Okinawa- March 18-20, 2000

Welcome to sunny Okinawa! Driving through the drenched streets of Nago in the central part of Okinawa.	The Benzaiten-do Temple near the Shuri-jo Temple (outside Naha).	Konkai-mon Gate at the entrance to Shuri Castle. The original castle, along with most everything else on Okinawa, was destroyed in the war. It was only opened in 1993, and renovation (the construction zone in the background greets you as go through the gate) is ongoing.	Well, it is the Japanese "Deep South" after all. On the way to the Japanese Naval Headquarters.
Looking down on southern Okinawa Island from the Japanese Naval Headquarters. Unfortunately, no pictures allowed inside. This maze of tunnels was dug out with shovels and pick-axes as a final refuge by the Japanese Navy as the Americans approached near the end of World War II. Sadly, 4000 Japanese soldiers commited suicide here.  Visible inside are holes created by grenade blasts that killed many of the men, and the commander's final words carved into the wall of his room.	Mabuni-no-Oka (Mabuni Hill) Names etched on these stones note the deaths from 1945 onwards of those who fought in the Battle of Okinawa, organized by nationality and year of death. All names are stored in a database visitors can query at the site in Japanese, Korean, English or Chinese.   The site resides on a cliff overlooking the sea	Japan's Finest. If you cannot speak Japanese, you might as well speak to him.	Himeyuri-no-to, where 200 schoolgirls and their teachers commited suicide rather than face capture by the Americans.
Full moon over Naha. The crazies were sure to be out.	The night scene along busy Kokusai Dori in central Naha. Prolonged American military presence on Okinawa has certainly left its mark.	We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.... or are we? One of the hotspots of downtown Naha.	Arnold Schwarzenegger sighting at Heiwa Dori shopping arcade. What ya selling Arnold?
The lively food market at the Heiwa Dori arcade.	Hawaii? Thailand? The Carribean? Nope, it's tropical Japan, looking out on the East China Sea!	Making new friends on the beach. No language barrier this time!	Breathtaking view of Motobu Hanto and the East China Sea beyond from the walls of Nakijin Castle.
Hedo Misaki (cape) at the northern tip of Okinawa. The sign reads, "May peace prevail on earth."	Counting the cars on the Okinawa Expressway we're all off to look for Japan....