Shuri Castle
Restored capital of the Ryūkyū Kingdom — the brilliant-vermilion main hall burned again in 2019 and is mid-restoration; some buildings and the stone walls remain open.
Open in Maps ↗Prefecture profile · 都道府県
Okinawa 沖縄県
The former Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429–1879) — Japan's only ex-independent kingdom, a Chinese tributary state with its own language, music, and cuisine. Today: subtropical beaches, the densest concentration of US military bases in Asia, Orion Beer, awamori, and the world-record-holding longevity villages of Ogimi.
Capital
Naha
Population
1.47 million
Area
2,282 km²
Region
Okinawa
History
The Ryūkyū Kingdom (1429–1879) was an independent maritime trading kingdom that paid tribute to Ming and Qing China while maintaining a separate cultural identity. Annexed by Satsuma in 1609 as a shadow vassal, then formally absorbed into Japan as Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. Ryūkyūan languages are linguistically distinct from Japanese.
The Battle of Okinawa (April–June 1945) was the largest amphibious battle in the Pacific War; roughly one-quarter of Okinawa's civilian population died in three months of ground combat. Postwar, Okinawa was administered by the United States until reversion to Japan on 15 May 1972 — and US bases still occupy ~15% of the main island's land area.
Okinawa was for decades the world's largest concentration of centenarians per capita — the village of Ogimi has been studied as a 'Blue Zone' by international gerontology projects. The traditional Okinawan diet (purple sweet potato, goya bitter melon, tofu, pork, awamori in moderation) is the basis of the 'Okinawa diet' that became a global longevity meme in the 2000s.
Economy & business
Okinawa's prefectural GDP is around ¥4.7 trillion (US$32 billion). Tourism is Okinawa's largest industry by far — pre-pandemic, ~10 million visitors a year for a 1.47 million population. US base-related spending, military payroll and base-construction contracts; sugarcane and pineapple agriculture; awamori (Okinawa's distilled rice spirit); a fast-growing IT and BPO sector in Naha that pitches itself as 'Asia's IT hub.'
Key industries
Tourism
10+ million annual visitors pre-pandemic; subtropical resorts on the main island and the Yaeyama and Miyako archipelagos; diving on the Kerama Islands; the 1992-restored Shuri Castle.
US base economy
US military bases cover ~15% of Okinawa Island; payroll, real-estate leases, and base-construction contracts contribute several percent of prefectural GDP. Politically contested.
Awamori & beverages
Awamori, a distilled rice spirit unique to Okinawa, has been continuously produced for ~600 years; ageing for 3+ years produces kūsu, the prefecture's prestige spirit. Orion Beer (Nago, 1957) is the prefecture's signature beer.
Agriculture (subtropical)
Sugarcane (Okinawa is Japan's #1 producer), pineapple, mango, dragonfruit, goya bitter melon, beni-imo purple sweet potato.
Crafts
Bingata stencil dye, Ryūkyū lacquer, Yomitan yachimun pottery, Yonaguni and Ishigaki minsah weaving — Okinawan traditional crafts are clearly distinct from mainland Japanese forms.
Notable companies
Orion BeerBank of OkinawaRyukyu BankOkinawa CellularANA OkinawaOkinawa Electric PowerHelios Distillery (awamori)Sun A (food)
Trade partners
ChinaTaiwanUnited StatesHong KongSouth Korea
Tourism highlights
Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu)
One of the world's largest aquariums — the 'Kuroshio Sea' tank houses whale sharks and giant manta rays through 60 cm of acrylic.
Open in Maps ↗Kerama Islands
National-park archipelago 35 km off Naha with some of the world's clearest turquoise water and protected sea-turtle nesting beaches.
Open in Maps ↗Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Yaeyama)
Southernmost UNESCO Natural Heritage site (2021); Iriomote is 90% jungle with the endemic Iriomote wildcat, accessible only by river kayak or trail.
Open in Maps ↗Cape Manzamō
Elephant-shaped lava cliff on Onna village's coast — the picture of west-coast Okinawa.
Open in Maps ↗Yonaguni 'monument'
Submerged rock formation off Yonaguni island whose origin (natural or man-made) is still actively debated; a diving destination.
Open in Maps ↗Did you know
Okinawa was an independent kingdom called Ryūkyū from 1429 to 1879 — formally annexed by Japan only 150 years ago. Several Ryūkyūan languages spoken on the islands today are linguistically distinct from Japanese and are classified by UNESCO as endangered.
About 15% of Okinawa Island's land area is occupied by US military bases — the highest concentration of US forces in Asia, and a politically charged constant of postwar Okinawan life. The prefecture hosts roughly 70% of all US military personnel stationed in Japan despite being only 0.6% of Japan's land area.
The village of Ogimi on the northern coast was studied internationally as a 'Blue Zone' for its high concentration of healthy centenarians — at one point the world's highest. The Okinawan traditional diet of goya, sweet potato, tofu and modest pork became a global longevity meme in the 2000s.
About Okinawa — Frequently asked
What is the capital of Okinawa?
The capital of Okinawa is Naha.
What region of Japan is Okinawa in?
Okinawa is part of the Okinawa region of Japan.
What are Okinawa's main industries?
Okinawa's key industries include Tourism, US base economy, Awamori & beverages, Agriculture (subtropical).
What are the top tourist attractions in Okinawa?
Top attractions in Okinawa include Shuri Castle, Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu), Kerama Islands, Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Yaeyama).
What major companies are based in Okinawa?
Notable companies headquartered in Okinawa include Orion Beer, Bank of Okinawa, Ryukyu Bank, Okinawa Cellular, ANA Okinawa.
Map
Scroll to zoom, drag to pan, tap a prefecture to open its chapter.