Okinawa Pictures
Okinawa Japan photography group featuring unique pictures of Okinawa
Easter Lily and Many More Charms of Ie Island (I)
Just 30-minute ferry ride from Motobu Port in the North of Okinawa Main Island takes you to “Ie Island – Flower Island with Sunset and Romance”♪
I went about a month ago.
It was a day trip on March 17.
A new ferry “Ieshima,” which entered service just two days before, March 15,
is a bigger than the old one, with a capacity of 500 passengers.
It is a barrier-free facility with an elevator and a rolling prevention function.
This promises you a very comfortable ride!
The physically-challenged can also enjoy the ride feeling safe and easy.
Speaking of Ie Island, we cannot go without visiting Mt. Gusuku, which is also called “Iejima Tacchu.”
This is a rest area in the middle of the mountain.
You can get here by bus or car and start climbing to the top.
Souvenir shops are also available♪
In this picture, you can see a monument to commemorate the visit of
then-Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko (presently the Emperor and Empress) to Ie Island.
They stopped by here on the way to the closing ceremony of Ocean Expo on January 17, 1976.
Near the monument, there is a monument inscribed with Ryuka, a Ryukyuan poem.
Then-Crown Prince Akihito presented this Ryuka to Ie Islanders later on.
“Firugayuruhataki
Tachurugushikuyama
Chimunishinubaranu
Ikusayunukutu.”
According to Mr. Shuzen Hokama, President of Okinawa Culture Institute, he could interpret as follows:
“Fields stretch out before me shows a peaceful atmosphere as if nothing had happened here before
Towering Mt. Gusuku behind me stands quietly as if nothing had happened here before
I feel unbearably sad
When I think of such a horrible battle occurred in this place."
Ryuka is very difficult for people from mainland Japan, even for many Okinawan people,
because you have to use all Okinawan language to compose a Ryuka.
Then-Crown Prince Akihito took many years leaning by himself and wrote several Ryukas for
Okinawan people.
I am deeply touched by his great compassion for Okinawan people, who were horribly sacrificed
during the battle of Okinawa.
This is how you look up Mt. Gusuku from the starting point.
Ready? Let’s go up!
Just a 15-minute walk from here, you can reach the top, 172 m above sea level♪
Here we are at the top of Iejima Tacchu!
What a marvelous landscape!
The whole Ie Island, the whole Motobu peninsula, the surrounding islands..
This beautiful 360 panoramic view has been waiting for us♪
When you come to Ie Island, please experience this wonderful feeling!
This is Lily Field Park!
Now, “Ie Lily Festival” is held in this vast park of 86,000 ㎡,
where about 1 million Easter Lilies delight visitors’ eyes.
As for the blooming condition, please check the photos of the following link.
(Sorry! The site is written in Japanese.)
<http://lilyboo2009.ti-da.net/index_1.html> (Ie Lily Festival Official Blog)
According to a news program, the lilies are full bloom this week♪
When I visit the park on March 17, they just shot out buds.
The buds of Easter Lilies are also cute♪
During this Golden Week, Ie Island will be full of life and beauty.
Everybody, don’t miss it!
I will introduce some more charms of Ie Island. Please look forward to Part 2 the next week♪
Kumiko Teruya is a profesional Japanese / English Tour Guide in Okinawa Japan
North Okinawa Hotels & Accommodations |
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Location | Rating | Hotel Name |
Yomitan | ![]() |
Okinawa Zanpamisaki Royal Hotel |
Onna | ![]() |
Spa Resort Exes |
Onna | ![]() |
ANA INTERCONTINENTAL MANZA BEACH RESORT |
Onna | ![]() |
Renaissance Okinawa Resort |
Onna | ![]() |
Sunmarina Hotel |
Onna | ![]() |
Okinawa Kariyusi Beach Resort Ocean Spa |
Onna | ![]() |
Rizzan Sea-Park Hotel Tancha-Bay |
Onna | ![]() |
Hotel Moon Beach |
Nago | ![]() |
The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa |
Nago | ![]() |
Okinawa Marriott Resort & Spa |
Nago | ![]() |
Kanucha Bay And Villas |
Kunigami | ![]() |
JAL Private Resort Okuma |
Onna | ![]() |
Onna Marine View Palace |
Nago | ![]() |
Kise Beach Palace |
Kunigami | ![]() |
Live Max Amms Hotel CanNa Resort Villa |
Nago | ![]() |
Okinawa Sun Coast Hotel |
Nago | ![]() |
Hotel Mahaina Wellness Resort Okinawa |
Motobu | ![]() |
Chisun Resort Okinawa Chura-umi |
Nago | ![]() |
Hotel Route Inn Nago |
North Okinawa Tours |
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On this tour visit many of the North Okinawa’s famous sites like Churaumi Aquarium ( the world's third largest aquarium), Ryukyu Mura where you can experience living history, and many more exciting places. Lunch included. |
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On this tour visit many of the North Okinawa’s famous sites like Cape Manza, Churaumi Aquarium ( the world's third largest aquarium), Nakijin-jo Castle, Nago Pineapple Park. Lunch included. |
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Enjoy walking underwater through Okinawa's clear ocean by simply putting on a special helmet which draws air from the surface, you can breathe normally even while underwater and explore Okinawa's beautiful coral reefs. |
>> Details | |
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Enjoy all 3 of these thrilling marine sports out on the open water. |
>> Details |
South Okinawa Hotels & Accommodations |
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Location | Rating | Hotel Name |
Naha | ![]() |
The Naha Terrace |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel JAL City Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Okinawa Harborview Hotel Crowne Plaza |
Naha | ![]() |
Loisir Hotel Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Okinawa Miyako Hotel |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Sun Okinawa |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Nikko Naha Grandcastle |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Royal Orion |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Ocean Kokusai Dori |
Naha | ![]() |
Ryukyu Sunroyal Hotel |
Naha | ![]() |
Tokyo Dai-ichi Hotel Naha City Resort |
Naha | ![]() |
Okinawa Hotel |
Naha | ![]() |
Nest Hotel Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Pacific Hotel Okinawa |
Naha | ![]() |
Naha Central Hotel |
Naha | ![]() |
Okinawa Kariyushi Urban Resort Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Grand View Okinawa |
Naha | ![]() |
GRG Hotel Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Hokke Club Naha Shintoshin |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Palm Royal Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Route Inn Naha Tomariko |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Sun Coral |
Naha | ![]() |
Smile Hotel Okinawa Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Route Inn Grandia Naha |
Naha | ![]() |
Hotel Taira |
Miyako Islands Hotels & Resorts |
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Location | Rating | Hotel Name |
Miyako Is. | ![]() |
Hotel Atoll Emerald Miyakojima |
Miyako Is. | ![]() |
Miyakojima Tokyu Resort |
Miyako Is. | ![]() |
Hotel Breeze Bay Marina |
Miyako Is. | ![]() |
Shigira Bayside Suite ALLAMANDA |
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