Experience the best of Nanjo

Nanjo occupies the south-east of Okinawa Island between the Pacific and the hills, and was formed in 2006 from four towns: Tamagusuku, Chinen, Sashiki and Ozato. Its coast is a mix of cliffs, small beaches and coral reefs, and its inland ridges are covered in sugar cane fields and woodland.

Sefa-utaki, a grove of ancient rock slabs and forest, was the most sacred place of the Ryukyu kingdom's native religion and is a World Heritage site. From the harbour at Azama, ferries cross to Kudaka Island, regarded as the island of the gods, while cafés on the cliffs look over the water. Limestone caves such as Gyokusendo are open to walkers, and Cape Chinen is a place for coastal walks.

Cooking here follows Ryukyu tradition, with tofuyo, a fermented tofu eaten in small pieces, braised pork belly, bitter melon and awamori, the island's rice spirit. Sugar cane is harvested in winter, when the fields are busy and the air is dry.