Traditional Okinawa houses are charming and connect to the human spirit. However most of the postwar construction is pretty appalling. I recently talked talked to the publisher of Okinawa ni Sumu (Living in Okinawa) magazine. His current issue has a beautiful example of blending a traditional form with contemporary construction. http://www.okinawa-sumu.com/book01/index.html (the page uses Adobe Flash and you must click through to see the photos)