Okinawa prefecture (沖縄県)

Okinawa Prefecture — An Island Paradise Where Traditional Songs Thrive

Okinawa Prefecture is a group of islands located at Japan’s southernmost tip, having developed a unique history and culture distinct from the Japanese mainland. Surrounded by emerald green waters, this tropical paradise attracts numerous visitors from both Japan and abroad.

In Naha, the prefectural capital, you’ll find Shuri Castle, a World Cultural Heritage site currently being restored after a fire in 2019, and the lively Kokusai Street shopping district. Having once been the independent Ryuukyuu(Ryukyu) Kingdom, Okinawa retains its distinctive culture, performing arts, and language rooted in its historical background.

shuri castle, By 663highland – Own work, CC BY 2.5, Link

Ryukyu Kingdom History and Musical Culture

Okinawa was once an independent kingdom known as the Ryukyu Kingdom, with its own political and economic systems. While drawing on the language, customs, and performing arts of mainland Japan, the islands gradually developed a distinct cultural identity. At the same time, active exchanges with China and Southeast Asia further shaped Okinawa’s unique traditions.

Okinawan music evolved along a path different from the children’s songs and school songs commonly found on the Japanese mainland. “Bashoufu,” composed by FUKUHARA Tsuneo, gently portrays the labor and everyday lives of island women weaving traditional bashoufu cloth. “Asadoya Yunta,” passed down as an old folk song, features a light and rhythmic melody centered on the image of a beautiful young woman. “Tinsagu nu Hana” is one of the most representative Ryukyuan songs, expressing gratitude toward parents and the wisdom passed down through generations.

The melodies are characterized by what is known as the Ryukyuan scale. In its major form, it consists of the notes C–E–F–G–B, omitting D and A, while in its minor form it uses A–C–D–E–G, omitting B and F. This scale is also referred to as the “niro-nuki scale.” Although structurally similar to the “yona-nuki scale” found in mainland Japan, it produces a softer, gently swaying sound that gives Okinawan music its distinctive emotional depth and lingering resonance.

sanshin girl

For readers who would like to explore Okinawan music more deeply, the following CD offers a carefully curated selection of traditional Ryukyuan songs performed in authentic style. It serves as a gentle introduction to the musical atmosphere of the islands.

▶ View this Okinawan music collection on Amazon

Famous Sites and Cultural Heritage

Music is inseparable from the land that gives birth to it. Traveling through Okinawa allows visitors to experience the climate and landscapes that shaped the island’s music, beyond what textbooks once taught.

The group of cultural properties registered as the “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu” in 2000 conveys Okinawa’s unique history and spiritual traditions through castle ruins and sacred sites. At its heart stands Shuri Castle, which once served as the political, diplomatic, and cultural center of the Ryukyu Kingdom and remains a powerful symbol of the kingdom’s worldview and architectural heritage.

Located near Shuri Castle, Tamaudun (the Royal Mausoleum) was built in 1501 as the burial site for members of the Second Shou Dynasty. Designated as both a National Historic Site and a National Treasure, Tamaudun was also inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Its massive stone chambers and coral-paved courtyard preserve the royal funerary traditions of the Ryukyu Kingdom, offering deep insight into its spiritual and cultural foundations.

As the most sacred site of the former kingdom, Sefa Utaki represents the close connection between nature and prayer in Okinawan belief. Manzamo, with its dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea, is one of Okinawa’s most iconic natural landscapes, while Gangala Valley reveals the island’s ancient geology and early human history through its limestone caves and forests.

The memory of the Battle of Okinawa is preserved at sites such as the Himeyuri Monument and Peace Museum and the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, where visitors can quietly reflect on war, loss, and peace.

Modern attractions include the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, known for showcasing marine biodiversity; the scenic Kouri Island and Kouri Bridge; and Mihama Town Resort American Village, which blends resort culture with an American-inspired streetscape. Most recently, Junglia Okinawa has emerged as a new attraction, presenting a fresh style of tourism that combines nature-based experiences with entertainment.

Tamaudun, By 663highland – Own work, CC BY 2.5, Link

Himeyuri Monument and Peace Museum

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Natural Treasures and Nirai Kanai Belief

Furthermore, Okinawa is known as a natural treasure trove, with “Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island” being registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2021. This region is home to numerous endemic species and diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests and coral reefs.

This abundant nature is deeply connected to the concept of “Nirai Kanai,” which Okinawan people have believed in since ancient times. Nirai Kanai refers to an ideal land beyond the sea, believed to be the dwelling place of gods who bring abundance and happiness.

This belief is reflected in Okinawan music and performing arts, with many traditional songs sung while gazing at the sea containing yearnings for Nirai Kanai.

Nirai Kanai Bridge

Cuisine and Traditional Culture

Okinawa is known as the “Island of Longevity,” and its food culture has garnered attention. Goya (bitter gourd) champuru, sea grapes, and pork dishes like rafutee using Agu pork are part of the healthy food culture symbolized by the phrase “nuchigusui” (medicine for life). Additionally, shiisaa (lion statues) placed on roofs and gates of homes are cherished as guardian deities that ward off evil spirits, while the Eisa drum dance performed during the Obon season continues to be actively practiced as a traditional event expressing respect for ancestors and the island’s vitality.

okinawa gourmet

Okinawa Prefecture is a fascinating region that maintains its unique cultural identity while being part of Japan. Its beautiful natural environment, deep history, and traditional music and performing arts that continue to thrive today offer visitors special experiences that will remain in their hearts. Around Kokusai Street in Naha City, you’ll find numerous folk song bars where you can enjoy live sanshin performances while sipping local awamori spirits and interacting with local Okinawans. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to experience authentic Okinawan music firsthand.  

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