Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. It comprises hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) long. The Ryukyus extend southwest from Kyushu (the southwesternmost of Japan's four main islands) to Taiwan. The Okinawa Prefecture encompasses the southern two thirds of that chain. Naha, Okinawa's capital, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island. In the prefecture lives the Japan's largest minority group - Ryukyuan people.
Although Okinawa comprises just 0.6% of Japan's total land mass, about 75% of all U.S. military installations stationed in Japan are assigned in Okinawa. Currently more than half of the 53,000 U.S. troops deployed in Japan are based in the prefecture.
The oldest evidence of human existence on the Ryukyu islands is from the Stone Age and was discovered in Naha and Yaese. Some human bone fragments from the Paleolithic era were unearthed, but there is no clear evidence of Paleolithic remains. Japanese Jōmon influences are dominant on the Okinawa Islands, although clay vessels on the Sakishima Islands have a commonality with those in Taiwan.
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日本、〒904-2143 沖縄県沖縄市知花２１４６ Map
Southeast Botanical Gardens is a privately-owned botanical garden in the center of Okinawa main island.
Set in approximately 100 acres around a number of pretty lakes, the gardens first opened in 1968 but were closed from 2010-2013 as the property came under new management.
Now visitors, especially those with children, can enjoy a variety of experiences, as well as the sub-tropical, theme-park setting.
The gardens are divided into two sections: the Water Park around the lakes and the Botanical Garden.
The Water Park section includes Baobab trees, lotus flowers, a grove of dragon blood trees and a rock garden. Visitors can feed the koi carp in the ponds and relax in a number of gazebos to admire the water and the Chinese-style ornamental bridges. The Restaurant Peace here serves Okinawan food with a tropical twist.
Highlights of the Botanical Garden include an avenue of tall Alexander palms, a herb and tropical fruit garden, more Baobabs and Giant Pothos plants.
The grounds are scattered with different animal petting zones where you can get up close and personal with goats, donkeys and squirrel monkeys.
You can see the park on a shuttle bus tour if you don't fancy the walk or take the walking/cart tour both accompanied by guides.
There are also a number of hands-on workshops aimed at kids including shisa coloring and cow art.
The gardens are illuminated each year from around the end of November to the end of February.
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