Travel information

Okinawafrom the is UK an take island from south-westjust over 17of Japan hours in with the a East stopover, China and Sea. the Flightstime is nine hours ahead of GMT. Currency is the Japanese yen. In October, the average high temperature is 31C and the average low is 24C.

GETTING THERE ANA flies daily from Heathrow to Okinawa’s Naha Airport, with a stop in Tokyo, from £834 return economy; £1465 premium economy. ana.co.jp

Cathay Pacific fly from London Gatwick to Okinawa via Hong Kong taking 19.5 hours, from £871 return. cathaypacific.com

GETTING AROUND Naha’s Yui Rail is a monorail connecting Naha Airport and Shuri Castle. The 111 bus runs from the airport to Naha bus terminal.

RESOURCES

Visit Okinawa Japan is the official local tourist board website with up-to-date information and tips for planning your trip. visitokinawa.jp

FURTHER READING

The Girl with the White Flag by Tomiko Higa (Kodansha America, £9.99) is a moving memoir of life as a seven-year-old girl separated from her family during the Battle of Okinawa.

Islands of Protest edited by Davinder L Blohmik and Steve Rabson (University of Hawaii Press, £21) is a collection of stories and short poems by local people who have long-since lived alongside soldiers.