[Sightseeing in Okinawa] History grown up in the interaction of Asian countries - OkinawaHotel reservationOTS

Okinawa is located between islands of Japan and Asian continent. It is considered that in ancient times there was a connection with a main land.
In such a history, even being part of Japan Okinawa received a lot of influence from overseas. Though hunting and gathering were the main activities in Okinawa for a long time until Heian era (10th century), from the 15th century different islands united in a blooming Ryukyu Kingdom.
Ryukyu Kingdom traded with China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries and greatly developed into maritime nation. In Edo era (the beginning of the 18th century), even Okinawa was put under control of Satsuma clan and Tokugawa Shogunate, overseas trade with peripheral countries continued and because of this unique culture was formed. In Meiji era Okinawa was included into Japan territory as a prefecture, but after the war fell under control of American government and step into complicated period of history. And at the present time U.S. military bases, world heritage spots and many of historical objects are located in the place where among everyday people live complicated and reach history lives.
(The information is taken from Okinawa Sightseeing web site "Okinawa monogatari")