Okinawa Prefecture captivates many people with its beautiful natural scenery and unique culture, characteristic of subtropical regions. Its appeal is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad, and it has earned numerous titles as the “No. 1 in Japan” and “No. 1 in the World.” Here, we’ll introduce not only Okinawa Prefecture’s “No. 1 in Japan” and “No. 1 in the World” rankings but also the areas where it ranks last.
[toc]A Roundup of Okinawa Prefecture's "No. 1 in Japan" Attractions
Okinawa Prefecture is home to a variety of "No. 1s" in Japan.
Read this while trying to guess what's number one in Japan!
No. 1 in Japan for Mango Production
Okinawa Prefecture has the highest mango harvest in Japan. In 2020, Japan’s total mango harvest was 3,387 metric tons, of which Okinawa Prefecture accounted for 1,647 metric tons—48.6% of the total. In particular, Okinawan mangoes, known for their intense sweetness and aroma, are highly regarded both in Japan and abroad.
Apple mangoes, which have red skin, are typically available from late June to early August. After that, Keitt mangoes, which have green skin, appear on the market from around mid-August to late September.
No. 1 in Japan for Pineapple Production
In 2021, Okinawa Prefecture harvested all 6,990 metric tons of pineapples grown in Japan, successfully claiming the top spot nationwide. Okinawa’s rich natural environment and warm climate produce sweet and juicy pineapples.
Also, Higashi Village on the main island of Okinawa has the highest pineapple production in all of Japan. In particular, the “Gold Barrel”—considered the pinnacle of Japanese-grown pineapples—is truly exquisite.
No. 1 in Japan for Shikuwasa Harvest Volume
Okinawa Prefecture's shikuwasa harvest reached 4,495 metric tons in 2020, of which 99.981 TP3T was produced in Okinawa Prefecture.
Shikuwasa is rich in vitamin C and is known for its refreshing tartness. Locally, it is widely used in juices and as a seasoning.
No. 1 in Japan for Banana Production
According to data from 2020, Okinawa Prefecture produced 88.6 metric tons of the 184.4 metric tons of bananas harvested in Japan, ranking first in the country.
Incidentally, Kagoshima Prefecture (38.61 TP3T) ranked second, and Miyazaki Prefecture (13.31 TP3T) ranked third.
No. 1 in Japan for Curvchee Harvest Volume
In 2021, Okinawa Prefecture produced all 60.1 metric tons of karubuchi harvested in Japan. The name “karubuchi” comes from its thick skin (karu = thick, buchi = skin). It is a citrus fruit unique to Okinawa, characterized by its thick skin and strong tartness. It is larger than the shikuwasa. It is also known as the “sports day mandarin.”
No. 1 in Japan for Dragon Fruit Harvest Volume
Okinawa Prefecture has the highest dragon fruit harvest in Japan. In 2020, 115.3 metric tons of dragon fruit were harvested in Japan. Of that total, Okinawa Prefecture accounted for 59.4 metric tons, ranking first. It harvested 51.5% of the total.
Okinawa Prefecture produced 59.4 metric tons—equivalent to 51.51 TP3T—of the 115.3 metric tons of dragon fruit harvested in Japan in 2020, ranking first in the country. Incidentally, Kagoshima Prefecture ranked second (47.9%), and Chiba Prefecture ranked third (6.9%).
Dragon fruit is popular for its vibrant colors and unique flavor, and demand for it is increasing as health consciousness grows.
No. 1 in Japan for Star Fruit Harvest Volume
In 2020, Okinawa Prefecture produced all 18.9 metric tons of star fruit harvested in Japan. Star fruit is characterized by its star-shaped cross-section and is popular as a garnish in fruit salads and desserts. You might even see it on hotel menus! It tastes kind of like a pear (I think)!
No. 1 in Japan for Acerola Harvest Volume
Okinawa Prefecture’s acerola harvest reached 16.5 metric tons in 2020, making it the top producer in Japan. Acerola is rich in vitamin C and is considered beneficial for beauty and health; it is widely used in juices and supplements. That tart flavor is just irresistible!
No. 1 in Japan for Guava Production
In 2020, Okinawa Prefecture produced all 16.1 metric tons of guava harvested in Japan. Guava is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, and in Okinawan households, it is enjoyed not only as is but also in the form of juice and jam.
No. 1 in Japan for Shrimp Farming Production
In 2019, Okinawa Prefecture produced 485 metric tons—equivalent to 33.31 TP3T—of the 1,458 metric tons of farmed tiger prawns harvested in Japan, ranking first in the country. The waters off Okinawa are ideal for tiger prawn aquaculture and provide high-quality shrimp.
Incidentally, Kagoshima Prefecture (21.11 TP3T) ranked second, and Kumamoto Prefecture (17.81 TP3T) ranked third.
