KODACHI / LAND, LIFE & EVIDENCE
Land and hazards in Okinawa: tsunami, surge, floods and slopes
Review several hazard layers and walk the actual evacuation route. Sea proximity or elevation alone cannot establish safety. Record the site position and the assumptions of each map.
A framework for the decision
- 01Hazard layers
- 02Evacuation route
- 03Design and operations
Editorial diagram. Confirm the sequence and responsibilities for the individual project.
01 / INSIGHT
Read each hazard separately
Tsunami, storm surge, flooding and landslides have different mechanisms and scenarios. Use GSI’s portal and current municipal maps. An uncolored area on one layer is not a statement of safety from every hazard.
02 / INSIGHT
Check the whole route
An access road may be affected even if a building is outside a mapped inundation area. Inspect gradients, steps, lighting and alternatives. Verify the municipality’s designated destinations rather than treating every shelter as suitable for every hazard.
03 / INSIGHT
Return the findings to the purchase plan
Conditions can affect layout, equipment position, insurance and operating guidance. Keep unpriced measures as unresolved items, not zero-cost assumptions. Mapping alone does not establish site-specific safety or building feasibility.
Before the consultation
| Item | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Map | Record parcel, hazard, scenario and update date. |
| Route | Check destinations and alternatives by day and night. |
| Plan | Identify design, operational and cost implications. |
Sources and authorities
Original publications are in Japanese. Confirm property-specific conditions with the responsible authority.
Continue your research
A second home in northern Okinawa: terrain, conservation and maintenance access
Check conservation boundaries, differences in ground level and the distance from maintenance teams against the same land parcel. A beautiful view does not establish that the proposed layout or its ongoing maintenance will work.
12 / GUIDEOkinawa land-use checks: farmland, forests, parks and landscapes
Land-use review can involve several independent systems. Check farmland, forest, park, landscape, heritage and earthworks requirements separately, then reconcile them against the same proposal.
13 / GUIDERoad access, boundaries and levels: documents to obtain before buying land
Road access, boundaries and changes in level require different records and professional checks. A visible road, wall or open area does not establish building eligibility or the extent of ownership.