Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. Robert Walker
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Text and photos © 2014 Robert Walker, except for the following:
Pages 1: © Sean Pavone/Dreamstime.com; 2 top left: © leungchopan/istockphoto.com; 2 top right: © Club4traveler/Shutterstock.com; 3 top left: © Runinex/Dreamstime.com; 3 top right: © Leung Cho Pan/Dreamstime.com; 15: © bonchan/Shutterstock.com; 23 top left: courtesy of JAXA (Japan Aerospace); 27 middle: © Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO; 30 top: courtesy of Japan Meteorogical Agency; 45 above: courtesy of Prof. Yukio Hayakawa; 51 top right: courtesy of Leanne and Rik Brezina; 58 top: photo by Hiromitsu Katsu, courtesy of Prof. Fumio Hamada; 68 bottom: courtesy of www.japanupdate.com; 73: Jean-Marie Hullot, Wikipedia Commons; 117 top: courtesy of Reef Encounters; 150 bottom: courtesy of Mikimoto; 158 top left: courtesy of Reef Encounters; 243 below: courtesy of Japan-guide.com
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ISBN: 978-1-4629-1431-9 (ebook)
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Okinawa
and the Ryukyu Islands
The First Comprehensive Guide
to the Entire Ryukyu Island Chain
ROBERT WALKER
TUTTLE Publishing
Tokyo | Rutland, Vermont | Singapore
CONTENTS
Welcome to Okinawa and the Ryukyus
The Ryukyu Archipelago, Satsunan Shoto, Ryukyu Shoto, Getting Around, The Ryukyus In Depth, Island Nomenclature, Useful Japanese Island Terms, Safety and Comfort on Board, Okinawa’s Bitter Melon
PART 1
Chapter 1
Ancient outcrops, modern spaceport
Tanegashima, Mageshima, Yakushima, Kuchinoerabujima, Takeshima, Iōjima, Kuroshima
Chapter 2
Remote isles, volcanic peaks
Kuchinoshima, Kogajajima, Gajajima, Nakanoshima, Tairajima, Suwanosejima, Akusekijima, Kojima, Kotakarajima, Takarajima, Kaminoneshima, Yokoatejima
Chapter 3
Splendid vistas, rugged coasts
Amami-Ōshima, Kakeromajima, Kikaijima or Kikaigashima, Tokunoshima, Iōtorishima, Okinoerabujima, Yoronjima
PART 2
Chapter 4
Subtropical getaway, cultural hub
Chapter 5
OKINAWA MAIN ISLAND: THE SOUTH
Memorial museums, cultural sites
Okinawa Peace Prayer Park and Memorial Hall, Ryukyu Glass Village, Himeyuri Peace Museum and War Memorial, Culture Kingdom Gyokusendo, Gusuku (Fortress) Ruins, Seifa Utaki, General Buckner Memorial Plaque, Former Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters, Shikina-en Royal Garden, Shuri