenature #okinawavalley

Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of Hirune, a lodging located in Motobu town🍃 A home away from home, unwind on the porch following a day of exploring surrounding nature, or just take a quiet afternoon nap. A glimpse into Okinawa's local way of life, which has been delicately preserved through the years. #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawaaccommodation #accommodation #natureokinawa #okinawanature #relaxing #relaxingokinawa

Jushi is a must-have special rice cuisine of Okinawa! It is prepared by using glutinous rice🍚 as the base, from boiled pork broth, kombu dashi, hijiki seaweed, and carrots. As a soul food of Okinawa, you can easily find them in supermarkets and convenience stores around the island, and sometimes even served as a side of Okinawan Soba. #japan #okinawa #visitokinawa #okinawajapan #discoverjapan #japantravel #okinawatradition #okinawaculture #okinawacuisine #obonokinawa #okinawaobon #okinawafood #okinawaunke #unkejushi