Okinawa... The home of the best beaches in Japan

The Okinawa Prefecture consists of hundreds of Islands in a chain over 1,000 kilometres long. Okinawa’s capital is Naha, and that’s where we flew into Friday morning. It was an early start that day, 3:30am…but luckily it was a three hour flight, so we were able to sleep (Thanks to out nerdy neck cushions).

After the end of World War II, Okinawa was under the United States Administration, for seventeen years. During the trusteeship rule the United States Air Force established numerous military bases on the Okinawa Islands. Even as we were driving around the Islands capital, Naha, we saw lots of US Soldiers driving Army trucks… In 1972 The US handed the administration back to the Japanese Government, but there are still 27,000 Military personnel living on the Islands, along with their 22,000 family members. One of the biggest influences the US has had on Okinawa is SPAM!! It’s everywhere.. . and even in their traditional dishes… like it’s been around for many years!! Even in the Breakfast Buffet…it’s all about the spam.

First stop was the Toyota hire car section of the airport, to pick up my comfortable hire car. Everyone else was hiring tiny two cars, but we had a four door sedan, that’s Shota’s parents had booked in advance. Next stop was lunch, as Shota and his Father are always hungry. Then finally after all these boring tasks were taken care of we were free to see some of Okinawas sights! We first visited the Okinawa marine park, stopping to watch a Dolphin Show.

Now I have seen Dolphins before…in the wild. As Shota and I settled in for the show we became less interested and more concerned about the Dolphins. Images from the Documentary “The Cove” kept popping into Shota’s head…. I haven’t yet watched it, but have been told about it, and was not impressed. So sadly we were not that taken with the Dolphin Show.

Next was the most beautiful Aquarium in Japan. Having not been to many aquariums I was impressed by this one.

After the Aquarium, we took a walk down to one of beaches…. And found a crab (his photo is at the top of the page).

Later we made our way to the Hotel, which was literally on the beach! I was very impressed and couldn’t understand why the family hadn’t wanted to get back their earlier. It was a hot day, so sitting on the beach in front of the Hotel sounded ideal to me!! But It wasn’t up to me and Shota’s parents were paying for this whole Holiday. After quick snaps on the balcony we had 30mins to get ready for Dinner, then we were off for some yummy Okinawa food!!

Okinawa has quite a few dishes that are only eaten there. This is due to the fact that a lot of the vegetables are only found on their Islands. My favourite was the sea grapes.. well that’s what they looked like. Tiny grapes full of delicious salty flavour… some might call them seaweed, but I don’t care I thought they were great! And I ended up eating them every day.  

Shota and I infront of our Hotel... can't get any closer to the water...

I am usually not a fan of Buffets, or Buffet Breakfasts…but I did enjoy our Breakfast at our first Hotel. Shota’s parents said that if I liked the one today then I will be Sooo impressed with the one the following day… I could hardly wait!

Everyone except me, using their chopsticks for Breakfast......

So full from Breakfast, we checked out from our Hotel and made our way to a place full of “Purple Sweet Potato” products. It tastes like sweet potato, but is purple and was developed in Okinawa, hence you can only buy it in Okinawa. **Shota also just informed me that it's only allowed to be made/grown in Okinawa...I guess thats what keeps bringing back the Tourists...

 Making the purple pie treats

 The end result

We opted for a Purple Sweet potato soft serve, and were not disappointed! It tasted great!!

Okinawa is also famous for their wonderful coloured glassware...

Then Shota realised he left his watch at the Hotel… so we headed back there to retrieve it. With his watch back on his wrist we headed towards the ruins of Nakagusuku castle (on a hill). This site is one of the only 14 World Heritage Sites in Japan.  

 Funny how I always manage to look like a GIANT next to Chisa's, Shota's Mother...

It was a hot day, so great for sightseeing!!   But we had a great time J And it wasn’t long before we had to get back to the airport to catch a flight to our next Island…. Miyako.