Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Okinawa Main Island. It is notably the largest and most heavily populated island in Okinawa Prefecture, serving as the regional transportation center. It is home to the prefectural capital Naha and the majority of the US military bases in the region.

While the central area of Okinawa Honto has developed into urban, the southern tip and the northern third of the island have lower population density. The northernmost Yanbaru Region is predominantly covered by forested hills and small fishing and farming communities.

Okinawa has remained a crucial strategic location for the United States Armed Forces since the Battle of Okinawa and the conclusion of World War II. The island was under the formal control of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands until 1972. Presently, there are approximately 26,000 US military personnel stationed on Okinawa, constituting about half of the total United States Forces Japan, which are distributed across 31 areas, 13 bases, and 48 training sites. US military installations cover roughly 25% of the Okinawa island.

Okinawa’s tourism industry is highly developed, with most tourists visiting for leisure trips focused on tropical charm, sunshine and beaches. Additionally, the unique and mysterious Okinawan culture attracts visitors who come to explore its ancient heritage. Due to Okinawa’s location on the continental shelf of the Pacific Ocean, the surrounding waters are abundant in fish, making fishing a major industry for the locals. Agriculture primarily involves cultivating sugarcane and tropical/subtropical fruits. Air transportation is the primary means of external and internal travel for Okinawa Prefecture. Naha International Airport is the most significant gateway in Okinawa for travelers abroad.

Here are some places of interest that Visit Japan Web recommends.