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Uruma

Coordinates:26°22′45″N127°51′27″E/ 26.37917°N 127.85750°E/26.37917; 127.85750
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For other uses, seeUruma (disambiguation).
Uruma
うるま thị
City
Uruma City Montage
Uruma City Montage
Flag of Uruma
Flag
Official seal of Uruma
Seal
Location of Uruma in Okinawa Prefecture
Location of Uruma inOkinawa Prefecture
Uruma is located in Japan
Uruma
Uruma
Coordinates:26°22′45″N127°51′27″E/ 26.37917°N 127.85750°E/26.37917; 127.85750
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
Government
• MayorMasato Nakamura
Area
• Total86.00 km2(33.20 sq mi)
Elevation
[1]
204 m (669 ft)
Population
(October 1, 2020)
• Total125,303
• Density1,500/km2(3,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9(Japan Standard Time)
– TreeRyuūkyū kuroki
– FlowerSantanka
– BirdChaan (Ryukyuancock)
Phone number098-974-3111
Address1-1-1 Midori-machi, Uruma-shi, Okinawa-ken
904–2292
Websitewww.city.uruma.lg.jp(in Japanese)

Uruma(うるま thị,Uruma-shi)is acitylocated inOkinawa Prefecture,Japan.[2]The modern city of Uruma was established on April 1, 2005, when the cities ofGushikawaandIshikawawere merged with the towns ofKatsurenandYonashiro(both fromNakagami District).[2][3]As of 1 October 2020, the city has an estimatedpopulationof 125,303 and apopulation densityof 1,500 people per km2.The total area is 86.00 km2.The city covers part of the east coast of the south ofOkinawa Island,theKatsuren Peninsula,and the eightYokatsu Islands.[4]The Yokatsu Islands include numerous sites important to theRyukyuan religion,and the city as a whole has numerous historical sites, including:Katsuren Castle,Agena Castle,andIha Castleand theIha Shell Mound.[2][3]It is home to the largest venue forOkinawan bullfighting.TheMid-Sea Road,which crosses the ocean and connects the Yokatsu Islands to the main island of Okinawa, is now a symbol of Uruma.[2][3][5]

Uruma is noted for its role in hosting large-scale refugee camps and the initial organization of local government of Okinawa immediately after theBattle of Okinawain 1945. As such the city is considered the home of the starting point of the restoration of civil life in Okinawa immediately after the end ofWorld War II.[6][7]United States maintains four military bases in Uruma, some of which span other municipalities in Okinawa: Kadena Ammunition Storage Area,Camp McTureous,Camp Courtney,and White Beach Naval Facility. The bases cover 12.97% of the total area of the city. Two controversies have surrounded American military bases in Uruma: the1959 Okinawa F-100 crashwhich killed and injured numerous students and residents, and the transport ofAgent Orangevia the White Beach Naval Facility for testing in Okinawa in the early 1960s as part of the classified Project AGILE.[8][9][10]

Etymology

[edit]

In theJapanese languagethe name of the city is written using thehiraganasyllabary instead ofkanjicharacters because, according to the city, it looks endearing and soft.[11]The name of the city of Uruma comes from a poetic name for Okinawa Island. A folk etymology, which was adopted by the city itself,[12]segmentsurumaintouru(fine sand orcoralinOkinawan) and*ma(island?). Another theory relates it tourumaa,meaningcricketin Okinawan.

The Okinawan origin of the word, however, has long been questioned. In fact, it was in mainland Japan that the word was first attested and eventually came to refer to Okinawa. The first known reference tourumais awakapoem byFujiwara no Kintōin the early 11th century. He compared a woman's coldheartedness to the incomprehensible speech of drifters fromUreungIsland ( vu lăng đảo, identified asUlleung Island) ofGoryeo Kingdom,which Kintō called Silla, a practice rather common inHeian-periodJapan. However, the association with Ulleung Island was soon forgotten because the reference to Silla was dropped when his poem was recorded in theSenzai Wakashū(1188). Thereafter waka poets only thoughturumaas an island somewhere outside Japan with an unintelligible language. At the same time, it evoked a sense of familiarity because the phraseuruma no ichi(market in Uruma) waspoetically associated withMino Province.From the viewpoint of mainland Japanese poets, Okinawa might have been an ideal referent ofurumabecause, despite the exotic name ofRyūkyū,the first reference to Okinawan-composed waka poems was as early as 1496. The first known identification ofurumaas Okinawa Island can be found in theMoshiogusa(1513), but the association remained weak for some time. For example,Hokkaido,in addition to Okinawa, was referred to asurumain theShōzaishū(1597). The mainland Japanese poetic practice was adopted by Okinawan waka poets in the late 17th century. TheOmoidegusa(1700), a purely Japanesepoetic diarybyShikina Seimei,is known for its extensive use of the worduruma.[13]

