青と緑の躍動する村　　～恩納村～

Onna Village is situated on the west coast of the central region of mainland Okinawa and is situated with Nago City to the north, Ginoza Village, Kin Town, and Ishikawa City to the east, and Okinawa City and Yomitan Village to the south, respectively. The land area of the slender-shaped village is 50.72Km2, stretching 27.4 km from north to south and 4.2 km from east to west, and the part that adjoins Ishikawa City is the narrowest part of Okinawa east to west. Other than Kisenbaru in the mountains, 14 Aza (small municipality) are scattered along the coastline by Prefecture Road 6 and Route 58. The village overlooks the East China Sea on the west and a chain of mountains extends from north to south on the east, including Mt. Kanna, Mt. Oaya, Mt. Atta, Mt. Buto, Mt. Yaka, Mt. Ishikawa, Mt. Yomitan, and Mt. Onna at the center. There are some 40 brooks and creeks flowing from these mountains as well, blessing the village with nature's fruit.

Onna had always been a quiet, untroubled village subsisting on agriculture and fisheries, even after the war, until the turning point arrived in the form of Ocean Expo, held after Okinawa reverted back to Japan. The event gave the village an opportunity to showcase its magnificent coral reefs and the coastline -- valuable tourist attractions -- and many large resort hotels were built thereafter.

The subsistence agriculture and fisheries practices of the villagers are facing a tide of change as well. Farmers are now growing flowers such as orchids and chrysanthemums, tropical fruit trees, and various vegetables in addition to their traditional sugarcane crops; fishermen are no longer relying on just their hauls, as they have been culturing Mozuku seaweed and grape seaweed in recent years, which is bringing greater success with each passing year.

Other industries tied to tourism like craftwork, retail selling and the service sector in general have also been steadily growing. We are building a village for the 21st century here in Onna.