花 (In Bloom)
It's about that time of year in Okinawa when the long dormant cherry blossoms awaken from their deep sleep and greet people with, "It's me, bitches!" Last year we traveled up to Nago to partake in their Sakura Matsuri. This year we linked up with our downstairs neighbors (Erika and Tetsuhisa) and one set of their grandparents for a trip to Nakijin Castle. Nakijin Castle, located in Nakijin village just north of Nago, is where the cherry blossoms tend to pop up first before they appear everywhere else on the island.
Shuri Castle in Naha is most definitely beautiful and a great place to visit, but I'd argue that Nakijin Castle is even more interesting. Unlike Shuri, the place is still pretty much in ruins. There are some paths and castle walls remaining here and there, but the place is pretty damn wide open and spacious. This allows you to take in the view surrounding the castle, and what a view it is. The place was built on a rocky outcropping overlooking the South China Sea and is separated from the rest of the mountains by a steep drop into a gorge. Shuri's view overlooking Naha is nice, but it doesn't compare to gazing over the relatively unspoiled beauty that is northern Okinawa.
Pics to come sooner or later...probably later as I had to take them all on my cell phone and don't have a way of taking them off at the moment. Doh!