The Okinawa Tropical Dream Center is a botanical garden for exotic plants. The center has three huge green houses, and a vast outdoor area. The primary attraction is the large collection of more than 2000 exotic orchids. The outdoor area includes an observation tower where one can see the entire park and the ocean just …
Tamaudun is a royal mausoleum in Okinawa. It is one of three royal Mausoleums, and was constructed for the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1501. Hotels in Okinawa Car Rental Okinawa Tamaudun, which is located quite near Shuri Castle in modern day Naha, is one of three royal mausoleums in Okinawa. The mausoleums were …
Zakimi Castle Ruins are the remains of a historic castle from the 1400’s. Only the castle’s beautifully curved stone walls remain today, though some have been reconstructed due to damage during war times. The castle is an important part of Ryukyu history, and is often missed by tourists in Okinawa despite being listed as a …
Cape Zanpa, sometimes called Cape Zampa, is a rocky cape with a 30 meter tall lighthouse. The cape, which is located about midway between Naha and Nago on Okinawa Main Island, is a popular destination due to the great views from the lighthouse, the unique rock formations surrounding it and the nice beaches. Hotels in …
Cape Sata, in Kagoshima Prefecture, is the southern-most tip of Kyushu and so the southern-most point of Mainland Japan. It is a stunningly beautiful cape consisting of jagged rocks and cliffs covered in lush green trees, and a classical white lighthouse overlooking the sea. There are great views over the ocean towards Yakushima. It is …
Kirishima is a smaller city of around 125.000 inhabitants, located in Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu. Apart from being located in a true adventure land, between sea and volcanoes, it is especially praised for it’s many food specialties, including shochu and green tea. The most unusual and defining specialty of Kirishima however, is their black vinegar. …
Cape Manzamo (万座毛), also known as Cape Manza, is a distinctive rock formation located near Onna Village on Okinawa Island. It is a highly popular location among tourists visiting Okinawa. It is said that Cape Manzamo was given its name after Shō Kei, the king of the Ryukyu Kingdom visited the area in the 1700’s. …
Uchinoura Space Center is a launching facility for space rockets located in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu. Until 2006 all Japans scientific satelites were launched from this site, and it remains in use today for certain launches. There is a museum and shop for visitors, and it is possible to get exceptionally close …
Udo Shrine, or Udo-jingū, is a spectacular Shinto shrine located inside a seaside cave in Miyazaki Prefecture near the most southern end of Kyushu. While it is located far away from most other attractions in Kyushu, it is possibly one one the most scenic and special shrines in southern Japan. Hotels near Udo Shrine Japan Rail …
Amami Islands, or Amami-guntō as the archipelago is officially named, is a beautiful group of islands, located about mid-way between Kyusuhu and Okinawa. Amami is part of the Ryukyu Islands, just like Okinawa, but it is technically a part of Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu. The climate, nature and landscape has many similarities with Okinawa, including the mild winters and hot summers. There are …
