All posts filed under: Okinawa

July 30, 1978

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In 1972, Okinawa rejoined Japan. Six years later, on 30th July 1978 traffic rules reverted, so that once again cars drove on the left.  A small memorial beside the 730 Crossing on  Ishigaki island, serves as a reminder.

Maehama Beach, Miyako Island

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Dawn at the gorgeous Maehama Beach on Miyako Island. A long stretch of soft white sand in front of the excellent Miyakojima Tokyu Resort. I’ve spent the past couple of months updating the Okinawa and Kyushu chapters of the Fodor’s Japan guidebook. A lot of the job is the somewhat mundane, but necessary, checking of phone numbers, prices, times and distances. However, the morning  I site-checked Maehama Beach was always going to be a good day at the office.

Genki Oba-chan

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Okinawan women not only have the longest life expectancy in the world, but the extra years are usually healthy, happy and productive. The reason is more nurture than nature, so eat your veggies, get some exercise, cherish your friendships, and remember to smile.

Protecting the Okinawa Rail

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The Okinawa Rail ( Gallirallus okinawae ) know locally as the Yanbaru Kuina is a small flightless bird that is endemic to the forests of northern Okinawa. There are less than a thousand birds remaining on Okinawa, and numerous factors both natural and manmade are keeping the population small. Various animals kill  the birds including jungle crows, mongooses and cats. The crows are a natural part of the forest ecosystem, but mongooses were introduced to try and control the habu snake population, and feral cats are discarded strays and their progeny. Signs are now posted telling people not to discard their unwanted pets, and for several years there has been a program to try and eradicate the mongoose from the northern part of the island. Another common killer of the Okinawa Rail is motor vehicles. The local government has tried to reduce the frequency of accidents by posting warning signs for motorists informing them to slow down, phone numbers if you should find (or be the cause of) an injured bird, and mini exit ramps …