Okinawa, Okinawa

Okinawa 沖縄市 Uchinaa
—  City  —
Flag
Location of Okinawa in Okinawa
Okinawa
Coordinates: 26°20′3″N 127°48′20″E / 26.33417°N 127.80556°E / 26.33417; 127.80556Coordinates: 26°20′3″N 127°48′20″E / 26.33417°N 127.80556°E / 26.33417; 127.80556
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū (Ryukyu)
Prefecture	Okinawa
Government
- Mayor	Kita Kurose
Area
- Total	49.00 km2 (18.9 sq mi)
Population (January 2008)
- Total	128,421
- Density	2,620/km2 (6,785.8/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis)
- Flower	Hibiscus
Phone number	098-939-1212
Address	26-1 Nakasonechō, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken 904-8501
Website	Okinawa City

Okinawa City Hall

Okinawa (沖縄市, Okinawa-shi^?, Okinawan: Uchinaa) is the second-largest city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, following Naha, the capital city. It is located in the central part of the island of Okinawa, about 20 km north of Naha.

As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 128,421 and a density of 2,620 persons per km². The total area is 49.00 km².

History

In 1908, Okinawa Prefecture established the villages of Goeku and Misato. During the occupation of Japan, the U.S. military government established the city of Koza in Goeku. Misato merged into a neighboring community, and in 1946, again became separate, as did Goeku. On June 13, 1956, Goeku changed its name to the village of Koza; on July 1 of the same year it became a city.

The city of Okinawa was founded on April 1, 1974 with the merger of Koza and Misato.

Geography

The commercial center of the city lies along Route 330. It extends from Goya Crossing to Koza Crossing. The district extending from Goya to the gate of Kadena Air Base, and Chūō Park Avenue, has many visitors from the U.S. military, and many shops have signs in both Japanese and English. However, the development of large shopping centers in nearby communities has resulted in some decline in these areas.

A park in the southeastern portion of the city was the site of a National Sports Festival of Japan. Other city facilities include a baseball stadium where the Hiroshima Toyo Carp hold their spring training.

Kadena Air Base and neighboring military facilities lie on the boundaries with town of Kadena and the village of Onna. Okinawa also has boundaries with Uruma, Chatan, and Kitanakagusuku.

Education

The city operates 15 elementary schools and eight middle schools. There is also a private elementary school. The five high schools are operated by Okinawa Prefecture.

Transportation

The Okinawa Expressway has two interchanges in the city. They are Okinawa North Number 5 and Okinawa South Number 4.

The national highways passing through the city are Routes 329 and 330.

Ryūkyū, Okinawa, and Tōyō buses operate on some 26 routes in Okinawa.

Military

The United States has six facilities located at least partially in the city of Okinawa. These are Kadena Air Base, Kadena Ammunition Storage Area, Camp Shields, Camp Zukeran, Awase Communication Station, and an Army POL depot. Also, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces operate an anti-aircraft training facility.

Notables

Notable people with links to the city of Okinawa include

• Gackt Camui, music artist, formerly from Malice Mizer
• Kenji Haga, singer
• Issa from hip-hop group Da Pump
• Orange Range, band
• Shōkichi Kina, rock musician with Champloose
• Yu Yamada, model-actress
• High and Mighty Color, J-rock, band

Points of interest

• Southeast Botanical Gardens

Sister city

Okinawa, Japan has the following sister cities, according to Sister Cities International and the city of Okinawa:

• Lakewood, Washington, United States of America

External links

• (Japanese) Okinawa City official
• (English) Okinawa City official website
• (Portuguese) Okinawa Web Radio(BRAZIL)
• (English) Okinawa Travel Okinawa HDR Photography, Travel Guide, and more by the Okinawa Living Magazine art director