Profile of Okinawa|DMC OKINAWA Inc.

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Why Okinawa

History & Culture

Okinawa was an independent nation called Ryukyu Kingdom.
Between the 15th to mid 19th century, the Kingdom flourished with oceanic trading with South Eastern nations like China and Japan.
Today, Ryukyu Kingdom and its related historical assets are registered under UNESCO World Heritage.
Additionally, Okinawa has distinctive cultural heritages such as textile works known as Bingata and Bashofu, pottery works called Yachimun, distilled Awamori liquor, traditional Eisa dance, and old martial arts Karate.
In 1945, Okinawa came under the US military occupation which lasted for 27 years until 1972.
During these years, Okinawan traditional music was combined with American style music, which led to a birth of Okinawan Rock and Okinawan Jazz.
Okinawa has been producing leading J-POP musicians these recent years.
Okinawa tries to hand down its unique culture and history in many ways: such effort and action range from holding an annual Naha marathon race - one of the most popular citizens' marathon races in Japan, to establishing the world's highest level educational facility called Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

Nature

Okinawa is surrounded by the world class coral reefs. In Okinawa you can see tropical fishes and indigenous plants only seen in the subtropical marine climate zone.
For divers from around the world, many good spots where you can encounter Manta rays, and a spot off the coast of Yonaguni island known as "underwater ruin".
There are rare species very unique to Okinawa: Iriomote wild cats, a kind of Bengalee wild cats, only found in Iriomote island; and Yanbaru Kuina known as flightless birds and only found in Okinawa.

Climate

Okinawa enjoys warm climate all year around because it's in the subtropical marine climate -- average temperature between January and March is 15 degrees Celsius, mid-summer in July and August is around 30 degrees Celsius. Mean temperature difference is not as great as other places in Japan.
In the winter, the temperature almost never goes down below 10 degrees Celsius, but if you plan to visit the island then, you may feel chilly due to the strong northerly wind; so we recommend you bring light jackets.
It is also good idea to use sunscreen lotion even in the fall and winter.
For golfers, you can enjoy playing on a well maintained, beautiful green course all year round.

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Okinawa DMC Corporation
3-7-1 Hantagawa, Naha, Okinawa, 902-0071, Japan
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