Yaese, Town in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Yaese is a town in Shimajiri District in southern Okinawa Prefecture, cut through by four rivers that shape its landscape. Mount Yaese rises at the center of the municipality and serves as a natural landmark for the area.
The town was formed on January 1, 2006, when Kochinda town and Gushikami village merged administratively into a single municipality. This merger combined two communities with different historical roots into one.
The Tomori Shīsā, one of the oldest preserved stone guardian lion statues in Okinawa Prefecture, stands in Yaese as a designated Cultural Property. The statue reflects the local tradition of stone craftsmanship that has been part of the region for generations.
The town is accessible by public transportation that connects to larger centers in the surrounding area. Visitors should focus on the paths and parks that surround the natural rivers throughout the town.
The four rivers of the town—Nagadō-gawa, Noha-gawa, Yūhi-gawa, and Mukue-gawa—are all classified as second-category waterways in Japan. This classification means they play an important role in local water management and landscape care.
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