History

[edit]
Nakabaru Site, Ikei Island

Early history

[edit]

In theSanzan Period(1322–1429), or Three Kingdom period, numerousgusuku,or castles were built across Okinawa Island. The area of present-day Uruma fell under the control of the Chūzan Kingdom, which covered the central area of Okinawa Island and its nearby islands. The Katsuren area of Uruma became notably prosperous in the mid-15th century. Katsuren Castle, and a surrounding jōkamachi castle town, were constructed in this period.

Under theRyukyu Kingdomsixmagiri,a type of regional administrative district in pre-modern Okinawa, covered areas of present-day Uruma: 'Nzatō Magiri (parts of which were also located in present-day Okinawa City), Gushichaa Magiri, Kachin magiri, and Yunagushiku Magiri. Nakagushiku Magiri included Tsuken Island.[14][15]

TheRyūkyū Kingdomended in 1872 with the establishment of theRyūkyū Domain,which was soon abolished with the establishment ofOkinawa Prefecturein 1879. The existing system ofmagiriin Uruma continued with the establishment of Okinawa Prefecture. The magiri were abolished in 1907 under Imperial Edict 46, and the central government extended the establishment of cities, towns, and village organization to Okinawa Prefecture. In 1908 the area of present-day Uruma was reorganized as the five villages of Misato, Gushikawa, Katsuren, and Yonashiro.[14][15]

In the pre-war period Uruma had the most productivesugarcaneindustry in Okinawa Prefecture due to sources of irrigation and fertile soil.

The areas of present-day Uruma were affected inWorld War IIduring the initial part of theBattle of Okinawa.L-Day, the initial land invasion of Okinawa Island, occurred on April 1, 1945. American forces swept across the island quickly, and by April 5 had secured the entirety of the Katsuren Peninsula. A smaller invasion force captured Tsuken Island on the same day, and encountered stiff resistance from the Japanese military. Tsuken Island was completely devastated by fire in the battle. After the capture of Tsuken, American forces reached Ikei Island on April 9, thus securing all the Yokatsu Islands.[16]The area that becameIshikawawas a major refugee camp set up by the American military near the end of the battle.

Post-war period

[edit]
1959 Okinawa F-100 crash, June 30, 1959

TheOkinawa Advisory Council,the predecessor to theUnited States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islandswas established in Ishikawa, and temporarily became the political, educational, and cultural center of Okinawa. In 1946 the Advisory Council was moved to the village of Sashiki, now a district of Nanjō, refugees began a large-scale movement to return to their homes, and the population of Ishikawa decreased rapidly. In the aftermath of World War II the Ishikawa area of Uruma was used as a large-scale refugee camp. The camp was built and operated by the U.S. occupation forces, and is considered the starting point of the reconstruction and recovery of Okinawa after the war.[6][7]

The1959 Okinawa F-100 crashoccurred on June 30, 1959. In the crash, aUnited States Air ForceNorth American F-100 Super Sabreon a flight from nearbyKadena Air Basesuffered an engine fire and crashed into Miyamori Elementary School and surrounding houses. Eleven students and six other people in the neighborhood were killed, and 210 were injured, including 156 students at the school. The F-100 crash contributed to ill will among the Okinawan population towards the U.S. occupation authorities, and strengthened calls for the island to be returned to the control of the Japanese government.[17][18]

The city of Uruma was formed on April 1, 2005 from the merger of the cities ofGushikawaandIshikawa,and the towns ofKatsurenandYonashiro,both fromNakagami District.[19]

Economy

[edit]

Uruma, despite its low amount of arable land, is noted for several agricultural products. The city, like most areas of Okinawa, producessugarcane.Cut flowers,notablychrysanthemums,are a relatively new agricultural product. Land improvement has made small-scalericeproduction possible. Pigs have been raised in Uruma since the end of World War II.

