Ginowan, Coastal municipality on western Okinawa Island, Japan
Ginowan is a coastal municipality on the western shore of Okinawa Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The town runs along the East China Sea with limestone terraces shaping the relief.
The municipality gained official status in 1962, after holding village rank before. Following the Second World War, large sections were separated for American military bases, shaping the settlement pattern to this day.
The municipal museum preserves traces of earlier centuries through everyday objects, including turtleback tombs that honor ancestors. Visitors also see tools and clothing that show island life before modern times.
National Routes 58 and 330 cross the town and link the coast with other island locations. The Okinawa Expressway runs along the eastern edge, offering faster connections north and south.
Despite urban growth, taimo taro fields are still farmed here, providing tubers for local dishes. These plots recall the agricultural past and supply restaurants and markets with fresh produce.
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