By Philip Lee

OKINAWA, the main island in the Ryukyu chain lying about 2,000km south of Tokyo, is a fascinating destination which is distinct from the other Japanese holiday resorts.

This cluster of islands, covering about 1,000km in length, comprises 49 inhabited isles and many uninhabited ones. It has a history as colourful as its many natural features that have made this southernmost Japanese destination a tourist magnet.

Relics of its past, from being an independent ancient Ryukyu Kingdom to dominance by China and Japan, as well as to being the bloody arena during World War II, make this region unique.

No one visiting Naha, Okinawa's capital city, should miss its celebrated Eisa Dance Parade, which unfolds with great pomp and ceremony on the first Sunday of August.

The Eisa parade is a sight to behold - 10,000 colourfully costumed people, in orchestrated groups, dancing in the city's famous street, Kokusai Dori, to the thunderous beat of huge taiko drums as well as the smaller paranku, a percussion instrument preferred by the children who take part as well.

Add to this the surge of more than 120,000 spectators lining the 1.6km street and one can imagine the energy, sound and throb of the event.

Although this is Okinawa's biggest dance parade, there are smaller ones throughout the year.

The Eisa is a celebration steeped in ancient traditions to honour the dead. It has also evolved over the years with the younger participants preferring to add some rock and roll and pop music to it to lend this art form a modern edge.

Naha can be reached by a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Tokyo.

With so many islands, one can imagine the scenic spectacle that awaits the visitor, who can also enjoy the sandy beaches, warm seas and coral reefs as well as the creatures that thrive there, including the docile whale shark. This is a haven for snorkellers, divers and others who enjoy boating or wind surfing.

Visitors who are there in the first week of May can catch the Naha dragon boat races held in the sea fronting Naha Shinko Wharf at Aja Port.

Buy fresh seafood at the Makishi Market and dive into the deep to enjoy the marine life.

When spring arrives, Okinawa is the first area where the breathtaking cherry blossom (sakura) makes its appearance in pink or white. The blooms usually appear in January.

It will be remiss of the visitor not to go to some historical sites in this ancient land. Shuri Castle in Naha harks back to the Ryukyu Kingdom, whose monarchs are interred in mausoleums in the castle's park. The castle was destroyed by wars many times but has been restored to its ancient glory with many artefacts still preserved.

Older visitors who remember World War II might want to visit Mabuni Hill, which is next to cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Here, one can see many monuments built to commemorate the soldiers who died in the war.

The cliffs are also known as Suicide Cliff, a reference to the many Japanese, both soldiers and civilians, who jumped to their deaths to avoid capture by American forces.

There are also the bullfighting shows at various venues in Okinawa in summer. This one pits bull against bull, unlike the Spanish version.

Whether it be sightseeing, shopping or dining, the Okinawa prefecture offers a whole variety not just in bustling Naha but also on the numerous outer islands.

In Naha, visit the Urashima Dinner Theatre to experience traditional culture and local cuisine. Here, the visitor dines while watching women in period costumes perform ancient dances.

To savour fresh Japanese seafood, go to Makishi Market in the city, select your favourite fish or meat and have it cooked immediately and served in a diner upstairs.

For the night owls, there are bars and pubs everywhere, and live music is featured in some bars and restaurants.

And the visitor is bound to hear this greeting wherever he goes: "Irasshaimase!" or "Welcome!"

This page is sponsored by Japan National Tourism Organization (www.jnto.org.sg).

This article was first published in The Straits Times Special. It is produced by the Special Projects Unit, Marketing Division, SPH.