No. 1 in Japan for Mozuku Aquaculture Production
Okinawa Prefecture’s mozuku aquaculture production reached 16,470 metric tons in 2019, with the prefecture producing 99.6% of the national total, ranking first in Japan. Mozuku is very popular as a health food, and Okinawan mozuku, in particular, is thick and has a great chewy texture! You can find it in various places, such as in mozuku soba, mozuku hirayachi, and as Okinawan souvenirs!
Number of Restaurants per 1,000 People: 1st Place—Okinawa Prefecture
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s 2020 “Report on Public Health Administration,” Okinawa Prefecture ranked first with 20.7 restaurants per 1,000 people. Osaka Prefecture ranked second (15.3 restaurants), and Nagano Prefecture ranked third (14.9 restaurants).
Over 40,000! Yomitan Village Ranks First in Population Among “Villages”
Yomitan Village, located in central Okinawa Island, has the largest population of any village in Japan. As of June 2024, its total population was 42,140.
Yomitan Village is extremely famous for “Yachimun,” Okinawan pottery. It’s home to numerous resort hotels—including Hotel Nikko Alivila, Grandi Style, Hoshinoya Okinawa, Uzaterrace, and Grand Mercure Okinawa Zanpa Misaki—and boasts an abundance of beaches. As the home of Okashi Goten, it’s a wonderful village brimming with attractions, including delicious bakeries, bento shops, Okinawa soba, yakiniku, and hidden culinary gems.
Yomitan Village: Japan's Largest Shisa
At Cape Zanpa Park in Yomitan Village, in central Okinawa Prefecture, stands Japan’s largest shisa, the “Zanpa Great Lion.” Standing 8.75 meters tall and 7.8 meters long, it’s truly a sight to behold. The Zanpa Great Lion even has a plump little butt!
"Irabu Ohashi," Japan's Longest Bridge, Which You Can Cross for Free
At 3,540 meters long, Miyako Island’s “Irabu Bridge” is the longest bridge in Japan, and crossing it is free. You can cross it by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot, and it’s highly recommended as a scenic drive along the “Miyako Blue” sea.
"Churaumi Aquarium," Japan's Most-Visited Aquarium
In fiscal year 2019, the Churaumi Aquarium was Japan’s most-visited aquarium, attracting 3 million visitors. However, in the following fiscal year 2020, partly due to the impact of the coronavirus, visitor numbers dropped to 600,000, causing it to lose its top spot. So, what will happen in fiscal year 2021 and beyond?
Okinawa Prefecture Ranks First in the Prefectural Happiness Index
In the Happiness Survey conducted by Brand Comprehensive Research Institute, Inc., Okinawa Prefecture ranked first for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022. In response to the question, “Are you happy?”, 41.8% of respondents from Okinawa Prefecture answered “very happy” and 36.2% answered “somewhat happy,” meaning that approximately 80% of respondents described themselves as “happy.”
Okinawa Prefecture Ranks First in International Marriage Rate by Prefecture
According to the 2020 e-Stat Demographic Survey, Okinawa Prefecture had the highest rate of international marriages among Japanese people. The proportion of international marriages was 4.77%. Of the total 7,276 marriages, 352 were international. Among these, 240 were between Japanese and American partners, accounting for more than 68% of the total.
Number of Days with an Average Temperature of 30 Degrees or Higher: 1st Place—Okinawa Prefecture
According to a 2020 survey, Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture had the highest number of days with an average temperature of 30 degrees or higher, at 60 days. Hateruma Island ranked second, Tarama Island third, and Yonaguni Island (two locations) took fourth and fifth place, meaning that Okinawa’s outlying islands dominated the top five spots nationwide.
[blogcard url=”https://weather.time-j.net/Summer/Ranking”]Number of Hotels per 100,000 People: 1st Place—Okinawa Prefecture
According to a 2020 survey, Okinawa Prefecture ranked first in the number of hotels and ryokan per 100,000 people. The number of hotels and ryokan per 100,000 people was 173.8.
Incidentally, in terms of the number of facilities alone, Okinawa Prefecture ranks fifth nationwide with 2,550 facilities (Nagano ranks first).
Prefectures with the Most Female CEOs: 1st Place—Okinawa Prefecture
In its “Nationwide Analysis of Female CEOs (2021)” report released in 2021, Teikoku Databank announced that Okinawa Prefecture ranked first among prefectures with the highest number of female CEOs. Incidentally, Tokushima Prefecture ranked second, and Aomori Prefecture ranked third.
I sometimes hear people say things like, “Women in Okinawa are strong and cool!”
[blogcard url=”https://www.tdb.co.jp/report/watching/press/pdf/p210702.pdf”]"Most Exciting Cities" Ranking: Chatan Town Takes First Place
Daito Kenkaku announced that Chatan Town in Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture, took first place in its “Ii Heya Net: Conscious Neighborhood Ranking 2021 (National Edition).” Incidentally, second place went to Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and third place went to Minato Ward, Tokyo.
