View Full Version : Is Okinawa Beautiful?
TheNoNamedOne
05-31-2007, 08:53 PM
In general, no.
From Naha to Kadena on the west coast, from Haebaru to Ishikawa on the east coast, it is virtually one contiguous concrete landscape. There is no urban canopy of trees that line the streets in any real numbers offering shade and cooling temperatures to its citizens, or trees inviting birds to live amongst the populace. It is a barren wasteland of cement, glass, and a spiderweb of overhanging wires and cables. The citizens' closest link to nature is in their haiku poetry -- that for the most part has become a forgotten part of their culture.
The natural coasts have for a better word all but dissappeared with sea walls (but the grafiti painted on them with the occassional expletive are interesting to look at) and man made beaches with white sand imported from the Philipines, Taiwan, or Guam.
The coral is bleaching, and the North, holding Okinawa's last bastion of old forested semi tropical areas, are due to be developed with subsidies provided from the relocation of Futenma to Henoko.
If you want to find Okinawa's beauty, look for it on a post card, or go to an outlaying island. Mainland Okinawa is a concrete jungle lover's paradise.
bokuwa
05-31-2007, 08:57 PM
:eek:The Bronx New York is beautiful to some people. It has a lot of concrete and lots of streets without trees. It also has a world class zoo and beaches and tree lined streets as well. People looking for something to do usually can find something to do. People looking for beauty will usually find it anywhere they go. Go to the owner of a brownstone in the Bronx and tell them that their little patch of garden, 10 x 15 feet, is crap surrounded by a ugly concrete jungle and see what sort of reaction you will get. Or that the little park down the street with only a few trees and a swing is shit, see what reaction you get. They are most likely similar to all people when confronted with statements that what they have is nothing worth anything to look at.
I'll probably get a lot of heat for agreeing with this post, but more or less I agree with it 100%.
One thing that has always annoyed me to no end about Okinawa is that rather than preserving their nature, they blow any surplus money at the end of the year throwing concrete around.
And this has had some devastating results. A few years back I did a story up in Yomitan about how builders threw up a sea wall on some sea turtle nesting grounds without thinking of the consequences. This is just one example. We don't need any more concrete.
I've also got to say that from what I've seen, a lot of communities on Okinawa either don't care about improving their situation or are simply powerless. I'm not sure which it is. But I have to say that Ginowan City on 58 is not beautiful. In fact, it's butt ugly. With all the run down bars and businesses that look like they should have gone out of business years ago, that whole area is an eye-sore to look at on my drive to work.
A few months ago, a couple run down shops were torn to the ground and I was excited for the town for the first time in years. I thought, "Hey cool. Maybe now they'll build something to make the town more appealing and perhaps help improve the community or push their business. Maybe a large parking garage to remedy the problem of cars clogging up the entire left lane by parking on 58, or a cool shopping outlet."
What do they build? What pops up a month later at lightning speed? A pachinko parlor. Wow what a shocker?
I think Okinawa does have it's beaty. As much as the Okinawans seem to be forgetting their own culture, I for one enjoy finding the beauty in it whenever I have a chance to research it. I also think a lot of the ryukyuan sites are beautiful. I think Chinen Castle is probably one of the most serene spots on island. And I wish so bad I could live up north in the jungles for a few weeks away from anything even remotely like the Middle/Southern end of Okinawa.
There is one thing that is beautiful about ALL of Okinawa though. The sky. No where else I've ever been, aside from Hawaii, has a sky that matches Okinawa's in the summertime for me.
Most of the rest of the island has lost it's physical beauty for me. Everything is square and made of concrete. Where's the joy in that. Learn a little creativity and learn to take pride in your own home and culture!
In my opinion, although a large part of Okinawa's income comes from tourism, I really doubt most Okinawans care at all about tourism. If they did, they'd be taking pointers from several other tourist hotspots rather than just turning one secluded area of Okinawa into a tourism hotspot and ignoring the rest. No one is to blame but themself for the condition Okinawa is in. They have every bit as much power as they need to fix this.
Bones
06-01-2007, 11:18 AM
I'll have to agree with you on your response, Dk. When I first set foot on the island, back in 75 (yeah, I know...), there was a lot more vegetation.
