Okinawa & Japan's Southern Islands

Jo Davey is a freelance writer, photographer and former chef who fell in love with Japan aged 17 and hasn't stopped exploring it since. On her first trip to its Southwest Islands, she realised she was somewhere special while fishing for squid and watching shooting stars on Geruma, a tiny island. Later she found herself singing at a local restaurant, accompanied by a friend and the chef on guitars. This was when she understood that, on these islands, you aren't just another tourist. Once the day-trippers disappear, a rare local world opens up. What Davey particularly loves the diversity of this delightfully remote archipelago. Here she can indulge her every interest: food, diving, hiking, nature, culture, language or history. Her ideal day on Japan's Southwest Islands would involve trekking in Iriomote's warm jungles or Yakushima's ancient forests of Yakushima before evening of world-famous cuisine in the company of welcoming locals.

• Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography and geology, Climate, Natural history and conservation, Archaeology, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture, Sports and activities Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators and tourist information, Red tape, Embassies and consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Opening hours, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively PART TWO THE ISLANDS Chapter 3 The Osumi Islands Yakushima, Tanegashima, Kuchinoerabujima, The Mishima Chapter 4 The Amami Islands History, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima and Yoroshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Yoronto Chapter 5 The Okinawa Islands Okinawa-honto, Iejima, Izenajima, Iheyajima, Agunijima, Tonakijima, Kumejima Chapter 6 The Kerama Islands History, Tokashikijima, Zamamijima, Akajima, Gerumajima Chapter 7 The Miyako Islands History, Miyakojima, Ogamijima, Ikemajima, Kurimajima, Irabujima and Shimojijima, Taramajima Chapter 8 The Yaeyama Islands History, Ishigakijima, Taketomijima, Kohamajima, Kuroshima, Iriomotejima, Haterumajima, Yonagunijima PART THREE GATEWAY CITIES Chapter 9 Gateway Cities Tokyo, Kagoshima Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Glossary Appendix 3 Further Information Index

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