Okinawa, the southernmost location in Japan. Known as a tropical resort, time flows slowly in Okinawa, where you can interact with locals and enjoy a sense of extraordinary travel. Isn't that the image everyone has?
However, when you ask travelers to Okinawa, you often hear phrases like "I crammed too much into my itinerary", "Everywhere I went was crowded", or "I ended up spending most of my time moving around".
Yes, it seems that many people are surprisingly not able to spend their time in Okinawa leisurely.
So this time, we asked Mr. Omine, who is from Okinawa and currently working at the JTB Okinawa branch, to share his local tips and thoroughly asked for his "local unique" and "personal recommendations" to make our long-awaited trip to Japan more enjoyable!
By the way, Mr. Omine is an Okinawan who values "cost performance" and "efficiency". That's why we want to ask him for his recommended "ways to spend time in Okinawa leisurely from the heart".
I don't really want to tell anyone, but I love Kumejima.
This time, we asked Mr. Omine, who is from Okinawa and lives in Okinawa, for his recommended spots.
"I believe that tourists tend to visit major places in Okinawa, such as the main island, remote islands, Ishigaki, and Miyako. Even as a local, I didn't know until I became an adult that Kumejima is the place where you can feel the original scenery of Okinawa in all its beauty."
Kumejima is the westernmost island in the Okinawa archipelago. It's a 30-minute flight from Naha, or about three and a half hours by ferry. From the spring of 2024, a high-speed boat is planned to be introduced, which will allow you to get there in as little as 60 minutes. The access is good and you can make a day trip, but it's recommended to stay overnight. For getting around the island during your stay, there are rental cars, buses, and taxis, so even those who don't drive can enjoy the island. Also, rental bicycles are available, and if you're up for it, you can cycle around the island, which is perfect for those who want to explore at a leisurely pace.
So, where are Mr. Omine's favorite places, who visits Kumejima two to three times a year?
"Eef Beach is not only beautiful with its blue glow, but also because it's a less populated island, you can quietly feel the wind and waves. There's also a campsite on Okinoshima, which is nearby, and it's just right for a little cycling. And then there's Uegusuku, which makes you feel like you've come to Machu Picchu. The climb is hard, but you can drive right up close, and the breathtaking view you get to see is the real charm of this place."
How about taking a break from your busy everyday life and rejuvenating both your body and mind on Kume Island?
When you come to Okinawa, which boasts a diverse food culture, there are plenty of things you must try!
The ability to enjoy various dishes is a characteristic of Okinawa's food culture. Mr. Omine, who lives in Okinawa, introduced us to some local gourmet recommendations and shops.
First of all, if you ask people from Kume Island, they will definitely recommend the famous Kume Island soba restaurant "Yanguwa". It's so delicious that you might not be able to get in without a reservation. Next, the most famous thing in Kume Island is the Kuruma prawn. Kuruma prawns, which are farmed in deep sea water, boast the highest production volume in Japan. There are various ways to eat Kuruma prawns, such as fried prawns and prawn soba, but Mr. Omine's top recommendation is grilled with salt! It's fresh, delicious, and irresistible!
And when it comes to representative souvenirs from Kume Island, it's miso cookies.
"The gentle sweetness and saltiness that you can eat forever is addictive, so when you come to Kume Island, I definitely want you to try it."
Mr. Omine has a lot of recommended gourmet food on the main island of Okinawa.
In the main island of Okinawa, Mr. Omine shared a lot of his personal gourmet recommendations such as "Furipper" in Nago City, which is known for its top-notch steak, "Asahisoba" in Naha City, a popular soba restaurant where you can enjoy everything from classic to unique variations, and "Hanaori Soba" in Yomitan Village, which is frequented by many Japanese celebrities.
If you're planning to go to Okinawa, be sure to take note of these.
Little-known customs and culture of Okinawa residents
Mr. Omine, who was born and raised in Okinawa, shared the unique characteristics of Okinawa residents.
"Basically, we have a laid-back personality, and everyone doesn't gather on time. Many people leave their homes at the meeting time. It's quite normal to be about 10 to 15 minutes late."
"We worship our ancestors, so we basically value them. Once a year, there is a Qingming Festival (Shimi) where relatives gather at the graves of their ancestors for cleaning and meals. To those who are not familiar, it may look like we're having a picnic at the cemetery. Also, while it doesn't exist in mainland Japan, we still celebrate the Lunar New Year in Okinawa."
According to Mr. Omine, there are unique customs and surprising characteristics of Okinawa, such as when you hear the sound of Eisa, people of all ages get excited and want to dance, or there are more people who prefer to have a BBQ while looking at the beautiful beach rather than swimming, or there are only unreadable place names and surnames.
Okinawa, one of Japan's representative tourist destinations, has its own unique landscapes and cultures on the main island and remote islands, as well as a variety of gourmet foods and souvenirs, and is bustling with tourists from both Japan and abroad all year round.
Among them, Mr. Omine, who values cost performance and efficiency, recommends Kumejima, which is easily accessible from Naha. There are only two traffic lights on the island, so there is hardly any traffic congestion. When you get off the plane, the sea spreads out in front of you, and the moment you arrive, you can feel a sense of peace.
For Mr. Omine, the most luxurious and happy time is not traveling long distances and visiting various spots, but being able to relax from the bottom of his heart without doing anything.
If you're looking for local information about Okinawa, be sure to follow the Instagram account 'okinawa_likes' run by Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Omine.
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