The sun, the sand, and the sea. In idyllic and placid Okinawa, the scenery is always gorgeous and the atmosphere life-affirming. Many locals and foreigners are drawn to this paradise on earth as it is so very much different from mainland Japan. Here are the places I would visit again in a heartbeat.
1) Kokusai Street
To feel the pulse of free-spirited Okinawa and mingle with jovial Okinawans, a trip down Kokusai Street is not to be missed. Stretching for 1.6 kilometer, this shopping street is where Okinawans do their daily shopping, fulfill their retail impulses and catch up with family and friends. Not only does it showcase local restaurants and Makishi Public Market where you can eat Okinawan delicacies to your heart's content, you can also buy uniquely Okinawan souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Some Okinawan dishes you have to try include taco rice, Okinawa soba and goya champuru (stir-fried bittergourd with tofu, eggs and pork).
2) Cape Manzamo
Cape Manzamo is one of Okinawa's best-loved scenic spots - and it is not hard to understand why. You are immersed in Mother Nature, with huge expanses of grassland and sea stretched before you for as far as your eyes can see. Facing the East China Sea to the west, Cape Manzamo has the ability to uplift your spirits and make your worries melt away. Be sure to find the "Elephant Rock", which is a cliff that is serendipitously shaped like an elephant's trunk! I am not embarrassed to share that I have taken a photograph in front of it - and I highly recommend that you do so.
3) Shuri Castle
Shuri Castle used to strike an awe-inspiring sight as its design is distinctive from the rest of Japanese castles. Its façade is an eye-catching red - probably a nod to how the rulers, the Ryukyu Kingdom, were heavily influenced due to trade relations with China. Unfortunately, Shuri Castle was largely destroyed due to a fire in 2019. So why do I highlight this landmark then? Well, although the castle itself was destroyed, the outer walls and castle gates emerged unscathed from the fire. Hence, you could still catch a glimpse of Shuri Castle's majesty. More importantly, Shuri Castle is under reconstruction these days, so showing up to visit it would go towards boosting the morale of the locals.
Thank you for reading! Have you been to Okinawa before? Or does any of your travels remind you of Okinawa?
All photos are taken by yours truly.
