Going Solo in Japan – VISIT TO OKINAWA ( 2000 ) Last Updated: April 2, 2022

During our frequent visits to Japan, only once we had a chance to go to Okinawa.

Okinawa islands are located south of Kyushu island. Okinawa became famous after Second World War. Besides Hokkaido, Tohoku, Shikoku and Kyushu, Okinawa is the 5th island of Japan. And it is the smallest island.

A group of Islands forms Okinawa prefecture. They are further divided into 3 groups. Yaeyama Islands, Miyako Islands, and Okinawa islands.  Okinawa Island is the biggest among them and the capital city is Naha.

The year we went to Okinawa an International G 7 meeting was held just before we went there. We flew into Airport at Naha which was decorated with lovely Orchids.

 We were taken straight to a hotel full of tourists, mainly from Taiwan. We were a little disappointed with the hotel.

The next day we went to Urasoe hospital where my husband was invited to teach for 3 days. There we were given the good news that the next day we can transfer to Laguna resort. This was a beautiful hotel with a nice swimming pool.

VISIT TO  ISHIGAKI

The highlight of this trip is a visit to Ishigaki island. This is the westernmost island in the group of Okinawa island. It is said that one can see the lights of Taiwan from here on a clear night.

Weather over Okinawa island is very unpredictable and there are frequent typhoons. As a result air journey becomes very unpredictable. When we reached Ishigaki a doctor friend who had stayed with us in Mumbai received us at the airport. On reaching he took us around the small town before we reached his home.  We knew the family well and stayed with them. He had nicely planned our trip. We reached on Friday. The next day one of his colleagues took us to a resort Club Med on Kabira beach. Kabira beach has the most beautiful turquoise water.

There were big swimming pools. To do snorkeling people were taken further Into the sea. We had done snorkeling at Fifi island near Phuket earlier without much success.

There was a session going on for exercise in the swimming pool. So we jumped into the swimming pool and joined. The next day our friend picked us up from the resort.

Last day we visited three smaller Islands. Most enjoyable was a buffalo cart ride to Yubu Island. On Iriomote Island we took a mangrove cruise on the Nakama River followed by a stroll in the botanical garden and taking a bus tour through the Village of Taketomi Island. The trip to the third island is topped off with the sight of magical star-shaped sand and beautiful scenery.

The next day we flew back to Kumamoto on Kyushu Island.