A Journey Through Okinawa’s Heritage: Peace Memorial Park and Sefa Utaki

Discover the Perfect Blend of Nature and History: A Journey Through Southern Okinawa

The southern area of the main island of Okinawa is a special place that offers visitors a taste of natural grandeur and historical depth.

There are beautiful views of the ocean and wind, and places dotted throughout the area that convey the memories of war.

Tour this place and you will discover a new side of Okinawa.

In this article, we will introduce you to the southern area in all its charm and provide information that will inspire the Japanese who visit to be moved by its beauty.

Kanabashi, a driving spot where you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean

Kanehashi has attracted many tourists as one of the most spectacular driving spots in southern Okinawa.

It is also an ideal place for day-trip sightseeing due to its easy accessibility, being only about 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport.

The panorama of the Pacific Ocean seen from Kendo 86 is a beautiful contrast between the blue of the ocean and the sky as far as the eye can see.

The shape of the bridge with its curves is truly artistic. Driving while feeling the sea breeze brings a refreshing feeling that washes away the fatigue of daily life.

Specifically, the view of the ocean that appears while driving on the bridge is breathtaking, and as the term “he of the sea” implies, you will feel as if a paradise is spreading out before you.

Especially at sunset on a clear day, the setting sun on the horizon turns the Golden Bridge red, creating a special moment.

Also, there are small cafes and seaside restaurants in the neighborhood, where you can enjoy a meal while admiring the spectacular view, which is a pleasant attraction.

In this way, Golden Bridge is a place where you can enjoy not only the view but also many other things.

When you visit the southern area, be sure to experience this scenic spot.

Saiba Utaki, Okinawa’s highest sacred site and a World Heritage Site

Okinawa has many sacred sites, but Saiba Utaki is considered the most important of them all.

About 50 minutes drive from Naha Airport, “Utaki” refers to a sacred place of prayer and is a symbol of faith in Okinawa.

The site is registered as a World Heritage Site, and its serene atmosphere and natural beauty seem to wash over visitors.

Specifically, the huge stone gate that appears at the entrance of Saiba Utaki and the way the sun shines through the trees in the mysterious atmosphere provide an extraordinary experience, as if you have wandered into another world.

The site, which is carefully maintained by the local people, is also important to them as a special place to offer prayers and wishes.

When visiting, visitors are asked to calm themselves and proceed in resonance with nature.

A moment to face one’s inner self in that sacred air is a precious time to free oneself from the usual busyness and to prepare one’s mind.

Please visit this special place where you can experience the culture and history of Okinawa.

Experience Okinawa as it really is at Hyakuna Beach, my own unpopular beach

Although there are many beaches in Okinawa, Hyakuna Beach is perfect for those who dare to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beauty of the ocean in a quiet place.

Located about 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport, this beach is different from the touristy beaches and is well-liked by the locals.

After passing through a green tunnel, a beautiful white sand beach is revealed, and you can let your mind wander off into the pristine natural scenery.

The shallow waters and gentle waves on this beach make for a relaxing stroll.

This is a great spot for couples and families in particular to spend some peaceful time by the sea.

You can also take part in a barbecue prepared by the locals and enjoy fresh seafood, making it a special time away from the everyday.

Because it is not yet well known as a tourist spot, this place is well worth a visit, where you can quietly feel the beautiful Okinawan sea.

Please visit Hyakuna Beach and experience Okinawa as it really is.

Peace Memorial Park, where the preciousness of peace is engraved in your heart

The southern part of the main island, which was the site of the fierce Battle of Okinawa, is home to many facilities that convey the tragedy of the war, of which the Peace Memorial Park is a particularly important one.

Located in Itoman City, about 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport, this park, which commemorates the war dead and wishes for peace, serves to convey the memory of the war to the present.

There are many monuments and memorial towers in the park, each telling an aspect of the war.

In addition, at the museum attached to the park, visitors can view exhibits and videos detailing the facts of the war, and many people have been inspired to think about the preciousness of peace.

When visiting Okinawa, visitors are asked to reflect on the past here.

The record of the war leaves a strong impression on the minds of those who visit and renews their mourning for those precious lives.

The Peace Memorial Park is not just a tourist attraction, but a place that fosters thoughts of peace for the future.

We invite you to experience the history of Okinawa and reflect on the events of the past.

Memories of war felt at the Tower of Princess Lily

Only a 35-minute drive from Naha Airport, the Himeyuri Pagoda is a place worth visiting.

This is a cenotaph for the Himeyuri Students’ Corps, which was active during the war, and is a historical spot where the tragedy of war is vividly felt.

There is a Himeyuri Peace Memorial Museum around the tower, where survivors’ testimonies and facts of the war are displayed in detail.

Through these exhibits, visitors can witness the reality of the war and be deeply moved.

They will also be able to feel the mourning at the place where the sacrifices of the students were made.

The memories of the war that are etched in our hearts in and around the Tower of Princess Lily will be a driving force for peace in the future.

It is especially important for the younger generation to visit this place to learn and feel the history of war.

This is a place that should be visited at least once to pass on the importance of peace to the next generation.

It is an opportunity to remember the past and to think about what we should do for the future.

Proposal for the Future: Learning from Southern Okinawa, a New Value of Travel

The southern Okinawa area is a place of beautiful nature and deep history.

These are not just things to see, but things to experience and feel that will add new value to your own life.

While there are things to learn through sightseeing, you can also gain new perspectives through interaction with the local people.

Although none of Okinawa’s nature, history, or culture can be understood overnight, you will discover something new every time you visit.

It is important not only to visit tourist attractions, but also to experience firsthand the beauty of this land and the preciousness of peace, and to pass these feelings on to the next generation.

Now, on your next vacation, why not visit southern Okinawa and experience a different journey and gain a new perspective?