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

If you do not see a video box here, then this video can be seen on YouTube.

In this episode, I take a bus to north end of the island to find out why hardly anybody lives up there.

Flag of Okinawa, JapanOKINAWA, 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.Map of Okinawa, 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.

You can watch my videos about traveling to Okinawa on other video sharing websites...

Okinawa, Japan 1: Intro

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Okinawa, Japan 2: Heading North

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Okinawa, Japan 3: Hedo Misaki

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Okinawa, Japan 4: Hiking Route 58

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Okinawa, Japan 5: Hentona to Ogimi

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Okinawa, Japan 6: Family in Nakijin

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Okinawa, Japan 7: Nakijin Castle and Village

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Okinawa, Japan 8: Ie-Jima

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Okinawa, Japan 9: The Jungles of Yonaha-Dake

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Okinawa, Japan 10: Ocean Expo Park
and Churaumi Aquarium

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Okinawa, Japan 11: Togyu
Okinawan Bullfighting

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Okinawa, Japan 12: U.S. Military
and Central Okinawa

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Okinawa, Japan 13: Katsuren-Jo (Castle)

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Okinawa, Japan 14: Naha

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Okinawa, Japan 15: Kokusai-Dori

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Other Japanese Links:

Okinawa.com - Thanks for posting my videos!!!
Internet-Okinawa.com - Thanks for posting my videos!!!
Ohio Tomonokai website
Prepare for Driving in Okinawa/Japan
hdrjapan.com
JapaneseLifestyle.com

 

Check out my new website:
StrayCompass.com

View More Videos
About Okinawa...

Okinawa, Japan 15:
Kokusai-Dori
Souvenir shop on Kokusai-Dori in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa, Japan 14:
Naha

Katsuren-jo castle in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa, Japan 13:
Katsuren-Jo (Castle)

Katsuren-jo castle in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa, Japan 12:
U.S. Military and
Central Okinawa

U.S. Military Plane flies into Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa, Japan 11:
Togyu
Okinawan Bullfighting

Togyu - Okinawan Bullfighting

Okinawa, Japan 10:
Ocean Expo Park
and Churaumi Aquarium
Shark at Churaumi Aquarium

Okinawa, Japan 9:
The Jungles of Yonaha-Dake

Gusuku-Yama on the island of Ie-Jima

Okinawa, Japan 8:
Ie-Jima
Gusuku-Yama on the island of Ie-Jima

Okinawa, Japan 7:
Nakijin Village & Castle
Photo of Juna Ooshiro

Okinawa, Japan 6:
Family in Nakijin
Photo of Juna Ooshiro

Okinawa, Japan 5:
Hentona to Ogimi
Giant Wood Spider - Okinawa

Okinawa, Japan 4:
Hiking Route 58
Curvy road sign in northern Okinawa

Okinawa, Japan 3:
Hedo Misaki
Hedo Misako - Okinawan Revision Monument

Okinawa, Japan 2:
Heading North
Hibiscus on side of road in Northern Okinawa

Okinawa, Japan 1:
Introduction
James with school kids in Naha, Okinawa

Visiting Okinawa:
Second Generation
Heads to Okinawa
Shisa Dog - Okinawa, Japan

Eisa Drums
Eisa drum performance from members of the Ohio Tomonokai.
Eisa Drum Performers at the Ohio Tomonokai Fall Picnic

Ohio Tomonokai
Group Performance 1

featuring Sanshin (Shamisen), Taiko & Singing.
Shamisen and Taiko performance from the members of the Ohio Tomonokai

Ohio Tomonokai
Group Performance 2

featuring Sanshin (Shamisen), Taiko & Singing.
Shamisen and Taiko performance from the members of the Ohio Okinawan Tomono kai

Okinawan Sanshin Performance
Shamisen Performance from members of the Ohio Tomonokai

Okinawan Folk Dancing
Satoko Kortlandt Dances at the Ohio Tomono kai Spring Gathering

Site designed by James Knott
Agile H Productions, LLC
Copyright © 2008