On the other hand, we couldn't leave the base without being assaulted by a hawker, proclaiming "Beautiful Girl Inside", and some of the seedier things have gradually disappeared over the years. I remember looking out of the window of the Tiki, on Kadena Air Base, and all I saw was trees.
The last time we left the island, concrete trucks everywhere.
The treasure is in the people.
NBTP
Boost
06-01-2007, 12:20 PM
Okinawa has lost a lot of it's beauty with the surplus of concrete surrounding and contained within, but at least the beauty of the ocean is always close at hand. And there are spots you can retreat too that still hold some scenic value if you know how or have the motivation to find them.
The northern part of Okinawa will probably always hold it's beauty with me. I doubt they'll ever have enough concrete and bulldozers to destory the northern end of Okinawa. Nor the need.
If I had my own private helicopter I'd be making trips up there all the time. So many secluded spots, and some of them seem inaccessible with a car. I remember doing a fly-over in one of those small single/double (I forgot) propeller planes a few years ago and being amazed at some of the hidden beaches. Problem is, apparently, you'd have to scale some giant cliffs just to get to them.
Boost
06-01-2007, 12:37 PM
Up north was definitely our favorite area as well. Another beautiful area is below the water for those who aren't afraid to try scuba diving. Really wish I had gotten more dives in under my belt before leaving...hmm perhaps some incentive to try and get back in a civilian position! :) Could never get my better half to learn though, something about a deep down fear of drowning or something...
The diving is really nice. I got my license when I was 16 years old. However, I've had ear problems since I was a kid, and after I got my license about half of my dives got cancelled from me being unable to clear my ears so I don't do that very often anymore.
I remember it being a thrilling experience though.
Boost
06-01-2007, 12:43 PM
That sucks about the ears, but I do understand. Only had troubles a couple of times luckily. My problem was that shortly after being certified I got a part time job working the scuba locker at the Kadena Marina. So rather then diving on the weekends I checked gear out to other people who were diving on the weekends. :cool:
P_chan
06-01-2007, 06:32 PM
I do believe the locals love concrete. I took my wife's parents on base and they were amazed about how much open space and trees there are. I believe that boost summed up my feelings on the subject in his first post.
bokuwa
06-02-2007, 07:35 AM
Driving around yesterday, I was thinking about the concerte thing, All Over, well yesterday looking around I saw almost everywhere was military fencing mostly with concrete posts. That is part of the concrete thinking, right?
P_chan
06-02-2007, 10:37 AM
Driving around yesterday, I was thinking about the concerte thing, All Over, well yesterday looking around I saw almost everywhere was military fencing mostly with concrete posts. That is part of the concrete thinking, right?
I think that is a little different. They have to have a concrete fence. After all you can't keep people out if the fence can be knock down easily. :)
I'd have to say I love green open space but I don't mind the concrete buildings. I believe that one reason they build their houses so ugly here is so they can stand up to typhoons. I think people along the gulf in the states should do the same, might be a smart thing to do.
I think that is a little different. They have to have a concrete fence. After all you can't keep people out if the fence can be knock down easily. :)
I'd have to say I love green open space but I don't mind the concrete buildings. I believe that one reason they build their houses so ugly here is so they can stand up to typhoons. I think people along the gulf in the states should do the same, might be a smart thing to do.
Contrary to popular belief, it actually is possible to make something attractive using concrete. :rolleyes:
I really wish the Okinawans would try to preserve some essence of cultural pride by trying to build some sort of hybrid houses with a look between the old tiled roofs and the new flat ugly nasty gross houses.
TheNoNamedOne
06-02-2007, 12:05 PM
Contrary to popular belief, it actually is possible to make something attractive using concrete.
Indeed.
I really wish the Okinawans would try to preserve some essence of cultural pride by trying to build some sort of hybrid houses with a look between the old tiled roofs and the new flat ugly nasty gross houses.
The traditional tiled roofs of Okinawan houses are just beautiful to look at. Quite elegant in their simplicity. However, when young couples have taken a substantial loan to build their home, the architect lays it on the line as to what the costs of different styles of the house will be. Flat roof just means less money and less time under the boot of the bank loan. That could be scary when you have a kid to support. Aethsetics gives way to fear. Flat roof it is.