Uruma produces also several specialty agricultural products. The city is noted for the production of mozuku seaweed. Tsuken Island produces a specialty variety of carrots, which are known in Japan as the "Tsuken Ninjin". "Nuchi-masu", or the "salt of life", is produced from the mineral-rich seawater of Uruma. Yamashiro-cha is a locally produced tea grown in the Yamashiro area of the city.[6][20]

Geography

[edit]
Kin Bay viewed from Ikei Island.
Height marker on top of Mount Ishikawa.

Uruma is located near the center of Okinawa Island, facing east. The city occupies the southern rim ofKin Bayas well as the north ofNakagusuku Bay.[2]The highest point in the city isMount Ishikawaat 204 metres (669 ft).[1][21]

Rivers

[edit]

The longest river in the city is theTengan River,which runs for 12.20 kilometres (7.58 mi) fromMount Yomitan(201 metres (659 ft)) to Kin Bay in the Akano district of the city.[22]

Neighboring municipalities

[edit]

Land areas

[edit]
View of Yokatsu Islands from Katsuren Castle

The city consists of three geographic areas: a land area on Okinawa Island proper, theKatsuren Peninsula,and the eightYokatsu Islands.The majority of the city of Uruma sits on adissected plateau,and has numerous hills and indentations. The islands of the city are flat and low-lying and are primarily composed of Ryukyuanlimestone.[3]

Okinawan mainland

[edit]

The land area of the city of Uruma on Okinawa Island includes the former cities of Ishikawa to the north and Gushikawa to the south. These areas are the most populated parts of the city, and are crossed by theOkinawa ExpresswayandIshikawa By-pass.The area of Uruma on the Okinawan mainland is bordered by Kin Bay to the east, and has a long coastline with significant industrial development. The northernmost point of the city is marked by Ishikawadake (204 metres (669 ft)), a low hill on the border of Uruma and the city of Kin. The Kinbu Fishing Port is located in the Gushikawa area.[6][20]

Katsuren Peninsula

[edit]

TheKatsuren Peninsulaextends south from Okinawa Island and used to be incorporated as the town of Katsuren. The peninsula extends 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi) from the island, is 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) to 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide, and covers 15 square kilometres (5.8 sq mi). The peninsula is the home base for access to the Yokatsu Islands, as well as home to two U.S. military facilities, Camp Courtney and White Beach.[23]

Yokatsu Islands

[edit]
View of Ikei Island from Miyagi Island

The eight Yokatsu Islands are located in Uruma City. Seven sit to the east of the Katsuren Peninsula, and one,Tsuken Island,sits to the southeast.[4]

