Biorhythms of Tourist Urban Space

Visualization on Naha Kokusai-Dori Street

Abstract

This paper utilizes computer-based visualization techniques to explore the rhythms of local life in the Kokusai-Dori Street area of Okinawa Prefecture. Kokusai-Dori is a prominent tourist destination in the prefecture, attracting not only local residents but also numerous domestic and foreign tourists. Folklore studies have traditionally relied on narrative interviews with residents to understand the characteristics of urban life. However, this paper critiques the conventional method, deeming it potentially ineffective for this specific field. The reason lies in the method's inability to unveil the structures and patterns of the entire area, representing the cumulative actions of an unspecified number of people. Consequently, this paper proposes a research method focused on collecting and visualizing a substantial amount of data tailored explicitly for this purpose, advocating for its effectiveness.