Page 262 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

260  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

development of the Okinawan
people to the maritime culture
of Oceania through fishing and
navigation exhibits.
The Native Okinawan Village
is a faithful reconstruction
of traditional 17th- and
18th-century dwellings,
incorporating sacred springs
and forest, places of worship,
store houses, and an arboretum
with native plants. On the
coast close by is the Tropical
Dream Center, a complex of
Guest room in the Nakamura House high-tech greenhouses and
botanical gardens.
5 Nakagusuku style of rural architec ture.
Castle Ruin It consists of five buildings Environs
around a stone courtyard.
Nakagusuku Castle Ruin There are beaches about 30 km
Okinawan masons were (19 miles) to the south of the
13 km (9 miles) NE of Naha City, 5-min renowned, and even the park, along the coast of Nago
walk S of Nakamura House. Tel (098) pig pens here, with their finely Bay. Between Cape Busena
935-5719. Open 8:30am–5pm daily cut stones, are remark ably well and Inbu Beach is one of the
(6pm May–Sep). & made. A stone enclosure, with world’s finest underwater
a barrier to repel evil spirits observatories, at Busena
Built by Lord Gosamaru, – a typical Okinawan Marine Park. Don’t miss the
Nakagusuku was one feature – faces the excellent undersea aquarium.
of the first stone castles entrance. Descendants
to be built in Japan. of the Nakamura family  Busena Marine Park
Construction began continue to live in the Tel (0980) 52-3379. Open daily. &
in 1450 and continued private inner quarters ∑ busena-marinepark.com
for many years, en- Shisa ornament, of the house.
compassing a range Nakamura House
of masonry styles. The 8 Ie Island
views along the east coast of 7 Ocean Expo Park Ie Island
central Okinawa are excellent.
Lord Gosamaru was betrayed * 5,200. g from Motobu port.
by the northern noble Amawari, 20 km (12 miles) NW of Nago. @
who convinced the Shuri king Kinenkoen-mae. Open 8am–7:30pm Ie is a picturesque little island
that Gosamaru was raising (8:30pm in summer); last adm 1 hour ideal for bicycling. Bike rentals
before closing; some attractions close
troops against him. The king earlier. & for some attractions. are plentiful, and the whole
sent forces to attack, and ∑ oki-park.jp/kaiyohaku/ island can be explored in under
Gosamaru committed suicide 8 hours. The north terminates
rather than oppose a ruler he The Okinawa International in steep cliffs, while the interior
loyally supported. The walls are Ocean Exposition was held here is an expanse of sugarcane,
the only struc tures to survive in 1975; since then several new tobacco, and pineapple fields,
the ravages of time and the attractions have been added and old houses with kitchen
1458 Amawari Rebellion. to this coastal park, which gardens. Gusukuyama, Ie’s only
Passages link three main is also known as the Ocean hill, provides a first-rate view.
compounds, each enclosed EXPO Park and the
by high, fortified walls. Commemorative
National Government
Park. The Dolphin
6 Nakamura House Theater is popular with
Nakamura-ke House
families who come to
see the regular shows.
13 km (9 miles) NE of Naha City. The adjacent Okinawa
Tel (098) 935-3500. Churaumi Aquarium
Open 9am–5:30pm daily. &
houses more than 700
A visit to this well-to-do species of fish in three
18th-century farmhouse, now sections: tropical,
a museum with exhibits about ocean, and deep sea.
Okinawan daily life, offers rare The Oceanic Culture
insights into a more refined Museum relates the Sea turtle at Ocean Expo Park
For hotels and restaurants see pp306–7 and pp336–7

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm