Slow Life in Okinawa: A Subtropical Journey to

It was after midnight and when I arrived at my hotel room in Okinawa, I was barely visible from my Oceanview balcony, except for some flashing lights in the distance. I’ve travelled through 47 counties in Japan, but March 2023 marks my inaugural visit to the country’s remote island archipelago and I can’t wait to see during the day whether the island enjoys the hype as “Hawaii of Japan”.

Once an independent country called the Ricky Kingdom, which was then annexed and reformed into the southernmost county of Japan in 1879, the island’s geographical location in Eastern China has long made it a strategic trade post. Remnants of the past can be found today, from food to lion-like shisa statues that decorate the entire island’s houses and restaurants.

In recent years, it is well known that Okinawa or “Oki” is a military personnel serving at a US base and has become synonymous with longevity Thanks in large part to its role in the 2023 Netflix documentary”Living to 100: The Secret of the Blue AreaToday, since life expectancy has been observed, hotels throughout the island have a lifespan, providing guests with an opportunity to experience healthy, usually Blue area Retreat and experience.

Once it broke during the day, I ran away and what I found left a lasting impression. Despite its similarity to the natural beauty and slower speeds of Hawaii, it is the friendliness and lifestyle of the locals that leave a deep and lasting impression. This is everything you need to plan your visit.

what to do

The marine life and abundant biodiversity found near Okinawa make it a paradise for diving, snorkeling and sailing. Weather allows, and although summer is the best in terms of water temperature, you can technically do these activities throughout the year. The archipelago is also a popular beach destination. If you want to stay on dry land, fill Naha in Okinawa’s bustling capital Naha, where there is no shortage of souvenir shopping, jumps in car, local restaurants and markets. Tsuboya Street In Naha, it is a good area to pick up locally made ceramics.

Dating back to the 1300s, Shuri Castle It’s one UNESCO World Heritage Site. Currently, it is being renovated after the devastating fires in 2019, but you can still explore the grounds that provide incredible views of the main island. It is about 20 minutes’ drive away, Tamagusuku ruins It is considered a spiritual site.

On the Tohoku Peninsula in Okinawa Yambaru National Park It is a paradise for natural lovers and a great place for river hiking, hiking and canyons.

Where to live

A mile of coastline, Courtney Orn Opened in 2019, it is the perfect starting point for exploring the main island of Okinawa (also known as Okinawada). The resort complex is distributed among several buildings, and the rooms here are equally spacious, which is ideal for families and couples. As a solo traveler, I don’t mind the extra space spread. All-day dining in addition to beachfront visits and incredible on-site restaurant choices A house without a keyincredible breakfast and regional deliciousness agu Pork and Okinawa Goose Soba Pork Ribs are second to none. One of the best parts of staying in Halekulani is the immersive range Cultural ActivitiesThere are also opportunities to book diving and snorkeling tours on the hotel catamaran.

A sharp contrast between the Big Box Resort on the island, Hoshinoya Okinawa On the main island, it is a traditional Ruukyu-style boutique hotel that offers 100 spacious ocean villas, a healthy Italian-Japanese-Japanese fusion restaurant and dining in the interior blue area. The hotel is short and Yomitan’s pottery village is not to be missed (be sure to bring a lot of yen as many of Yomitan’s shops do not take credit cards). At the heart of the lush property is a Japanese-style studio offering traditional Ryukyu dance classes, guided meditation and karate classes in the hotel dojo. Horse riding on the beach and activities Blue area stay It comes with healthy Okinawan specialties like sea grapes, purple yams and peanuts Deserved Tofu is not to be missed.

Located on a private island near the main island. Kate Regent Saragaki IslandOkinawa is an excellent choice for families and groups. With 343 beachfront rooms, 6 restaurants and access to a private lagoon, the hotel is a popular spot for weddings, meetings and events. Don’t skip the chance to have a face or ryukyu compression treatment Spa Hanari.

If you are eager to take risks outside the main islands, His IrappMiyagi Okinawa Palace is a luxury collection hotel and is a 58-key beach resort on Irabu Island. The island is connected to Miyagi Island through Japan’s Irabu Bridge, which is known as Japan’s longest phoneless bridge. Open on March 1 Rosewood moat The brand is the first hotel to open in Japan and has 55 ocean and beachfront villas and houses, each with a private attraction pool. On site, guests will find four international restaurants and bars, as well as the infinity pool at the beach and Asaya spa, equipped with a treatment room, a yoga studio and a fitness center.

What to eat

Because they use wheat flour instead of buckwheat, Okinawan feces noodles are significantly different from the noodles you find anywhere else in Japan. Don’t skip them, especially if they are served with local Agu pork, you can Izakayas (a leisure bar that serves drinks and food) throughout the island. Kokusai-Dori Street is the main artery of Naha and is also a great place to try out a variety of obvious Okinawan snacks and drinks Awamoria unique Okinawan spirit, produced only on the archipelago.

Botanical gardens and vegetarian restaurants are everywhere in the Okinawa Islands. If you want to try authentic Okinawan cuisine, EMI has not been missed The Ogimi Village offers a menu of locally grown vegetables and delicious dishes, including bitter stir-fry and Okinawa-style pork. Book your reservation in advance and do not leave the island without sampling Shikwasaa lime-like citrus fruit grown here and is known for its health and healing properties.

When to go

Okinawa has a subtropical climate and is considered a year-round destination. There is no doubt that the best time to visit is April and May shoulders (except Golden Week In early May, it is a Japanese holiday in Japan), warm October and November, hotel prices are lower and tourists are fewer.

In January and February, the cherry blossoms bloom earlier than the island’s cherry blossoms. Winter is also the main Whale watch The season is here. The winter can be cold and some restaurants and businesses are still closed.

June to September are the hottest and wettest months. It is also the peak season of the tourism season, as beach players and diving enthusiasts all over the world enter the warm Okinawan waters. Summer is also the peak of typhoon season, so be prepared for rain and bad weather.

How to get there

The fastest and most direct way to reach Okinawa is to fly. Naha Airport is the main hub of Okinawa, with major airlines from Haneda Airport (HND) and Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT), including ANA and JAL, as well as several regional airlines. The flight from Tokyo to Naha is about three hours.

Kagoshima, mainland Japan, can also travel to Okinawa every day every other day. The ferry between Japan and the Naha mainland takes about 25 hours, and times and routes tend to vary according to the weather.

Visiting Tips

• Bus, taxis and Single track All available when you land at Naha Airport. If you are planning to explore the main island yourself, or you are planning to visit it, it is best to arrange shipping in advance. Renting a car is a great, cost-effective option, especially if you plan to cover a lot of distance and don’t want to rely on a taxi, which can be difficult to find outside of NAHA.
• Although most hotels here speak English, the language barrier may be steeper than other Japanese cities. It’s a good thing to learn some basic Japanese words from it Konnichiwi (Hello), Arigatou (Thank you informally), two (Yes), Oh, then (Please/I want) and ikura-desu-ka (How much?). Just in case, it’s best to make Google’s translation convenient.
• If you plan to do a scuba diving trip in Okinawa, you must be able to provide effective diving certification in advance.
• Similar to mainland Japan, Okinawa will not expect tips. While many restaurants and stores accept credit cards, the best calendar is a good idea, especially for taxis and smaller handicraft stores, which may not accept credit cards or dollars.