Unlike the rest of Japan that I've visited in the past, large crowds and city life don't associate with Okinawa. Instead, this is a tropical paradise where visitors come to enjoy nature and have a great time.
The Ryukyu Kingdom became part of Japan in 1879, with Naha becoming the capital. The Japanese have long visited here for its resorts and diving. It has a love-hate relationship with the Americans, who have military presence here but not always welcomed. International tourists haven't really found out about these islands yet.
Naha is the main port of entry to Okinawa's many islands, but usually is not the final destination. Grab a rental car and head out to explore, and I stumbled across a few surprises.