Okinawa's Pristine Yaeyama Islands Photo Gallery by Helen Betts at pbase.com

Okinawa's Pristine Yaeyama Islands

We were posted to Okinawa from 2000 to 2003, during which time I started using a digital camera and joined Pbase. "Images of Okinawa" https://pbase.com/helenpb/images_of_okinawa of which this is a part, was my first Pbase gallery, started in 2001, and now has around 210,000 views and many kind comments over the years from Pbase friends as well as from US military personnel who were stationed here. I did a subsequent gallery https://pbase.com/helenpb/okinawa_reminiscence years later, a personal reminiscence of Okinawa. I have been meaning to redo the main gallery for a long time as I can see now I left many pictures out, but thought I'd start with the Yaeyama Islands -- a beautiful, less-inhabited part of Okinawa Prefecture and the Ryukyu Archipelago. I have redone the very few pictures I had included of these islands, and will be adding more.

Sukuji Beach, Ishigaki Island	Sukuji Beach, Ishigaki Island	Sukuji Beach, Ishigaki Island	Kabira Bay, Ishigaki Island
Kabira Bay, Ishigaki Island	The amazing water of Kabira Bay	Black pearl farm, Ishigaki Island	Contrast in style, Ishigaki Island
Ryukyu dress-up, Ishigaki Island	Minsa weaver, Ishigaki Island	Left shisa, Ishigaki Island	Right shisa, Ishigaki Island
Adan fruit, Ishigaki Island	Shrine, Ishigaki Island	Ishigaki Island flower	Mountainous region, Ishigaki Island
Departing Ishigaki	Port view, Ishigaki City	Kabira Bay again, Ishigaki Island	Sukuji Beach, Ishigaki Island
Water buffalo-drawn cart, Taketomi Island	The 'engine,' Taketomi Island	Passenger entertainment, Taketomi Island	Traditional house, Taketomi Island
Traditional house, Taketomi Island	Shisa on roof, Taketomi Island	Traditional house, Taketomi Island	Shisa, Taketomi Island
Shisa on a modern roof, Taketomi Island	Sand road, Taketomi Island	Another quiet road, Taketomi Island	Subtropical yard, Taketomi Island
Taking a break, Taketomi Island	Butterfly and flowers, Taketomi Island	Shrine, Taketomi Island	Traditional tomb, Taketomi Island
Taketomi Island flowers	Banana tree, Taketomi Island	Coral garden, Taketomi Island	Beach on Taketomi Island
Mangrove swamp, Iriomote Island	Water buffalo, Iriomote Island	Mangrove forest, Iriomote Island	Mangrove inhabitant, Iriomote Island
Mangroves, Iriomote Island	Waterfall, Iriomote Island	Grazing, Iriomote Island	Suigyuusha to Yufu Island
On the ride to Yufu Island	Water buffalo perspective	Botanical garden, Yufu Island	Botanical garden, Yufu Island
Botanical garden, Yufu Island	A serenade with soul, Yufu-Iriomote islands	Hoshizuna Beach, Iriomote Island	Star sand, Iriomote Island
Hoshizuna Beach, Iriomote Island	Yaeyama textile, Iriomote Island	Kayaks, Iriomote Island	The ubiquitous hibiscus, Yaeyama Islands

Wintermeer		12-Sep-2017 03:21
Such a lovely gallery, so many different impressions! ~V~

Range View		20-Apr-2017 03:24
A nice addition to your galleries Helen showing a lovely selection of life on the islands. V Barbara

Kuriacose Joseph		19-Apr-2017 17:59
Such a unique experience, and you have captured the essence of it.

Hugh Rooney		18-Apr-2017 09:20
Another great collection Helen...wonderful documentary...VVV

marie-jose wolff		18-Apr-2017 08:08
thank you Helen for sharing with us this unknown part of Japan, stunning images! V

carabias		17-Apr-2017 13:57
Beautiful and illustrated photographic report of that distant land, Helen! V

Tom LeRoy		17-Apr-2017 07:34
Impressive gallery and beautiful presentation of this amazing place! V

danad		16-Apr-2017 10:09
Stunning images from a different Japan ! V.

Zolt�n Balogh		16-Apr-2017 07:59
A truly beautiful, interesting and inviting gallery Helen. V

Jeff Real		15-Apr-2017 13:37
This is a beautiful gallery. Such lovely scenes and moments are special to see ~V~

janescottcumming		15-Apr-2017 11:35
A wonderful gallery of photo of this beautiful place! V

Patricia Kay		14-Apr-2017 23:31
Beautiful images Helen.....Looks like paradise...BV

Rob Oele		14-Apr-2017 16:18
Great impressions. V

joseantonio		14-Apr-2017 04:17
Thank you for showing us this "unknown" area of that country.V

Patrick Goossens		13-Apr-2017 21:09
You give us a great and wonderful insight on the culture of this place. Beautiful images.

Stephanie		12-Apr-2017 21:33
Wonderful and interesting gallery Helen! You and Tim have lived and visited some of the most amazing places! V

Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)		12-Apr-2017 07:10
Eccellente album,molto bene! Voto Paolo

exzim		10-Apr-2017 15:57
Thanks for sharing these Helen, its one of the places I've heard about but never seen

barbarajoy		09-Apr-2017 00:03
A most interesting gallery of excellent images Helen! V

Philip Game		08-Apr-2017 23:35
Most intriguing - some Australian writers and photographers are enthusing about Okinawa too. Your scenes of ox carts and rooftop demons exemplify the cultural differences from mainland Japan!

Don		08-Apr-2017 20:45
A quiet subtropical paradise with calm warm-looking waters (perhaps not always calm!).

click on thumbnails for full image