Okinawa, is comprised of 150 small islands, the largest of which is called Okinawa (strangely!), it was originally ruled by the Ryukyu Kingdom, but incorporated into the Japanese dynasty in the late 1800s. The islands have more people over 100 years old than anywhere else.

Our first stop was the Gyokusendo Cave, which is in a theme world like park, the Cave is 5km long, but only about a 1km is open to the public, it has over one million stalactites and stalagmites, small waterfalls and pools of water. As the Cave is so humid, constant 21 degrees, the stalactites/stalagmites grow by 1 inch every 75 years. There were a number of other traditional buildings on site demonstrating local pottery, glass making, weaving and dyeing. Also a small tropical garden where bananas, star fruit, mangoes and other fruits are grown.

We then set off for the Peace Memorial Museum which was built and maintained by the Japanese Government. Okinawa was the site of the only land battle in WWII, between the Japanese and the Americans. Over 200,000 died, half of whom were civilians. A very harrowing exhibition, rightly no photos, meant to honour the dead and convey the message of permanent peace. A memorial cornerstone is displayed in the grounds along with the names of those who lost their lives, carved into black blocks of stone. Also on the site is a Buddhist Temple built by a father of two sons who lost their lives in the battle.

Ishigaki Island
Another cave, very similar to the previous one, shorter, with a few more fairy lights! Then the Yaima Village, with a number of traditional houses and a Squirrel Monkey enclosure (these originate from South America!).

Final stop was Kabira Bay, one of the clearest on the island, where we took a glass bottomed boat to view the corals, fish and even a couple of turtles. Ended up in the Black Pearl shop, these are cultivated pearls, taking 6 years to form and only found here and in Hawaii.