It should be noted that a “conscious city” is defined not as a place that simply offers “the comfort of everyday life,” but rather as “a diverse and stimulating city” and “a city full of encounters and opportunities” for people who seek “work-life integration”—that is, the flexible blending of work and personal life.
[blogcard url=”https://www.kentaku.co.jp/corporate/pr/info/2022/sumicoco_conscious2021.html”]Okinawa Prefecture Ranks First in Birth Rate
In the “Total Fertility Rate Rankings” by prefecture (2020) released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Okinawa Prefecture ranked first in fertility rate. The total fertility rate in Okinawa Prefecture (the sum of birth rates by age group for women aged 15 to 49) is 1.86. Incidentally, it also ranked first in 2019, the previous year.
[blogcard url=”https://eleminist.com/article/1715"]Ranking of Places with the Closest-Knit Families: No. 1—Okinawa Prefecture
In the “Ranking of Prefectures with the Best Family Relationships” (2021) released by Sony Life Insurance, Okinawa Prefecture ranked first nationwide. The percentage of respondents who said their family relationships were good was 81.0% in Okinawa Prefecture. Incidentally, Mie Prefecture (80.0%) ranked second.
[blogcard url=”https://www.sonylife.co.jp/company/news/2021/nr_211215.html#sec7"]A Summary of Okinawa Prefecture's "Worst" Rankings
No. 1 in Divorce Rate per 1,000 People
According to the 2018 data, Okinawa Prefecture had the highest divorce rate in Japan, at 2.53 points per 1,000 people. This seems to be related to the fact that it ranks first in the percentage of female CEOs. Fukuoka Prefecture ranked second at 1.91 points, and Hokkaido ranked third at 1.90 points. It appears that the northern and southern ends of the Japanese archipelago have high divorce rates.
[blogcard url=”https://ricon-pro.com/columns/566/”]Minimum Wage Rankings: Ranked Worst
In the “Minimum Wage” rankings by prefecture (2020) released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Okinawa Prefecture ranked 41st. Okinawa’s minimum wage is 792 yen, tying it with Akita and Tottori for the lowest in the nation. Note that following the minimum wage increase in October 2022, Okinawa Prefecture’s minimum wage is now 853 yen. It remains among the lowest in the country.
[blogcard url=”https://pc.saiteichingin.info/table/page_list_nationallist.php”]Academic Performance of Children (Middle School): Ranked Last
In the “Ranking of Prefectures with the Highest Student Academic Achievement” from the “Reiwa 3 National Academic Achievement and Learning Status Survey (Junior High Schools),” Okinawa Prefecture ranked last at 47th place. The average total score for junior high school students in Okinawa Prefecture (the sum of the average scores in Japanese and mathematics) was 112. Shimane Prefecture ranked second from the bottom, and Miyazaki Prefecture ranked third from the bottom.
[blogcard url=”https://diamond.jp/articles/-/282452?page=2"]Number of Students Not Attending School per 1,000 Students: 1st Place
Based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s FY2021 “Survey on Problem Behaviors,” Okinawa Prefecture ranks first in the prefectural rankings for “Number of Elementary School Students Not Attending School per 1,000 Students.” The number of elementary school students who are not attending school per 1,000 students in Okinawa Prefecture was 15.3, the highest in the nation, surpassing Shimane Prefecture’s figure of 14.6.
[blogcard url=”https://ijyu-sien.com/p/education-ranking/2"]NHK Household Payment Rate: Ranked Worst
According to the “NHK License Fee Household Payment Rate” rankings by prefecture (2020) published by NHK, Okinawa Prefecture ranks last at 47th place. The household payment rate for NHK license fees in Okinawa Prefecture is 49.81 TP3T. This is the worst ranking, falling significantly below the national average of 80.3%. Incidentally, Akita Prefecture ranks first, with a payment rate of 97.4%.
[blogcard url=”https://the-owner.jp/archives/8286"]Ranked Last in Homeownership Rate
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ “Heisei 30 Housing and Land Statistics Survey,” Okinawa Prefecture (44.41 TP3T) ranked last in the “Ranking of Prefectures by Homeownership Rate.” Incidentally, Tokyo ranked second. It is believed that Okinawa’s low homeownership rate is due to factors such as high land prices and low wages compared to the rest of the country.
[blogcard url=”https://magazine.aruhi-corp.co.jp/0000-4685/”]In Closing
What did you think? We’ve shown you Okinawa Prefecture’s various “No. 1” rankings and statistics.
There were many other pieces of data showing Okinawa ranked first, but since much of it was from surveys conducted more than 10 years ago, I didn’t include it because it lacked credibility. If you’re curious, feel free to look it up yourself!
