The 11th World Ikebana International - Okinawa Convention Center

Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan, consisting of many islands. Before Japan annexed the Okinawa islands in 1879, it was an island nation, a kingdom called Ryukyu Kingdom with its palace structure very similar to China. Ryukyu kingdom paid tribute to China for several hundred years until Japan's annexation. The island endured the most severe fighting during WWII, before US invaded Japan.
My husband and I took a short trip to Taiwan after the convention to visit our relatives and friends. The trip from Okinawa to Taiwan only took an hour and half, which is much closer than Tokyo to Taiwan.

Convention Center site at the Ginowan Harbour.

Ginowan Harbor with small park

Fishing boats in harbor

Small park in harbor viewed from hotel balcony

Harbor viewed from hotel room