  • Yabuchi Island(Tẩu địa đảo,Yabuchi-jima)is one of the Yokatsu Islands located on the east of the Katsuren Peninsula. The island covers 0.62 square kilometres (0.24 sq mi). The island maintained a population until three hundred years ago, but is now uninhabited. Part of the Yabuchi is used for rice cultivation. Yabuchi Island is well known for its large population ofhabu,the poisonous pit viper of Okinawa, and its southern coast is dense withkasanori,and Okinawan species ofUlvophyceae,an ediblealgae.The island is home to the Yabuchi Cave Ruins, first excavated in 1959. The ruins produced a shard of pottery dating approximately 6,500 years ago. The pottery is the first of its kind of Okinawa, and the style is now called yabuchi-style pottery. The caves are home to numerous shrines associated withancestor worshipof theRyukyuan religion.[24][25]
  • Henza Island(Bình an tọa đảo,Henza-jima)is located 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) off the Katsuren Peninsula and covers 5.22 square kilometres (2.02 sq mi).[21]The majority of the island is used as an oil tank facility. The population of Henza Island is concentrated at the entrance of the island, which includes a fishing port. The island is connected to the mainland by the Mid-Sea Road, which forms part of Okinawa Prefectural Road 10. Prior to the construction of the Mid-Sea Road the channel could be crossed by foot or amphibious vehicle at low tide. Henza Island is bisected from northwest to southeast by flat limestone ridge that ranges between 65 metres (213 ft) and 90 metres (300 ft) in height. The island has little arable land, but is surrounded by rich fishing areas along its coral reefs.[26]
  • Miyagi Island(Cung thành đảo,Miyagi-jima),also known as Takahari Island(Cao ly đảo,Takahari-jima),is adjacent to the northeast coast of Henza Island. The two islands used to be separated by a shallow beach, but are now connected via landfill. The island covers 5.51 square kilometres (2.13 sq mi). The island relies on the tourism industry, but also produces sugarcane and cut flowers. The irregular geological formation of the island cause numerous natural springs, notably in the northeast of the island. Miyagi has numerous historical remains, including the remains of one gusuku, the Tomari Gusuku.[27]
  • Ikei Island(Y kế đảo,Ikei-jima),also known as Ichihanari to residents of the island, is the easternmost of the Yokatsu Islands. It is connected to the northeastern tip of Miyagi Island by the short Ikei Ōhashi Bridge.[28]The island covers 1.7 square kilometres (0.66 sq mi) and has a coastline of 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi). The north, west, and south coasts of the island consist of inaccessible steep cliffs, which range between 20 metres (66 ft) and 30 metres (98 ft).[28]Ikei Island is relatively flat. The main settlement is on the west of the island. Ikei Island used to be home to numerous sugarcane farms, but the economy is now focused almost entirely on the tourism industry.[28]Ikei Island has numerous archaeological sites, including shell mounds and the remains of a castle, the Ikei Gusuku. The island, which was sighted byCommodore Matthew Calbraith Perry(1794–1858), was recorded as "Ichey Island" in theNarrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan,published in 1856 byFrancis L. Hawks.
  • Hamahiga Island(Bang bỉ gia đảo,Hamahiga-jima),also known as Bamahija-jima, sits 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the Katsuren Peninsula directly south of Henza Island. The island is connected to Henza island by the 1.43 kilometres (0.89 mi) Hamahiga Bridge. The island is roughly triangular in shape covers 2.04 square kilometres (0.79 sq mi). Hamahiga Island measures 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) from east to west and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from north to south, and at its highest point reaches an elevation of 78.7 metres (258 ft). The island has an uneven topography with few natural inlets. The three settlements on the island are Hama on the northwest coastline, Higa on the northeast coastline, and Kaneku on the southeast coastline. Hama is home to the post office and middle school of Hamahiga Island, and the elementary school sits between Hama and Higa. All three settlements are home to a fishing port. Like the other Yokatsu Islands, Hamahiga has numerous shellmound and gusuku remains, but little archaeological excavation has been carried out on the island. Hamahiga is home to numerous sites of worship of the Ryukyuan religion, including the tombs ofAmamikyuandShinerikyu.The settlements of Hama and Higa are home tonoro priestesses.[29]
  • Tsuken Island(Tân kiên đảo,Tsuken-jima,Okinawan:Biti)[30]is located 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi) south south-east of the Katsuren Peninsula. The island covers 1.88 square kilometres (0.73 sq mi). Tsuken runs 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) from north to south and.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) to 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) east to west, and has its highest point in the southwest of the island at 38.8 metres (127 ft). Tsueken was once covered with a dense forest offountain palms,but the middle portion of Tsuken was entirely burned during World War II, and palm groves remain only at the north of the island.[31]Thick belts of vegetation now exist around coastal areas of the island protect the settlement and agricultural land fromSea breeze.The only settlement on Tsuken is located in the southwest of the island, which is home to a post office, medical clinic, an elementary school, and a middle school. Tsuken is noted for its production of carrots. Commodore Perry recorded the island as "Taking Island" in his narrative. Tsuken is home to numerous shell mounds, of which three have been excavated. The island was also home to a castle, the Kubō Gusuku.[32]The Tsukenjima Training Area is used by the U.S. Military and is located off the western coast of Tsuken. The training area was established in 1959 and covers 16,000 square metres (170,000 sq ft).[33][34]
  • Ukibara Island(Phù nguyên đảo,Ukibara-jima)is an uninhabited, low-lying island 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) southeast of Hamahiga Island. The island covers 0.3 square kilometres (0.12 sq mi), and measures 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) from east to west and 0.6 kilometres (0.37 mi) north to south. Ukibara is primarily flat, it reaches an altitude of 12 metres (39 ft). The island composed of quaternary Ryukyu limestone. Numerous coral reefs surround the island, and are notably well developed off the southwest coast of the island. Ukibara has no arable land and is mostly covered in densecogon grass.Ukibara is now used as a training ground for the U.S. Marines Okinawa forces. The Marines maintain no permanent residential facilities on the island, and use the training ground periodically rather than permanently. Public access to Ukibara is prohibited.[35][36]
  • Minamiukibara Island(Nam phù nguyên đảo,Minamiukibara-jima)is an uninhabited island 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) south of Ukibara Island. It covers 1 square kilometre (0.39 sq mi).[35]

