Peace Prayer Memorial Park
Peace Prayer Memorial Park is one of those places that , I think , everyone should visit while they ’ re on Okinawa . As are all war memorials , the park is a sobering place . There are multiple memorials for those involved in WWII each with seemingly endless lists of names of people who gave their lives for something much bigger than they . The museum , full of history , provides a brief look into what life was like on Okinawa during the war . Visitors can read first hand accounts from survivors that seem to transcend time , their fear still palpable even as words on a page . It ’ s a place that puts into perspective the amount of loss and pain this island and its people have endured , another testament to the resiliency of this tiny island .
ChuraumiAquarium
If you ’ ve never seen a whale shark in the flesh , then you really ought to . These creatures are quite magnificent as they glide through the water beside manta and sting rays , sharks and various fish . The Churaumi Aquarium is home to a few of these beauties and with each visit , they remain as unbelievable as ever . The aquarium also houses a plethora of other marine life such as five different species of turtles , what seems like millions of types of fish as well as dolphins and manatees . It ’ s a full day excursion as the Churaumi Aquarium is part of Expo Park which includes a tropical and subtropical arboretum , Emerald Beach , a tropical green house and an oceanic cultural museum .
Busena Point
Also another full day trip , Busena Point offers trip goers a chance to see fish in their wild habitat with both a glass bottom boat tour as well as an underwater observatory that gives you a peek into the day in the life of a fish . It ’ s one thing to see these creatures in an aquarium but it ’ s a completely different thing to see them out in the real world doing real fish things . Both the glass bottom boat and underwater observatory came highly recommended and I ’ m glad they were . It ’ s another simple reminder that we live on a tropical island where there are opportunities to do things that are not available everywhere else .
Cape Manzamo
This is another popular spot for both local and foreign tourists alike . Situated just outside Onna Village , Cape Manzamo offers spectacular sunset views . The literal translation of its name is ‘ a field for 10,000 people to sit ’ and after you ’ ve been to Cape Manzamo , that makes sense . It ’ s said that Cape Manzamo received its name in the 18th century during from the Ryukyuan King Sho Kei . Can ’ t you just imagine thousands of people sitting , enjoying a beautiful , Okinawan sunset over the East China Sea ? It is also distinct due to it ’ s unique , almost handlelike form that looks as though long ago someone tried to pull the rocks from where they stood instead leaving behind a hole in the massive stone .
These are only a few of the opportunities available through Kadena FSS and they ’ d all be fantastic additions to a visitor ’ s itinerary . They ’ re locations that you can visit time and time again , noticing and learning new things with each trip . Okinawa is rich in history and culture and it ’ s important we share that with friends and family to give them a better understanding of this amazing island .
VENTURE 19