Island Language Day

Known as the “Hawaii of Japan”, Okinawa has amazing star-gazing, diving, a unique cuisine and yes, cherry blossoms too.

The Okinawan language or Central Okinawan, is a Northern Ryukyuan language spoken primarily in the southern half of the island of Okinawa, as well as in the surrounding islands of Kerama, Kumejima, Tonaki, Aguni and a number of smaller peripheral islands.

Even within the language, there are several dialects spoken within the southern half of Okinawa Island. Such differences exist for all the six different languages — including forms spoken on Amami-Oshima, Yaeyama, Miyako and other islands in the southwest — designated as endangered by UNESCO.