This is our first very trip to Japan, and what a way to start off with Okinawa, a Japanese prefecture comprising in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan’s mainland. Nicknamed the Japanese Hawaii, it is not difficult to see the influence of chinese and americans on this sunny island.
Naha Airport
Thanks to Jetstar, visitors can finally get to Okinawa on a 5-hour direct flight from Singapore. The Naha Airport is very clean and neat.
As usual, we would hit the brochures rack after clearing the customs. We forgotten to bring our itinerary and the travel guides were really a life-saver.
We would be driving but not on our first day. The length of Okinawa is about 100km from North to South so driving is easy and a must to visit more attractions. However, we heard that the Monorail is very efficient and connect conveniently to Naha City. It would be a shame not to try the Monorail as a tourist.
On our way to the monorail, we were fascinated by the stores that we spent about 2 hours browsing through the lovely japanese products!
Guessed we were not the only one, there were visitors glued to the Naha airport shopee.
A must-try taro tart from Okinawa.
Okinawa Urban Monorail
The Okinawa Urban Monorail, also known as Yui Rail, is a monorail line in Naha.
We bought day-tickets valid for 24-hour where we could take limitless rides. It cost about SGD35 for 4 of us. The time will start the moment the ticket is being tapped.
The seats were kind of low but the ride was very smooth, especially with the playing of lovely music during each announcement.
Our accommodation is Mercure Okinawa Naha which is right in front of the Yui Monorail Station“Tsubogawa”.
There’s our hotel, so near!
Mercure Okinawa Naha
We booked this hotel because it was one of the cheapest we could find in Naha and it was close to the city. The hotel room was small but we decided to stay here cos’ it has a car rental counter at the hotel lobby. We could collect and return the car over here.
Rented our hybrid (which we would share more later) from DH Rental Car.
Kokusaidori Street
Kokusaidōri, literally “International Road”) is Naha‘s main street, stretching for roughly two kilometers through downtown Naha.
This is the iconic spot for photography in Naha main street, just outside the monorail station.
Look at these little children on an excursion and they were having a sing-along session.
Souvenir stores selling Okinawa goodies.
Kokusaidori is lined by restaurants, cafes and departmental stores. It is similar to the Orchard Road of Singapore. Most stores would close by 10pm.
Here is where we can find special Calbee products. The exterior is brightly-colored and instagram-worthy for many hipsters.
Okinawa is sunny and warm, so there is not a need to bring thick clothing during the summer.
This is our favourite place for meals – YUI Garden.
The food were amazing cheaper compared to the streets and the quality were superb.
We had our lunch here.
Do you find such prices in Singapore?
Heiwa Dori
Heiwa dori is a covered shopping arcade featuring many shops, supermarkets and convenience stores that sell beauty products and local snacks.
A certain allure to this picture – a life of the locals.
And we tried the local snacks…
About $1 per piece.
Small fish market at the corner.
It cost about $85 for a steamed crab. Not cheap.
But it’s the walking along the streets and exploring little alleys that makes discovering Okinawa so special.
Just finding joy in the little things. Click here to follow Katong Kids Inc Facebook Page to stay tune on the next travel post.
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