Arts and culture

[edit]
Traditional music practice at the Gushikawa Dome

Festivals

[edit]

The Uruma City Festival is held in October, and is the largest festival in the city. It features bullfighting, performing arts, and live concerts.[37]

Community centers

[edit]

Uruma has three communities centers, each of which have facilities for performances, cooking classes, and other cultural events. They are located in the Ishikawa Akebono, Katsuren Henna, and Yonashiro Yakema districts.[7]

Libraries

[edit]

The Uruma City Library maintains three branches. The Main Library (formerly the Gushikawa Library) is in the Tairagawa district, and was built in 1989. The Ishikawa Library, located in the Akebono district, was built in 1990. The Katsuren Library, located in Katsurenhenna, was built in 1997. The libraries collectively hold 391,359 volumes.[38]

Recreation

[edit]
Okinawan Bullfight, Ishikawa, Uruma

The largest park in Uruma, the Agena Central Park, is located near the historical remains of Agena Castle. The castle and its moat make up the central part of the park. Agena Central Park is home to the Agena Bullfighting Ring.[39]

The Ayahashi Road Race Through the Sea Tournament is held in April. The race is divided into 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi), 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), and half marathon runs. Runners cross from Yonashiro over the Mid-Sea Road, which is partially closed to traffic during the race, to Henza Island.[37][40]

Religion

[edit]

Uruma is home to numerous sites associated with theRyukyuan religion,many of which are located on the Yokatsu Islands. Hamahiga Island is located approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of Kudaka Island, which is considered the holiest place of the Ryukyuan religion. The tombs ofAmamikyuandShinerikyuare located on Hamahiga. Amamikyu and Shinerikyu are worshipped at their tombs, and thenoropriestess of Higa conducts prayers at the beginning of the year at the sites. The forests of the southeast tip of Hamahiga are home to a cave that is considered one of the residences of Amamikyu and Shinerikyu; a stalactite in a cave at the site is a center of worship for numerous children.[25]Nearby are other holy sites related to Shinerikyu,Maitreya,andNirai Kanai(most notably the Miruku Gate and Mount Yugafu).

There are a significant number ofnoropriestesses andyutamediumson Hamahiga Island, the latter being typically female, but sometimes male.[25]

Government

[edit]
Uruma City Hall, Bikuni

Uruma is administered from the city hall in Bikuni. The Uruma Board of Education oversees the middle school, elementary schools, and community education centers of the city.

The Uruma City Council consists of 34 members who serve a four-year term, and are led by a chairperson (Kazuo Nishino, born 1950) and vice-chairperson (Mitsuo Higashihama, born 1954) of the council. City council members are affiliated with theOkinawa Social Mass Party,the Shinsei Club, theNew Komeito Party,theJapan Revolutionary Communist League,theJapanese Communist Party,and the21st Century Club.[41]

Uruma has eleven post offices: one each in Gushikawa, Agena, Shirinkawa, Higashi Gushikawa, Ishikawa, Ishikawa Shiromae, Ishikawa Higashionna, Yokatsu, Katsuren, Henza, and Yonashiro. The city maintains two police stations: Uruma Police Station and Ishikawa Police Station. Fire stations for the city are located in Gushikawa, Ishikawa, Katsuren, and Henza.

Education

[edit]
Maehara Senior High School

The City of Uruma maintains 17 elementary schools (Miyamori, Shiromae, Iha, Yonashiro, Minamihara, Katsuren, Heishikiya, Higa, Tsuken, Kawasaki, Tengan, Agena, Taba, Gushikawa, Kanehara, Nakahara, Akamichi, and Ayahashi), and 9 middle schools (Ishikawa, Iha, Tsuken, Yokatsu, Yokatsu 2nd, Agena, Gushikawa, Takaesu, and Gushikawa East). The city closed and consolidated numerous elementary and middle schools in 2012. In addition, Uruma maintains 18 preschools.[42]

Bechtel Elementary School, located on Camp McTureous, is administered byDepartment of Defense Education Activityfor English-speaking United States military dependents. It is run under the supervision of the OkinawaDepartment of Defense Dependents SchoolsDistrict.[43]

The senior high schools of Uruma are operated by Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawa Prefectural Yokatsu Senior High School-Yokatsu Midorigaoka Junior High School is a joint secondary school in the Katsuren Henna district.[44]Other senior high schools include Ishikawa Senior High School, Gushikawa Senior High School, Maehara Senior High School, Gushikawa Commercial Senior High School, and Chūbu Agricultural High School.

