Okinawa was only finally annexed by Japan in 1879. Before the islands were an indepdent kingdom known as Ryûku. Naha was the capital of the kingdom and the main port of this very active trading nation. These days you can still see traces of the ancient Ryûku kingdom on Okinawa. Part of the cultural heritage had been destroyed in WWII, but the castle where the Ryûku kings used to reside is still intact and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The castle thrones over the city of Naha, with a great view of the city and the port area. Around the castle lies a ringwall with watchtowers, all painted in red like the main building. The inner wall surrounds the main 
building where the kings used to hold their meetings and where his and the queen's living quarters were located. Around the central square several other buildings were located, some living quarters for the kings subordinates, other working space.
building where the kings used to hold their meetings and where his and the queen's living quarters were located. Around the central square several other buildings were located, some living quarters for the kings subordinates, other working space. Ryûku also used to have it's own distinct language that differs from Japanese. It is still taught and spoken on Okinawa. Some of the elderly citizens are said to master only this language still, although Japanese has been the official language for many years. In Naha you see posters for the courses and the promotion of the Okinawan language and culture.
In recent years, the Ryûku palace was the location for a G8 summit. The museum shows pictures of Clinton, Chirac, Putin, Crétien and Co. dining in the king's hall.
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