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Audrey Ng

Okinawa made the news recently when one of the lasting legacies of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the grand Shurijo Castle in Naha, burned down at the end of October.
The loss of the Unesco World Heritage Site was devastating, but the Japanese prefecture still has plenty to offer travellers looking for everything from culture and food to sun, sand and sea.

Closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan, the prefecture of Okinawa is distinctly different from the rest of the country. Strolling down the streets of the capital Naha, the atmosphere is relaxed, a stark difference from the buzzing energy of Tokyo.
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Eat like a local – and (hopefully) live longer
One thing that is uniquely Okinawa is its cuisine, said to be the key to its residents’ longevity. The islands are one of five regions in the world considered Blue Zones, a term coined by journalist and National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner, where people have exceptionally high life expectancies and enjoy healthy lifestyles.
Scientists have found that the Okinawan diet includes a higher proportion of carbohydrates to protein, which may be the reason for longer lives.




















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A common Okinawan dish is goya chanpuru, comprising stir-fried bitter melon, tofu, sliced pork or luncheon meat and egg. Washed first in sea salt, Okinawan bitter gourd is light, crunchy and said to stimulate digestion and lower blood sugar. Mineral-rich seaweed and tofu, which contains isoflavones and soy, are also commonly eaten.
Although pork is the main meat eaten in Okinawa – and Okinawans are said to consume all parts of the pig except its squeal – the Agu pork in Okinawa contains less cholesterol and is said to be rich in vitamin B1.




















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~~ * 紅芋天ぷらもちもち美味しかった This purple potato tempura was naturally sweet and delicious * #紅芋 #ベニイモ #紅芋天ぷら #いただきます #ヴィーガン #ビーガン #沖縄料理 #沖縄特産 #沖縄県産 #沖縄ライフ #沖縄 #沖縄大好き #tempura #beniimo #purplepotato #okinawafood #noms #vegan #deliciouslunchtime #okinawalife #okinawa #iloveokinawa #beokinawa # # #
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Another staple is beni imo, purple sweet potato rich in potassium and aitamin A. It is also made into ice cream and beni imo tart, popular in souvenir shops.
With more centenarians per-head in Okinawa compared to the rest of Japan, perhaps it's time to ditch all other fads and follow the Okinawan diet instead.
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Castles, crafts and snakeskin banjos
Comprised of more than 160 islands, of which 49 are inhabited, Okinawa was once an independent country ruled by the Ryukyu Kingdom from the mid-15th century until its abolition in 1875 under the Meiji era.
Ryukyu influence is still apparent in Okinawan culture and visitors will see a different side of Japan here.




















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In addition to the lost Shuri Castle, other Ryuku remnants designated Unesco World Heritage Sites include the ruins of five other castles and four other sites, such as the Nakagusuku (one of the best preserved), Katsuren, Zakimi and Nakijin castles.
Rykuyu influence can also be seen from the shisa or lion statues commonly found outside homes and buildings. Similar to Chinese guardian lions, shisa usually come in a pair – an open-mouthed male to scare off evil spirits and a closemouthed female to keep in good ones.
Okinawa has also developed its own traditional arts and crafts due to influence from surrounding regions such as China and Southeast Asia.




















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Discover the lost Okinawan art of Bingata, a dyeing process that creates colorful fabrics with dynamic patterns. ⁠ Via @tastemadetravel⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #travel #tastemadetravel #tastemademedoit #bingata #okinawa #okinawajapan #visitjapan #fabrics
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Bingata is a traditional dyed fabric featuring brightly coloured prints of natural elements such as flowers, fish and birds. Bingata cloth and bags are popular souvenirs, and you can even try making your own in a bingata class.
Another classic Okinawan item is the sanshin, a three-stringed instrument that resembles a banjo with the body wrapped in snake skin. Pop in to an izakaya specialising in live performances for an evening of traditional folk music.
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Sun, sand and sea

Beaches are aplenty throughout the Okinawan islands and warmer temperatures mean that visitors can go swimming, snorkelling and diving in crystal clear waters for much of the year.
Popular beaches on the mainland include Manza Beach at the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort in the north, or the man-made Emerald Beach on the west coast.
More intimate spots can be found on neighbouring islands such as Kouri and Sesoko that can be accessed by bridges, making for some truly spectacular drives over the sea.
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But for beautiful and secluded beaches, one has to venture further out. A 30-minute plane ride takes you to Kume Island, reputed for being the most beautiful of Okinawa’s islands. World-class diving is available at the Kerama Islands, with gorgeous “Kerama blue” waters and a variety of colourful coral reefs.
An hour away by plane is the Yaeyama region, which comprises a few islands including Ishigaki and Iriomote, Okinawa’s second largest island, and a handful of smaller islands abundant in nature.
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Naha’s Shuri Castle just tragically burned down – but from healthy eating and local crafts to sun, surf and plenty more Unesco-approved Ryuku sights, Okinawa still has plenty to offer the curious traveller


With a healthy home-grown cuisine said to keep Okinawans alive for longer, plus sun, surf and plenty more Unesco-approved Ryuku sights, Okinawa still has plenty to offer the curious traveller
