Jul 28, 2013 - 1 min read

Sukubu Koen

Noborikawa's park is really a memorial and shrine

By Michael Flemming

Community writer

This memorial is in remembrance of the establishment of the Noborikawa neighborhood of northern Okinawa City

At first the park just looks like an undeveloped hill amongst a neighbood of single family homes and small apartment buildings

Sukubu Koen or Sukubu Park is the name shown on this sign

These few benches and the tire surrounded sand pit are the only iindicators that Sukubu Koen is a park

This shrine built into the densely covered hill is the focal point of Sukubu Park

A large torii leads to a pathway winding up the hill

Each morning the sun eventually rises directly behind the shrine

Red Okinawan tiles line the roof of the shrine

The shrine overlooks the working class Norborikawa neighborhood of northern Okinawa City

Okinawans have a knack for using every single bit of available land for development. This seeming norm is sharply contrasted by the undeveloped jungle hilltops scattered throughout the neighborhoods of northern Okinawa City. The otherwise flat terrain and notable absence of other steep topography makes these hills special. Some are just undeveloped land. Others are created into small parks or are covered with Okinawan tombs and shrines. Sukubu Park in the Noborikawa neighborhood is a great example of a hilltop spared from full development for use as a community park and shrine. Setting aside a little bit of land for a greenery is important for Okinawans as are the spiritual beliefs that the shrines fulfill.