About Okinawa
What is Okinawa?
Okinawa (沖縄県) is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. It is made up of the Ryukyu archipelago, a string of 160 islands stretching over about 1,000 km between Kyushu and Taiwan. The largest island, also called Okinawa, is home to the prefectural capital Naha. The archipelago is renowned for its subtropical environment, its crystal-clear waters and its exceptional marine biodiversity.
History and Ryukyuan civilisation
Before its annexation by Japan in 1879, Okinawa was the heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom, an independent civilisation that maintained trade relations with China, Korea and Japan. This unique past forged a distinct culture, visible in its architecture, arts and language. Shuri Castle (Shurijo), the former royal residence, is today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The secret of longevity
Okinawa is known worldwide as one of the five “Blue Zones” on the planet — regions where people live particularly long and healthy lives. The concept of “Ikigai” (reason for being), a healthy diet based on vegetables, tofu, fish and lean pork, and strong social ties within the “Moai” (mutual support groups) are considered keys to this extraordinary longevity.
Key figures
- Area: 2,281 km²
- Population: ~1.45 million inhabitants
- Capital: Naha
- Language: Japanese + Ryukyuan languages
- Climate: Subtropical (20–30°C)
- Life expectancy: among the highest in the world