Street Snap #21 Koza Crossroads Area (Okinawa vol.7)

A few steps away from the main streets, Koza reveals its quiet soul.

Just a step away from the main street led into quiet residential areas. Daily life was present. Because of this, the main street did not become a stage for tourists. It remained a part of real life. Many of the shops were not opened by outside investors. They were born from local life. This gave the place a sense of balance and sustainability.

Time felt different in Koza. Shops opened late. Buses did not come exactly on schedule. People were not in a hurry. But this was not frustrating. It felt as if time itself mattered less. There was an ease in how people related to it.

Most of all, I felt that no one had drawn a perfect plan for this city. In places like Tokyo, everything is designed with precision. People unconsciously live within that structure. In Koza, the imperfections spoke louder. There were empty lots, overgrown buildings, renovated shops, and spaces left untouched. The city had changed with time, not through control.

Koza is full of layers. Time, nature and architecture, American presence and Okinawan life, the city and the home. These elements are not in conflict. They coexist. You can feel it without thinking. And that quiet richness made me feel something rare. ■

All photos in this article were taken with a RICOH GR III and edited in Lightroom.

All images are protected by copyright. Please contact me for usage requests.

Explore the full Okinawa series:

Vol.1 Journey to Naha

Vol.2 Naha Tomari Port

Vol.3 Sakaemachi Market

Vol.4 Koza Cityscape-1

Vol.5 Koza Cityscape-2

Vol.6 Koza Park Avenue

Vol.7 Koza Crossroads

Vol.8 Naha Fukushuen Garden

Vol.9 Naha Beach & Departure