Transportation

[edit]
Hamahiga Ōhashi Bridge

Bus

[edit]

Uruma is connected to the other municipalities of Okinawa Island bytransit buswith numerous routes originating from theNaha Bus Terminal.The four bus companies that serve Okinawa,Ryukyu Bus,Okinawa Bus,Naha Bus Co., Ltd.,andToyo Bus,all have lines in Uruma, but service via Naha Bus is limited to the jointly operated high-speed bus Route 111. JA Okinawa operates local buses to the Katsuren Peninsula and the Yokatsu Islands.

Ryukyu Bus operates theGushikawa Bus Terminal,Okinawa Bus operates theYakena Bus Terminal,which is also used by Ryukyu Bus, and Toyo Bus operates theToyo Bus Awase Office.

Highway

[edit]

TheOkinawa Expressway,which runs 57.3 kilometres (35.6 mi) from Naha toNago,has one interchange in Uruma, the Ishikawa Interchange.Japan National Route 329,which similarly runs between Naha and Nago, runs through the western districts of Uruma. The city, including the Yokatsu Islands, is also served by numerous prefectural highways.

Port of Kinwan

[edit]

The Port of Kinwan (19,400 hectares (48,000 acres)) encompasses the coastal areas of Naha, Uruma, and other municipalities on Okinawa island. The port area covers the entirety of the coastal areas of Uruma, including those of the Yokatsu Islands.[45]

Hospital

[edit]
Okinawa Prefectural Chūbu Hospital

Okinawa Prefectural Chūbu Hospital is located in the Miyazato district of Uruma. The hospital traces its history to the refugee camps in 1945, which were staffed by personnel from theUniversity of Hawaiʻi.Chubu Hospital was formally established in 1946, and is one of 6 prefectural hospitals in Okinawa Prefecture, and maintains a strong reciprocal training agreement with the University of Hawaiʻi.[46][47]

Notable places

[edit]
Ruins of Katsuren Castle

Uruma is noted for several historic and religious sites, including the Iha Shell Mound, Katsuren Castle, and Agena Castle.

Iha Shell Mound

[edit]

TheIha Shell Moundis located in the Iha district of Uruma. The site sits on a largelimestonefault slope, and dates from the lateJōmon period,ca. 2500 – 1000 BC. The Iha Shell Mound is approximately 60 centimetres (24 in) thick and covers an area of 150 square metres (1,600 sq ft).[48]The site was first discovered in 1920, and is one of only a few fully excavated shell mounds in Okinawa. The site includes remains of fish and animal bones, earthen and stoneware, and goods made out of horn.[6]

Agena Castle

[edit]

Agena Castleis agusukulocated in the north of Agena district of Uruma, in former Gushikawa City. It was built on a base of Ryūkyūan limestone and occupies 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft). Agena Castle sits at an altitude of 49 metres (161 ft), and is naturally protected by theTengan Riverto the north.[49]The ŌgawaAji,or regional ruler of the ŌgawaMagiriof theRyūkyū Kingdom,occupied the castle for several generations. For this reason the castle is also known as theŌgawa gusuku.Details of the history of both the castle and theajiare unclear, and no archaeological excavation has been carried out on the castle. It was likely built in the 14th century.[49]The Ōgawa reached their greatest period of prosperity in the 15th century.[50]At some point the castle was destroyed by the army of the Ryūkyū Kingdom. The outer gate of Agena Castle no longer exists, but as the inner gate is bored through the limestone foundation and is surrounded on both sides with quarried rocks, it still exists. The inner gate is an early example of an arched castle gate, and is protected as a national treasure of Japan. The castle remains now hold numerousutakisites of worship of the Ryukyuan religion, and are scattered with fragments of Chinese ceramics from the 14th to the 15th century.[50]The area around the castle is now used as Agena Park.[49][50]

Katsuren Castle

[edit]

