Izena, Okinawa

Izena
伊是名村
Village
Izena Village Office
Izena Village Office
Flag of Izena
Official seal of Izena
Location of Izena in Okinawa Prefecture
Location of Izena in Okinawa Prefecture
Izena is located in Japan
Izena
Izena
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 26°56′42″N 127°56′28″E / 26.94500°N 127.94111°E / 26.94500; 127.94111
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu (Okinawa)
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
DistrictShimajiri
Area
 • Total15.42 km2 (5.95 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2020)
 • Total1,322
 • Density86/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address1203 Aza Nakada, Izena-son, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa-ken
905-0695
ClimateCfa
Websitevill.izena.okinawa.jp in Japanese
Symbols
FlowerRhododendron simsii
TreeUbamegashi (Quercus Phillyraeoides)

Izena (伊是名村, Izena-son, Okinawan: Ijina, also known as Meejii (前地)) is a village occupying Izena Island in the north of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan (though administered as part of Shimajiri District). There are five localities of about equal size and population located on the island: Izena, Nakada, Shomi, Uchihana, and Jicchaku (also called Serikyaku).

Izena's primary claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of King Shō En, the first king of the Second Shō Dynasty. It is also the birthplace of the contemporary artist Naka Bokunen and musician Shunichi Irei [ja] (伊禮 俊一 Irei Shun'ichi).