If retaining culture is important to the local government, then perhaps they could offer tax discounts to new home owners who build with a distinctive cultural flair for tradition. On Tokashima in the Yaeyama Island Group, it is forbiden for residents to build anything other than the traditional style, and all repairs and maintenance must keep cultural architecture in mind in order to preserve that heritage.
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btw, when I post this, I hope the quote is not defaulted to automatically become itallicised. Previously it was not, but looking at recent posts with quotes, it looks like that has happened. Possible to reverse that?
bokuwa
06-02-2007, 12:45 PM
Just appears to be a lot of military fencing adding to the spoiled beauty of the island.
The roofs all over Japan, tiled, are giving way to western style for cost savings and the idea that any thing American must be worth having.
In Toyohashi on the mainland, there is a entire community built that looks like you were in the suburbs of some American town.
Tempestuous
06-02-2007, 02:11 PM
There is one thing that is beautiful about ALL of Okinawa though. The sky. No where else I've ever been, aside from Hawaii, has a sky that matches Okinawa's in the summertime for me.
.
One thing that amazed me about the sky was the lack of stars. In comparison to where we were from there was hardly ANY stars to gaze at. Just felt like you were stuck in some black painted box.
I think the sun rise near the water in Northern Oki was magnificent!
Yeah, that's true temp. You have to drive pretty far away from anything to see any stars here... There are a few spots I've been to on Okinawa that are great for stargazing though.
Boost
06-02-2007, 02:48 PM
I know the flat roofs are quite ugly, but they were great to go up on and have a beer and look out over the city or at the ocean if you live close enough to see it. But that was about it.
I know the flat roofs are quite ugly, but they were great to go up on and have a beer and look out over the city or at the ocean if you live close enough to see it. But that was about it.
They're great for sniping while playing bb-gun wars when you're a kid too. I used to love that about those roofs when I was 12 or so.
Tempestuous
06-02-2007, 03:20 PM
When you don't have a yard it makes a great place for kids to ride trikes, fly kites, draw sidewalk chalk.
Good for additional space for get togethers....though they do tend to encourage pissing contests.
Boost
06-02-2007, 03:24 PM
though they do tend to encourage pissing contests.
That only happened once, and I felt really bad about it the following day!!!
You pissed off your roof?! hahahahaha.
Boost
06-02-2007, 03:37 PM
You pissed off your roof?! hahahahaha.
Umm, weeelll, lets just say the neighbor and I perhaps had, had a few beers and had perhaps initiated a challenge that went very wrong from there.
P_chan
06-03-2007, 10:07 AM
Ha I need to pee of my balcony someday. My neighbors are very rude and they always park in my spot, even though I tell them every time not to. If I peed of my balcony I would be peeing on all of their cars.:D
dk: Yeah I've seen some nice concrete houses but not many. Though I a lot of them are ugly on the outside, but beautiful on the inside.
socalheart
06-18-2007, 10:57 PM
I first lived on Okinawa in 1976 near MCB Butler. A lot has changed in the cities since then.
We were driving on the Takahara road to Kadena the other day, and noticed how beautiful the city street was lined with trees. It was an Okinawa version of New England avenues... for about half a klick. Then the street opens up to the new shopping center at "Goya 4 corners". It's actually an aesthetically pleasing building, but a few trees and flower gardens would be nice on the corners as well.
Where there is a city, it's understandable to have concrete and urban structures. I also understand that cities expand. I just think there should be parks and gardens in the cities in someplace other than the highway dividers, which block my line of sight while driving.
TheNoNamedOne
06-19-2007, 12:50 AM
We were driving on the Takahara road to Kadena the other day, and noticed how beautiful the city street was lined with trees. It was an Okinawa version of New England avenues... for about half a klick. Then the street opens up to the new shopping center at "Goya 4 corners". It's actually an aesthetically pleasing building, but a few trees and flower gardens would be nice on the corners as well.
I have to say, socalheart, that that tree-lined street you are referring to is one of the most beautiful big city streets in Okinawa there is. I am just baffled as to why city governments don't look at that as a model as to how other streets can be here. Just beautiful!