Katsuren Castleis agusuku,or Okinawancastle,in former Katsuren Town.[51]The castle is known asKacchin Gushikuin theOkinawan language.It sits 98 meters (322 ft) abovesea levelon the smallKatsuren Peninsula,and is flanked by thePacific Oceanon two sides.[51]The "golden age" of Katsuren Castle was in the mid-15th century, when the castle was controlled by theAjiof Katsuren,Amawari(died 1458), before his death in conflicts withShō Taikyū(1415–1460) ofShuriand Gosamaru (died 1458), Aji ofNakagusuku Castle.[52][53][54][55]Katsuren Castle has an active shrine of theRyukyuan religionwithin its firstbailey.[56]In the2010 Okinawa earthquakedamaged an outer wall at the northeast of the third bailey of the castle.[57]Katsuren Castle was designated aDesignated Historical Monumentin 1972, and designated aUNESCOWorld Heritage Sitein 2000 as part of one of the nineGusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.[58]

U.S. military bases

[edit]
White Beach Naval Facility

United States military bases in Uruma cover 6.632 square kilometres (2.561 sq mi), or 12.97% of the total area of the city. While the bases are located on a mix of national, prefectural, municipal, and private property, 4.964 square kilometres (1.917 sq mi), or 75% of base areas are on privately held land.[59]

Kadena Ammunition Storage Area

[edit]

TheKadena Ammunition Storage Area(26.579 square kilometres (10.262 sq mi)) is the third largest military base in Okinawa Prefecture, and spans the municipalities of Okinawa City, Kadena, Yomitan, Onna, and Uruma. While it covers fully 1.877 square kilometres (0.725 sq mi) in Uruma and is the largest base area in the city, it represents only 7% of the total size of the base.

Camp Courtney

[edit]

Camp Courtneyis aUnited States MarineBase located in the north of Uruma on Kin Bay. The camp was established in 1956 and occupies 1.348 square kilometres (0.520 sq mi) in the Konbu, Tengan, and Uken districts of Uruma.[60]Camp Courtney is part of the largerMarine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler,and is home to the quarters of the3rd Marine DivisionHeadquarters and theIII Marine Expeditionary Force.Camp Courtney is utilized for office space and living quarters for Marines and military families. The camp includes a post office, theater, bank, church, and recreational facilities.[60][61]

Camp McTureous

[edit]

Camp McTureousis aUnited States MarineBase located in the west side of the Agena district of Uruma. The camp was established in 1956 and occupies 1.348 square kilometres (0.520 sq mi) in the Kawasaki district of Uruma.[60]Camp McTureous is part of the largerMarine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.Camp McTureous is utilized for living quarters for Marines and military families. The camp includes Bechtel elementary school and recreational facilities.[62]

White Beach Naval Facility

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White Beach Naval Facility,formally referred to as the Port Operations Naval Facility White Beach, is aUnited States Navybase located southern tip of theKatsuren Peninsulaat the Northeast ofNakagusuku Bay,also known as Buckner Bay. The base covers 1.568 square kilometres (0.605 sq mi) in the Heishikiya and Nohen districts of the city.[63][64]White Beach serves as the staging area for the Okinawa-based31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.[63][65][66][67]Nuclear submarines and warships and submarines make regular calls to the facility.[67]White Beach consists primarily of twopiers,designated Navy Pier and Army Pier.[68]The Navy pier is 24 metres (79 ft) in width and 850 metres (2,790 ft) in length, and the Army pier is 24 metres (79 ft) in width and 450 metres (1,480 ft) in length.[68]TheJapan Maritime Self-Defense ForceOkinawa Naval Base is located directly adjacent to White Beach.

The White Beach Naval Facility was built at the end of theBattle of Okinawain 1945. 95,000 military engineers arrived onOkinawa Islandto convert the island into a staging area for an invasion of the Japanese main islands. While the island was not used for an invasion of Japan, White Beach remained a permanent military facility.[69][70]White Beach played a role in the controversialAgent Orangetesting in Okinawa in the early 1960s under an American program to test unconventional weapons as part of the classified Project AGILE. Logbooks of the privately owned merchant marine ship SSSchuyler Otis Blandshow that chemicals agents were delivered to White Beach under armed guard on April 25, 1962, then transported to other areas of the island.[8][9][10]

Famous people from Uruma

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See also

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1959 Kadena Air Base F-100 crash

References

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