Okinawa 2014

Our family went on a four day four night trip to Okinawa. My sister who is studying in Australia came to Japan this week for her summer holidays. Right now is off peak travel season, in the middle of the university and school semester, and with workers still working. Last year during the summer holidays, my dad and I went on a road trip together. The trip duration was similar, but the price is a completely different story. The price that the four of us paid in total was not more than how much my dad and I paid in total on our trip last year. In short, our trip this time round was half price. 

Many people said that it's not a good idea to go to Okinawa during winter because it's too cold to go to the beach. But I think there are many good reasons to go to Okinawa in winter. Firstly, if I'm going to be anywhere in Japan during this chilly season, unless we're going to the snow I'd rather be somewhere above zero degrees. Secondly, the sun is not so intense so it's much more pleasant sightseeing outdoors, and it's comfortable inside a car even without turning on the air con.

Below is a map of where we stayed each nigh over the four nights. 

The purple pin is our first night (the airport is the purple patch in the bottom left corner), the green pin is where we stayed the second night, the red pin is where we stayed the third night, and the final night we stayed at a hotel not far from the purple pin.

Activities wise, we didn't do as much this time around compared to the previous time. The males and the females in our family had quite different priorities on this trip. It meant quite frequent occurrences of conflicts of interests in our travel plan. Having already been once, my dad and I compromised on our initial plan to meet the pace and interests of all the family members. 

Day 1: Arrival, dinner

We arrived fairly late the first day, the sun having just set, so we didn't go around much. The highlight of the day was dinner. We ate at a place a friend from church recommended, called Sangmi.

Maybe it was because we weren't used to the instructions given by the GPS, but we had a really hard time finding the location. We were listening to the GPS, but for some reason we just couldn't locate the restaurant. In our hunger everyone's impatience was mounting, and we were this close to giving up and settling for dinner at one of the tens of restaurants we passed on the way in order to eat at this one. However, my mum and my sister were keen on checking out this recommended place, so thanks to them, in the end we found it. 

You'll notice from the photo that the shop interior and exterior is very bright compared to the surroundings. Even though we didn't notice the shop name written on the corner of the building front, as soon as we approached it, I had a feeling it was this shop, because of the aura of warmth it emanated. There was nothing in the vicinity quite as bright as this shop.

The food was presented with fine taste, and also tasted excellent. It was not quite traditional Japanese food, and definitely not customary Western food. I don't know how to classify it, but it was delicious, and healthy, with class but of a modest kind, if you can imagine that.

There was also a guestbook. Or should I say, there were five, beginning from the shop opening 12 years ago. All the people who left comments seemed highly satisfied with their experience. What's more, most were first timers. Talk about a great first impression. Each member of our family also left a comment. See if you can find it the next time you drop by :)

Day 2: Bridge drive, Okinawa Peace Park, Outlet shopping

Buffet breakfast on the first day. There was actually a lot more variety than this, but after taking this first photo, I was more interested in eating than taking photos.

We went on a spectacular bridge drive across Kouri bridge, and we took a panorama shot from the car halfway across, but I think the photo is still in my dad's camera so you'll have to wait till I can get it from him.

Panorama shot taken at the lookout at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park. My dad and I came here on our last trip to Okinawa also, but it was far too hot to wander around outside. This time round, we were able to enjoy the breathtaking views looking out to the sea. It's hard to imagine it was once teeming with American warships.

Rows of tombstones engraved with the names of those who lost their lives in the war, both American and Japanese alike. Almost all of the tombstones are engraved with Japanese names.

Day 3: Manzamou Promontory, Hiji Falls

Buffet breakfast on the second day. Very different variety to the first day, and very tasty.

Delicious lunch with various famous foods from Okinawa, including Okinawa soba noodle, Okinawa pork, sea grapes, and fish.

We had made no plans for dinner, and had no idea where we could find a good restaurant. Totally as a chance encounter, we came across the restaurant Ishinagu. We couldn't have found a better place to have dinner that night. You will soon understand why when you see the array of cuisine.

The total price of the meal was less than what we'd pay for an average dinner at an Izakaya, yet the food volume and taste was amazing. Highly recommended if you ever drop by this area.

Day 4: Churaumi Aquarium, first sakura of the year 

Buffet breakfast on the third day. By this time we were starting to get sick of eating buffet breakfasts.

Main stop of the day, Churaumi Aquarium. My dad and I already visited this place last year, but we didn't get to see everything, because it was so big. So together as a family, we dived into the deep sea experience once again. It was thoroughly worth our while. Here are a few snapshots of our time there.

Sea of Tropical Fish, feeding time

Petting pool

Whale shark feeding time. There are three whale sharks in this aquarium, and this is the only aquarium in the world that exhibits whale sharks. The centre attraction of Churaumi Aquarium.

We saw the first cherry blossoms (Sakura) for the year! It is unthinkable in Tokyo for the cherry blossoms to bloom so early. Generally they bloom around April, coinciding with the start of the new Japanese academic/working year. Only in Okinawa do cherry blossoms bloom so early. This was a special experience indeed.

Day 5: Back home

We flew back at noon. My sister still hadn't had enough of shopping (will she ever?) so that's how we killed the time waiting for our flight. At least she got up on time today.

My dad and I (and likely my mum too) enjoyed visiting the various sights and attractions of Okinawa. My sister, probably enjoyed the shopping more than anything. All in all, we made some great memories as a family in Okinawa.

Coming of Age Day 2015

In Japan, the second Monday of January each year is Coming of Age Day. The nation holds a formal ceremony commemorating those who turned 20 over the past year, to congratulate the transition from childhood to adulthood. The age 20 holds special significance in Japanese culture. Unlike most countries in the world, the official age of adulthood (and subsequently liberation from the need for parental consent) is 20.

Some pictures taken of the Coming of Age ceremony in Funabashi.

This event is more of a formality than a mark of actual change in life situation. The vast majority of Japanese people pursue tertiary studies after graduating from high school, and that takes place around the age of 18. That means that for the vast majority of participants at the Coming of Age ceremony are completing their second year of a four year university degree (six for medicine) - hardly a transition period. Due to such contradictions and subsequent social implications, there has been debate over whether to change the official age of adulthood to 18, like the rest of the world.

2015 church celebratory lunch gathering

In Japan, almost everyone returns home for the new year's holiday. Together with those whose home town is Tsukuba, or who didn't return home this year, we celebrated the dawning of the new year with home cooking and Osechi. Also a reminder to those back home, it is winter in Japan during new year's :) 

 The above photo is Osechi. There are many different varieties of osechi. This one is apparently French-inspired. In any case, it was delicious.

The pot in the top half of the picture is wild boar stew. I believe this stuff can't be found in stores. A relative of someone from church over in the Kansai region sent over some game that they caught. Pretty cool. And very tasty too.

The pot on the bottom half  is Zoni. It was very tasty too.

You can see deer meat being cooked in this photo. Deer meat also can't be bought. This particular deer was hunted, again by someone's relative from the Kansai region. Deer tasted very unique. It was very full-bodied and aromatic, even without using any sauce. Very different from pork, which is bland without any seasoning.