Nago, Okinawa

Nago
名護市
Nagu
—  City  —

Flag
Location of Nago in Okinawa
Nago
 
Coordinates:
Country Japan
Region Kyūshū (Nansei)
Prefecture Okinawa
Government
 • Mayor Susumu Inamine
Area
 • Total 210.30 km2 (81.2 sq mi)
Population (January 2008)
 • Total 60,598
 • Density 288/km2 (745.9/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree Banyan
- Flower Easter lily
- Bird Ryukyu White-eye (Zosterops japonicus loochooensis)
- Flowering tree Kanhizakura (Prunus campanulata Prunus)
- Butterfly Orange Oakleaf
- Others Shell: Chiragra Spider Conch (Lambis chiragra)
Phone number 0980-53-1212
Address 1-1-1 Minato, Nago-shi, Okinawa-ken
905-8540
Website Nago City

Nago (名護市 Nago-shi?, Okinawan: Nagu) is a city located in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 60,598 and the density of 288 persons per km². The total area is 210.30 km². The city was founded on August 1, 1970, and hosted the G-8 Summit in 2000.

Contents

Tourism

Nago is a tourist town. The many beaches draw many Okinawans, mainland Japanese, Americans and other tourists to the northern part of the island. The main beach, known as Nago beach, is located on highway 58 in 21st Century Park. The facilities have showers, washrooms, and vending machines, and sites can be rented for picnics or barbecues. There is a lifeguard on duty and a net in the water to prevent harmful sea creatures from entering the swimming area.

A popular tourist destination is the Pineapple Park which is located on route 84. Right beside the Pineapple Park is Okinawa Fruits land. Pineapple park is an interactive museum where visitors can see how pineapple is grown, and how pineapple wine is made. There is also a collection of thousands of shells.

Okinawa Fruits Land is a conservatory with many plants, birds and fruits. A map is provided and tourists can wander through the park at they wish. There are many types of tropical birds.

The corals and seagrass beds of the east coast of Nago are home to the last remaining population of dugong in Japan.

Nago also hosts the international bicycle race known as the Tour de Okinawa. It is usually held in November. Many people travel from all over the world to participate.

Nago hosted the World's Fair in 1975 and 1976. The park utilized a monorail train to move tourists to each exhibit. Its most popular exhibit was the Japanese Floating City. Similar to an oil rig, the city floated on large pontoons which allowed it to be moved. If the city was threatened with a typhoon, it would move close to shore, fill the pontoons with sea water and sit on the ocean floor for more stability. The city was self sufficient, and used the ocean floor for cultivating seaweed and other edible plants.

Economy

Orion Breweries has its factory in Nago.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ "会社概要 - オリオンビール." Orion Breweries. Retrieved on November 30, 2009.

External links