Representative examples of traditional settlements
in the Pacific Rim islands

The Ryukyu Kingdom, which developed its own unique culture while being influenced by Japan and China, developed villages with many ingenious features, such as stone walls and windbreaks around red-tiled houses, in order to adapt to natural conditions such as a subtropical climate with frequent typhoons. Additionally, since ancestor worship was popular in the Ryukyu Kingdom, each village established a shrine to worship their ancestors, fostering community unity. Another important aspect is that the landscape is closely linked to the folk culture that developed under the Ryukyu Kingdom, such as folk songs and food. These villages provide insight into the typical settlement patterns of the Pacific Rim islands and the rich culture that has developed within these settlement landscapes.