Haebaru, Okinawa

Haebaru
南風原町
Town
Flag of Haebaru
Flag
Official seal of Haebaru
Emblem
Location of Haebaru in Okinawa Prefecture
Location of Haebaru in Okinawa Prefecture
Haebaru is located in Japan
Haebaru
Haebaru
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 26°11′28″N 127°43′43″E / 26.19111°N 127.72861°E / 26.19111; 127.72861
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
DistrictShimajiri
Area
 • Total10.72 km2 (4.14 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2016)
 • Total37,874
 • Density3,500/km2 (9,200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address686 Aza Kanegusuku, Haebaru-chō, Shimajiri-gun
901-1195
Websitewww.town.haebaru.lg.jp in Japanese
Symbols
FlowerBougainvillea
TreeEbony

Haebaru (南風原町, Haebaru-chō, Okinawan: フェーバル Feebaru[1]) is a town located in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.[2]

As of 2016, the town has an estimated population of 37,874 and a density of 3,500 persons per km2. The total area is 10.72 km2. It is one of the only landlocked towns in Okinawa, but its central location ensures traffic and business remain healthy.

Haebaru is located in the south of Okinawa Island directly southeast of the prefectural capital of Naha.[2]

Haebaru is home to several pachinko parlors, as well as a skate and BMX ramp under the Okinawa Expressway. There is a large ÆON shopping complex and hypermarket.

Haebaru is the birthplace of Ultraman, a fictional television character that grows to a giant size and wrestles with giant monsters. The town is also home to a traditional Ryukyuan craft producing woven fabric or kasuri. It is produced at workshops in Haebaru.[3]

In June 2007 dugout bunkers used as military hospitals during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa were opened to the public for tours. In spring 2011, local junior high students began training as peace tour guides in a work experience program aiming to guide members of the public around the caves.[4]

  1. ^ 滝原康盛 Takihara Yasumori. 沖縄語会話集 日本語・沖縄語・ローマ字付き Okinawago Kaiwashū: Nihongo, Okinawago, Rōmaji-tsuki. (Okinawan Conversation Collection: Japanese, Okinawan, Romaji.) 那覇:沖縄芸能出版 Naha: Okinawa Geinō Shuppan. Heisei 6 (1994). p. 108. (in Japanese)
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference n was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference kasuri was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference jhs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).