Group of islands located in Japan sea off Shimana prefecture. Isolated but situated near ancient capital, Kyoto, it was a preferred place to send political prisoners. Emperor Godaigo who overthrew Kamakura shogunat is the most famous person, sent there. Because of Tsushima current, the climate is mild. With Mt. Daisen, it belongs to Oki Daisen national park.
Okinawa prefecture occupies small islands between Kyushu and Taiwan.
Its surface is 2,254 km2 and the population 1.1 million. The prefectural office is at Naha City. After WWII Okinawa was under US administration until 1972. The region is poor and the people are working for military bases and tourism. Okinawa attracts now not only tourists from Japanese mainland but from Taiwan and Korea.