I'll have something more to say about this particular street later (perhaps a separate thread).
bokuwa
06-20-2007, 07:36 AM
Have you ever been to Chicago? There are a lot of pretty streets and just as many ugly streets. I have been to a few big cities and small and found it pretty much the same everywhere.
I would like everything in the world to be pretty, even people, but I usually see not so pretty things along with the pretty and enjoy it all as I go down the path of life.
Go down a ugly street and then pick a side street for a turn, if you picked a pretty street as a turn enjoy it and be happy!!
Asshat
06-25-2007, 10:17 AM
Years ago, we used to drive up 58 and stop just about anywhere and camp on the beach. That is no longer possible. I have seen handwritten signs admonishing uchananchu to stop selling land to naicha. I don't know what impact the northward military migration will have on the northern end. Hansen is to northern most planned basing area-which should reduce the impact on Schwab...and Futenma is going to be what? Another freeport zone? As Foster shrinks, both sides of 58 can not sport pachinko, gas stands, a few more Lawsons.
Flat roofs didn't come into popularity with any American design, but because home owners got tired of paying extra for tile, and having to replace them after typhoons. The seawalls are here because some people got tired of having to evacuate their homes during typhoons. And before concrete, it was corrugated tin. Okinawa is quickly leaping into her new role as a tourist and retirement haven. No one seems to be able or has the desire to stop it.
InDuhUSA
06-27-2007, 04:55 AM
When I was there my in-laws used to like to drive us all over the place on weekends. It was great. I probably would not have seen no where near as much of Okinawa as I saw if it were not for them insisting on us going somewhere during those weekends. Okinawa for the most part is a beautiful island, especially in places where Americans haven't gone to destroy it (and other Okinawans too :D)
Monstersmama
06-27-2007, 08:34 AM
I was in Okinawa in 95. My step dad was there even earlier than the gentleman who was there in '75 (egads...that was the year I was born!). He remembers when 58 was a dirt road!!! He remembers when most of the island was like the jungles up the northern area of Okinawa...and he and his cohorts often took advantage of the disadvantage the Okinawans were at at that time in history (he's 75 years old...so that should give you a good idea of when he was there). All things change over time my friends...and I'm sure that the modern mainland Japanese influence over traditional Ryukyun culture has been a driving factor in all of the concrete "architecture" in Okinawa now.
Jenna
Talindra
07-12-2007, 01:47 PM
Oh yes. I am bumping this thread.
heres a conversation i'm having with DK and made me laugh.
DK>we have a bigass typhoon coming our way
me> ish be safe!!!!!!!!
DK>means i have tomorrow off work lol
me> lol...
(Dk shows me a pic of the typhoon)
me> oh shitty
me> thats like a hurricain ain't it?
DK> hehe i love it
DK> yeah
DK> i love typhoons
me> Why?
DK> we're smart. we make concrete buildings
DK> we're not like those florida people
me> and you were bitching about all that concrete
DK> lolol
DK> i don't bitch during typhoons hahhaah
Well then... there you go! might be ugly and Okinawa might be losing some of its beauty... but you wont be complaining in a couple of days now wont cha? hehe...
Be safe everyone!!!! don't poke your heads out the window :P
Talindra
07-12-2007, 01:51 PM
lol PWND i say!!!
Ok, you got me this time.
Asshat
07-12-2007, 02:20 PM
lol PWND i say!!!
You are so right!
ShoHashi
07-14-2007, 05:22 AM
Originally posted by TheProsecutor:
From Naha to Kadena on the west coast, from Haebaru to Ishikawa on the east coast, it is virtually one contiguous concrete landscape. There is no urban canopy of trees that line the streets in any real numbers offering shade and cooling temperatures to its citizens, or trees inviting birds to live amongst the populace. It is a barren wasteland of cement, glass, and a spiderweb of overhanging wires and cables.
Man, I sure have to agree with that statement! January of this year was the first I was on Okinawa since I had left in 1988. The southern part sure became quite built up. Even in the north, I noticed that Nago had ballooned in size from the way I remembered it. Unbelievable!
-Sho
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