Tonaki, village in Shimajiri district, Okinawa prefecture, Japan
Tonaki is a village on a small island in Okinawa Prefecture, located about 58 kilometers west of the main island. The village is home to only a few hundred people and features simple single-story houses with red tile roofs arranged along narrow, sand-covered streets.
The village has been part of the Okinawa region for many generations and has preserved its traditional structure over time. During World War II and in the decades after, most islands underwent extensive rebuilding, but Tonaki retained its original buildings and simple streets with characteristic red tile roofs.
The name Tonaki comes from the local language and refers to the island's position. Villagers maintain traditions visible in everyday life: children sweep sandy streets together each morning in a ritual passed down for over 90 years, and the community gathers for seasonal festivals that bind neighbors together.
The village is small enough to walk, though midday heat can be challenging, so exploring in early morning or evening works better. Bicycles and cars are available for rent to cover more ground and discover various areas of the island.
At night, 800 meters of village paths are lit by small footlights that turn on at dusk and provide just enough light for safe walking. This lighting creates a cozy feeling without spoiling the night sky, making evening walks and stargazing possible in the darkness.
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