hkskyline's 2012 in NAHA, Japan

[hkskyline]

Unlike the rest of Japan that I've visited in the past year, large crowds and city life don't associate with Okinawa. Instead, this is a tropical paradise where visitors come to enjoy nature and have a great time. Naha was the port of entry, but was not the final destination. Soon, we found a rental car and headed out to explore the island, stumbling across a few surprises.

A 13km monorail runs through Naha north-to-south, terminating at the airport.

















Naha's streetscapes are nothing inspiring. As the city was mostly destroyed in World War II, the structures are generally new and are not particularly attractive-looking.

































Naha's harbour is a small inlet that opens to the Pacific Ocean. Both Japanese and American militaries operate vessels here.







Naminoue-gu Shrine















The best place to capture a shot of this seaside temple is actually on the elevated highway offshore.





Behind the temple, Asahigaoka Park offers a serene escape and its sloping topography provides a few views.













There were people wandering around Naminoue Beach playing sports and enjoying the sandy beach, but none were actually in the water. With a view of the elevated highway just offshore, it's quite a turn-off.









The shrine and beach were a bit out of the way so now I head back to the monorail station just as a rainstorm approaches.







The full set is on my website : http://www.globalphotos.org/okinawa.htm