The rich island chain of Okinawa was once part of the Ryukyu Kingdom which was a prosperous trading nation from the 14th -16th century. The islands exchanged hands through clan take-overs until it was used by the United States as a military base in 1945. The islands were returned to the Japanese administration in 1972. Okinawans regard themselves different from the people who live in mainland Japan and are extremely proud of their uchinanchu (sea people) heritage.

The subtropical climate is just one of the allures of the island chain. While neighboring cities of Shanghai, Taiwan and Pusan experience freezing weather in January, Okinawa’s temperature remains at 20°C, making the country a popular destination in the winter months. The islands are lush and evergreen all through the year, surrounded by pristine beaches and grand historical structures. Kume Island is home to scenic Eef Beach with powdery white sand lined with what locals call turtle shell rocks. The island remains untouched by modernity which makes it a heavenly recluse for nature lovers. On the east side of Kume Island is another white beach island surrounded by emerald green ocean called Hate-no Hama. The 7-kilometer beach is a tropical paradise for tourists.

The best time to visit, locals advice, is around March and April. Okinawans celebrate a number of national holidays by the end of April and it might be worthwhile to join the celebrations and witness local traditions. Being at the center of Taiwan, China, Korea and the Philippines, the culture of Okinawa is said to be a culmination of all the Southeast Asian countries, coupled by the remnants of the Ryukyu heritage. Travellers marvel at the longevity and health of the Okinawan people and they can’t help but become curious about the cuisine that was influenced a long time ago through trade.

There are nine ruins and natural formations preserved from the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom and they’ve all been declared as World Heritage Sites. One protected site is the sacred place of Sefa Utaki. It was used as a ceremonial place where the supreme priestess Kikoe Ogimi came to pray in the ancient times. Visitors will feel sacredness in the whole island as they view the panoramic forests of that serve as a habitat to rare flora and fauna. The geographical separation is a blessing for the indigenous species in this part of Japan, such as the iriomote-gaya, an endangered plant, found only in the mangroves of Iriomote Island. The unique features of Okinawa and its natural, cultural and historic treasures truly make this island a hidden gem of Japan.