Day 4 : West Coast

We had our breakfast at Misomeshiya Marutama before leaving Naha city.

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Our first stop of the day is Cape Zanpa. Unfortunately, the light-house is under renovation. Another attraction is the biggest Shisa nearby.

Drove 8km north to Cape Maeda, the entrance to the blue cave, for another panoramic view. At the pavilion, we can comfortably enjoy the sound of the ocean and the sea breeze.

Move further north to Yachimum no Sato where potters sell their locally made pottery.

Lunch at the rest stop, Onna Station Nakayukui Market, the tropical snow ice is one of the most popular desserts among the tourists and locals.

After food, we went into the local fruit stall to get some mangoes and coincidentally run into my colleague from Taiwan.

Continue our journey to Cape Manzamou, where one of the cliff rock looks liked an elephant-truck.

Eating Umibudo is a must in Okinawa. One of the popular restaurant is Ganso Umi Grapes main store.

We stayed at the Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach for 3 nights.

Day 5 : Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

A day that typhoon bypass Okinawa. The hotel put up a notice with the typhoon information. Indeed is quite lucky for us as the typhoon change its direction toward Taiwan instead of approaching Okinawa.

While having our breakfast at the hotel, we watched the tree swayed. We changed the plan for the day and decided to visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

The Ocean Expo Park, which is the home for several marine lives including dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees. The aquarium is part of the park exhibition.

At the gigantic fish tank, we can observe whale sharks and manta rays swimming at touching distance.

Bise Fukugi Tree-lined street is by the seafront where you can explore the area by foot. The tree is planted close to one another to withstand the typhoon.

Kishimoto Shokudo’s main store, located near the Toguchi port, has been serving the traditional soba for over a hundred years. Indeed it is a flavorful bowl of soba.

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Day 6 : Kaichu Doro Scenic Drive

It is a sunny day, perfect weather for the Kaichu Doro Scenic Drive and to the four other islands which are Henzajima island, Miyagijima island, Hamahigajima island and Ikeijima island.

Stop by at the mid-point Umi no Eki Ayahashi rest station. The panoramic view at the lookout point is breathtaking and feel liked surrounded by the ocean.

We had chilled noodles with seagrapes and onigiri at the Ippukuya cafe. The view at its upper decks is spectacular overlooking Kaichu Doro.

The lookout point at the salt factory is another panoramic view of the ocean.

At the Ikei beach, we need to pay a small fee to enter. The sea is calmer here, very safe to swim. Many families are there with kids.

Have our dinner at a restaurant near to the hotel.

At the convenience store, we purchase a packet of fireworks and set up at the beach just behind our hotel. It is a rare opportunity for us as our home country does not allow such activities for safety reasons.