Okinawa, Japan 2: Heading North
Written & Directed by James Knott

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James takes a bus to the northern tip of Okinawa's main island, Hedo Misaki, in an attempt to see why nobody lives up north. Along the way he visits Nago, the Orion Beer Factory, Hentona and Hedo Misaki. There are beautiful ocean views and high rocky cliffs. James even finds some friends from his home state of Ohio.

OKINAWA, JAPAN

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture. Over 1.25 million people are scattered across nearly 150 islands.

Okinawa has a unique culture that goes back several hundred years to when it was an independent country known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. This kingdom was known to trade frequently with China and as a result adopted much more from the Chinese than the rest of Japan.

The main island, Okinawa-honto, is surrounded by vivid, bright blue ocean and coral reefs. It is densely populated and urbanized in the south, while the the mountainous northern part of the island consists of just a few fishing villages and dense forests.

The beautiful, sub-tropical setting combined with historical roots that are more intertwined with China than Japan, have created a wonderful culture that is distinctly Okinawan.

TRANSCRIPT
Okinawa, Japan 2:  Heading North

I’m currently in Nago waiting for a bus, so I can go up north to the unpopulated area of the island.

Over a million people live on the island of Okinawa, but most of them live in the south near the capitol city of Naha, and near the military bases around Okinawa City.

I take the #67 bus and head through the streets of Nago.  whose main attraction is the Orion Beer factory.  Orion is by far the number one beer in Okinawa. 

“KANPAI”

A little beyond Nago, the road hugs the coastline, we pass a few small villages on the way to Hentona where we have to switch buses.  Hentona is the last major village before heading to the tip of the island – Hedo Misaki.

The bus leaves us in Hentona, a quiet town with a few small stores, restaurants and hotels.

Thousands of miles from home, I run in to someone from my home state of Ohio, who knows my mother-in-law, Satoko.

“Hi Satoko…”

My new friends and I board the next bus to Hedo Misaki. 

My plan is take the bus to Hedo Misaki and hike back to Hentona – which looks to be about 15 kilometers on the map.

SOT “We’re currently on a bus to Hedo Misaki.  The ocean outside is more beautiful than I have ever seen.”

Looking out the window it quickly becomes apparent why noone lives up north.  The rocky landscape crashes quickly into the ocean, leaving no room for building houses or farming.

The scenery is beautiful and I’m looking forward to reaching the northern tip of the island – Hedo Misaki.