It was not quite the beach holiday I was expecting, but it was an amazing break and escape from everything.
Day 1 - 17 Jan 2019
We landed in Naha at 8am in the morning. I had rented a car from OTS, and it was easy to find their staff at the airport. We had to take the bus to the car rental about 20min away, and then we were off! Our first stop was to Makishi Market. But it was too early in the morning and most shops weren't open. So we just shopped around until it was 11+ then we had lunch. Soba with pork ribs.
Next stop was Cape Maeda. The weather was pretty tragic and overcast so the scenery wasn't great. In fact my parents couldn't even stand the cold for more than 10min and headed back to the car really quickly. Luckily, I didnt book the snorkelling trips.
Then we continued to Onna to check into our hotel, Okinawa Spa Resort EXES. It's super awesome posum. Highly recommended if you're going to Okinawa. From the start, we felt treated like VIPs as they valet parked our car, then served us welcome drinks while the check in staff explained all the details and showed us to our room. Since it was raining, we decided to just enjoy the huge ass room with 3 double beds + a tatami area + a huge balcony area, 1 outdoors and 1 indoors. And enjoyed our complimentary spa access. We went at a time where there was no one else so suuper shiok.
Then headed 30min north to Ufuya for our first dinner! I'd made a booking online and was literally the first customer in, so we chose the best seat with the nicest views, next to the waterfall. Ordered 2 shabu shabu sets, which was more than enough for 3 of us. Suuuper full but super satisfying. Another must go in Okinawa imo.
Day 2 - 18 Jan 2019
Woke up early for our 7am breakfast. Woah the buffet spread is one of the most impressive I've ever seen. There's the usual pancakes, toast, eggs, cereal. The bread was interesting cos they have things like seaweed bread and sweet potato bread and various other unique types which my mum had a lot of fun trying. And the Japanese food selection was INCREDIBLE. There were stations to make your own soba or Japanese rice as well!
Headed to Motobu port for parasailing! Took awhile to find the correct place but finally found it. My dad went with me, and there was a family of Koreans. It was super cold up there but super shiok! And we were super lucky that we booked parasailing on the clearest day with blue skies!
Next stop was the Churaumi Aquarium, which had the most incredible fish on display. Managed to catch the dolphin show as well. Also managed to explore the Native Okinawa Village, which is part of the whole Expo exhibition.
And then headed to Nakijin castle and the museum. Would've been nicer if we came a week later because the cherry blossoms would have bloomed. Only managed to catch a couple of trees with the flowers. Also finally tried Blue Seal ice cream, which is EVERYWHERE in Okinawa.
Then chionged to Kouri island. Managed to buy the famous Kouri shrimp from this very aesthetic looking van, but didnt make it in time to go up the tower for the views. But luckily, we still managed to stop near a beach and see the beautiful sunset.
Headed back to our hotel to have the shrimps for dinner. We got original and butter sets, that were not very different at all, so don't waste your money and just get the original haha.
We also had access to the "sister hotel" next door, where we headed for dessert.
Then went for spa again! LOL there was a fire alarm but it was only in Japanese so we didn't understand and headed to the spa, where the staff were trying (and failing) to tell us that we couldn't go in cos the fire alarm rang. It was a blessing cos the alarm chased everyone out so when I went in, it was empty again!
Day 3 - 19 Jan 2019
Amazing hotel breakfast again. I was super impressed they actually changed the spread of Japanese dishes. I've hardly seen hotel breakfast buffets change their spreads.
We chilled in the hotel, before checking out and heading to Cape Manzamo. Unfortunately, grey skies :(
Next stop was American Village! Went shopping at aeon and all the hipster stores. Saw a queue for some ice cream and fries and joined it cos we're typical Singaporeans. The food was surprisingly good and very instagrammable. Headed to Sunset Beach as well to enjoy the views.
Then continued on our journey back to Naha to check into Rihga Hotel. This room was much much smaller than the previous one as they squeezed in one more full sized bed.
It was about a 10min walk to Kokusai Dori, the main shopping street in Naha, to shop and buy more food!
Had dinner at Yunangi, and tried traditional okinawan fare like sea grapes and bitter gourd. The squid ink risotto was just amazing.
Day 4 - 20 Jan 2019
We had the Pablo cheese tarts we bought the previous day for breakfast, then headed to the former Navy Underground Headquarters. It's veryyy interesting seeing a museum on the war from the other perspective. The way things are phrased makes Japan sound so innocent. 'Japan was plunged into war'....more like Japan started the war lol. It was all about how the Americans bombed them and Japanese suffered and committed suicide and the Okinawan people had a terrible time.
Then headed to Shuri castle. Had a bit of trouble finding parking at first, but finally found the huge underground carpark that is the nearest. Visitors need to remove their shoes to enter the exhibit area. Halfway, there was a tea shop to try some traditional biscuits with tea so we had that. Just finished up the castle visit and then it started raining. Drove to Sui Don Chi for lunch - tonkastu and shabu shabu. Yumm.
After that was a 30min drive to Okinawa world for the caves of stalactites and stalagmites. It's impressive because it's super duper long. The cave exit leads to a little village selling tourist trap things lol. Managed to catch the Eisa performance too! It only happens at stipulated timings so be sure to check while planning your visit.
On the way back, we stopped by OHarcorte bakery to buy bread for the next day's breakfast since our flight was at 9am so we needed to return our car at 630am.
Our last dinner was at a little traditional place called Hamaton, run by a couple. The lady boss was super cute and each time she served food, she would explain. And then I was waiting for all the food to arrive to take pics but she was so appalled that we weren't eating that she ended up cutting up the pork ribs for us. Ordered soba, tempura, sushi platter, pork ribs and drinks for everyone (its compulsory for a drink for every diner in izakaya) for a very affordable 50 bucks.
Day 5 - 21 Jan 2019
This morning, had to return the car at 630am. But we reached around 640am, then had to wait for the bus and the bus only left at 715, AND got stuck in a massive jam. Lol was abit worried we were gonna miss the check in lol. Luckily, reached at 745 and chionged to the check in for our 9am flight. And then while we were queuing at customs, I saw a korean lady waving, so I thought she was waving to the korean family in front of us. Until my dad saw them and realised it was the korean family from our parasailing!
Jetstar japan really weighs every single bag lol. Luckily I bought baggage because I'm kiasu.
We spent 3.5k in total for 3 people, which is super affordable imo. Flights were about $300+ per person. Hotels were $300+/night for really good hotels, and our meals were also about $50+ bucks for a whole lotta food. Even car rental is cheap. it was 200 bucks for 4 days, which is half of that in Europe. Would totally consider going back in the future if I have a few days off to relax because it's truly a serene place with good food and hospitality.