Okinawa the Japanese prefecture with a unique culture and twist.

Setting out once again to check off my fourteenth prefecture, this time I chose to fly to Okinawa, which is perhaps the most challenging prefecture to reach due to its location. Okinawa is renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches, palm trees, and an abundance of American cuisine and restaurant chains. The region is also home to many resorts and islands that can be explored by boat. Additionally, it features islands located within a dark zone, allowing for stunning starry skies with minimal light pollution. This makes it possible to see the Milky Way with the naked eye, and Ishigaki is very high on my list of places to visit for just that reason.

Okinawa is also renowned for having very good weather for most of the year due to its more southern position. However, Okinawa got the message I was visiting and decided it wanted to shower me with tropical rain the whole time. To say I am not salty would be an understatement.

The first thing I noticed upon arriving in Okinawa was how distinctly different it is from any other prefecture I had visited. Okinawa is quite large—so large that it took two hours by bus just to reach Nago, which is near the aquarium. This was still not at the northernmost point of the main island. In most other prefectures I've explored, you can typically travel from one side to the other in about the same time. However, that is not the case with Okinawa.

I recommend checking travel times from your hotel to the attractions you want to visit. This will help ensure you leave enough time and avoid over-planning your day. Additionally, be sure to check the schedule for the last bus returning from the attraction, as I almost missed it due to how early it departs. As a result of the travel times and the locations of the sights I wanted to see, I had to reduce my initial itinerary quite a bit. Buses can be delayed by a fair amount also so try to allow extra time for this.

I visited Naha and Nago and both locations had some beautiful scenery. Nago is further north and more rural. I was treated to some beautiful coastal scenery and mountains covered by forests that sprawled forever. There are a lot more overgrown bamboo forests thrown into the mix too which can give Okinawa a more mystical vibe. It certainly felt very different a tropical Japan mixed with American and western culture.

The variety of food available in convenience stores was quite different, as most stores include regional options to support local businesses and culture. For instance, the convenience stores in Okinawa offered more Western food options. Interestingly, they also sell fireworks, which was a first for me. In Japan, long hot summers are often spent visiting beaches in the evening, enjoying sparklers on the beach, or having a barbecue while listening to the sound of the waves crashing. This experience is high on my to-do list; unfortunately, the weather during my visit made it impossible to check this off.

Okinawa was the first prefecture where having limited Japanese skills was not an issue. Due to the military base and US presence. Many residents speak English, and numerous shops and restaurants provide information in English.

It's important to note that the experience on mainland Okinawa is very different from island life. Naha, the capital city, offers a lot but is quite busy. There's a long road that stretches for miles, featuring shops that cater to tourists, selling souvenirs and local cuisine at marked-up prices. Just outside of Naha, the American Village is a popular destination, where you'll find American-style diners and cuisine. The entire area has a theme park vibe, resembling Disneyland more than anything else American. However, it does provide opportunities for fun photos and can easily fill several hours of your day. If the weather had been better and I had more time, I would have enjoyed a longer walk along the beach and explored the area further. Nonetheless, I had the chance to try a local ice cream chain and fell in love with its strong flavours.

The local cuisine in Okinawa includes taco rice, Okinawa doughnuts and pork belly udon to name a few. These are all worth trying on your adventure. Taco rice also makes for something very different compared to the usual regional variation on ramen. More rural islands will also offer a range of fresh seafood dishes that can be enjoyed.

Hotel wise you will have plenty of choice in Okinawa from resorts to big internation hotel chains, renting a whole apartment Air BnB style and more. This was the fist time I saw hotels with pools appearing in my searches. It reminded me of my time booking short European getaways whilst I was still in the UK.

Todays blog is mainly to serve as an overview, and I will be following up with more specific blogs featuring the aquarium, the hotel experience and my food experiences even if limited.

Okinawa was a unique experience that offered a completely different vibe from what I was accustomed to. While Japanese culture was still present, it had notably evolved into something distinctive. There are still places where you can enjoy more traditional Japanese food, but the variety available here was much broader.

I had limited interactions with the people in Okinawa, but most of them were friendly. I had an interesting conversation with one of the restaurant owners who surprisingly expressed a desire to move to Saga. That was a very fun conversation, and I really enjoyed talking about Saga and promoting it.

The transport system in this prefecture is perhaps the most delayed I have ever encountered. They do not have a rail network, but they do have a monorail that connects limited areas. However, the monorail offers a fun experience and a chance to see the city from above. I enjoyed gliding through the buildings and observing the bustling city below.

I’m sad that I did not experience the sunny Okinawa I’ve heard so much about, but I’m grateful to have visited. I wish to return and explore Ishigaki Island next time.