Okinawa is known as the "Island of song and dance" and is a well-known treasure house of the performing arts, including Ryukyu Dance, classical music, and Eisa, etc. This cultural background has given rise to today's young Okinawan musicians who are enjoying huge popularity throughout Japan. Okinawa is also home to a wide diversity of handicraft products including dyed fabrics such as Bingata, Bashofu, and Ryukyu Kasuri, as well as pottery and lacquer ware.

Karate is an art of self-defense that was developed on Okinawa and traces its origins to Chinese Kempo. Today, there are approximately 50 million Karate enthusiasts throughout the world.

Ryukyu Dance
Ryukyu Dance
Karate group practice
Karate group practice
Okinawan lacquer ware
Okinawan lacquer ware
A ceramic vase
A ceramic vase