Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [597]
In addition, there are two minimarkets in the centre of Chabana.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Yoron-tō has direct flights to/from Kagoshima (JAC; ¥28,400, one hour 20 minutes, one daily), Okinoerabu-shima (JAC; ¥9200, 40 minutes, one daily, with connections onward to Amami-Ōshima) and Naha (RAC; ¥13,000, 40 minutes, one daily).
Yoron-tō is served by Maruei/A Line ferries, which run between Kagoshima (some originating in Honshu) and Naha, and Amami Kaiun ferries, which run between Kagoshima and Okinoerabu-shima. See the Amami-Ōshima section Click here for details.
Yoron-tō has a bus system, but you’ll definitely appreciate the convenience of a car, scooter or touring bicycle. Yoron-tō Kankō Rentacar (;97-5075), located in Chabana, will meet car-rental clients at the airport.
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OKINAWA-KEN
pop 1.35 million
Japan’s southernmost prefecture, Okinawa-ken, makes up the southern half of the Southwest Islands. The prefecture stretches from the southern islands in Kagoshima-ken to within 110km of Taiwan. Three island groups make up the prefecture: Okinawa-shotō, Miyako-shotō and Yaeyama-shotō.
The northernmost island group is Okinawa-shotō, which contains Okinawa-hontō (meaning ‘Okinawa Main Island’ in Japanese). The largest island in the chain, Okinawa-hontō is home to the prefectural capital, Naha. This bustling city is Okinawa-ken’s transport hub, and is easily accessed by flights and ferries to/from the mainland. Plentiful ferries run between Naha and Kerama-shotō, which lie about 30km west of Okinawa-hontō. The Kerama islands offer excellent beaches and brilliantly clear water.
Located 300km southwest of Okinawa-hontō, the middle group of islands in Okinawa-ken is Miyako-shotō, which is home to the popular beach destination of Miyako-jima. There is no ferry access to this group; you must arrive via flights from the mainland, Naha or Ishigaki.
The southernmost island group is Yaeyama-shotō, a further 100km southwest. This island group includes the coral-fringed island of Ishigaki and the nearby jungle-clad Iriomote-jima. Like Miyako-shotō, there are no ferries to this group; only flights from the mainland, Naha or Miyako-jima.
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OKINAWA-HONTŌ
098
Okinawa-hontō is the largest island in the Southwest Islands, and the historical seat of power of the Ryūkyū dynasty. Although its cultural differences with mainland Japan were once evident in its architecture, almost all traces were completely obliterated in WWII. Fortunately, Allied bombing wasn’t powerful enough to completely stamp out other remnants of Okinawan culture, and today the island is home to a unique culinary, artistic and musical tradition.
Okinawa-hontō is a place where cultures collide: Ryūkyū, Japanese, American, Chinese and a growing number of Korean, Taiwanese and Hong Kong tourists. It is a place of delicious contrasts and juxtapositions, and the better you know Japan, the more you’ll find yourself wondering, Where the heck am I?
In addition, the island is home to some excellent beaches, delicious food and friendly people, many of whom speak a little more English than their mainland counterparts. Of course, with United States Air Force jets flying overhead from time to time, it’s hard to forget the reality of the continuing American military presence on the island and the history behind that presence (for more details, see the boxed text).
Okinawa-hontō is home to the prefectural capital and largest city, Naha, which serves as a transportation hub for the other islands in the prefecture. War memorials are clustered in the south of the island, while the central area is home to the military bases, a few historic ruins and some interesting cultural attractions. There are some good beaches and other attractions on the Motobu-hantō, while