Okinawa - Jan 2015

[HotSpring]

Saw DS88's trip report and decided to post mine too!

Link to my itinerary: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4gqcs-rJ1R9QmoxX3hQX09vMWs/view?usp=sharing

This was a short and spontaneous trip. It started off with a promo on Jetstar for Taipei so I just booked without any planning. However I've been to Taipei a few times before so I started looking for other places to venture. Chanced upon this budget air called Peach that flies between Taoyuan and Okinawa. During promo period it can be as low as S$100 one way (Took EVA in the end as it wasn't promo period).

I strongly recommend Okinawa as a side trip from Taiwan!

Day 1
Rented a Z4 from DIREX. They offer free transfers between the airport and their shop in a stretch limo too. Rates are very competitive and I feel driving a convertible is the way to go in Okinawa.

We booked our accommodation from AirBNB. It's a nice compact 2 storey house with a sea view. It's a waste that we did not spend much time in it as we spend most of the time on the road.

 

[HotSpring]

Day 1

After settling down, we drove to the city center (Makishi Public Market) for a walk about.

Pork burger! Nom Nom

After lunch we went to see the Gyokusendo Caves and also the traditional Okinawan Eisa drum dance. The beat is quite addictive.

After walking around in the humid caves, it's time to unwind in an onsen! There's one at Yuinchi Hotel that's open to public. It's the best Okinawa has to offer... mai hiam...

Nice sea view from a high vantage point where the hotel is located

For dinner, we tried some local beef. OMGWTFBBQ!! I swear they're another species altogether... I think they are fattened up unicorns. Anyway, famous brand beef like those from Kobe originated from this region where the cattle is exported to different parts of Japan. The pork is excellent as well.

Check out the marbling!

 

[HotSpring]

Day 2

Drove up north on the second day for some whale watching and diving to see whale shark.

Diving center

Whale watching in choppy water. They're quite elusive! Only managed to see one for a few seconds after hours of searching

During the break between diving and whale watching we went to Cape Zanpa. There's a small tourist center there and a manufacturing plant for some snacks. Some seasoned divers just parked their vehicles there and walked down into the sea and disappeared!

People fishing from the cliff

Local soba with sea grapes!

Turquoise water everywhere!

 

[HotSpring]

Day 2

More beef for dinner!

I don't even...

After dinner we went for Sakura viewing. Due to the really packed schedule, I could only slot it in the evening. There were supposed to be some carnivals going on but there was no information on the timing online. We went too late and everything was closing.

Sakura viewing starts from January in Okinawa; the first place to see in Japan.

That's all! Early morning flight the next day back to Taoyuan. There's a lot more to explore in Okinawa and the surrounding islands. Will definitely go back again.

 

[TehCow]

Hi, interested to know how many days did you rent the car and how much in total?

Can i also have the link for the airbnb house?

Thanks!

 

[HotSpring]

the car's from http://direx-rent.com/okinawa/
they usually offer a huge discount when you book just a month before.
can't remember how much I paid for the car. should be around 30000 yen bao gah liao for 3d2n rental.

here's the house: https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/1040305

 

[stars87]

Nice. What convertible was it ?

 

[HotSpring]

Nice. What convertible was it ?

BMW Z4. great for the tiny parking lots there!

Also did a lot of convenient store hopping with it. There's always one around every corner... those stand alone type and can park right outside. Always go in see see look look at all the snacks and drinks

 

[stars87]

BMW Z4. great for the tiny parking lots there!

Also did a lot of convenient store hopping with it. There's always one around every corner... those stand alone type and can park right outside. Always go in see see look look at all the snacks and drinks

Nice. I do exactly the same thing. If I ever go back to Okinawa, id do exactly the same thing.

I've heard from my host in zamami island in summer, like August, you can see the entire milky way on a clear island. Someday I'd go back for that.

Glad u shared your pics.one of my dreams to go in Jan for sakura there.

The water must have been chilly. I went swimming in may without a wetsuit. Got scratched on coral. Will never do that again.

 

[Deathskull88]

Wow, you really drive in style lol. I would never pay that kinda money on an overseas rental car, especially not in Naha traffic lol

 

[darkmatt]

Nice. I do exactly the same thing. If I ever go back to Okinawa, id do exactly the same thing.

I've heard from my host in zamami island in summer, like August, you can see the entire milky way on a clear island. Someday I'd go back for that.

Glad u shared your pics.one of my dreams to go in Jan for sakura there.

The water must have been chilly. I went swimming in may without a wetsuit. Got scratched on coral. Will never do that again.

see the milky way? what do u mean?

 

[stars87]

Apparently Okinawa latitude is very conducive for star gazing.

I went in may at low season to zamami island. This was in 2011 after the tsunami and Japan was in a micro recession.

The room I stayed in was a beautiful glass fronted twin bedder. Outdoor shared showers but perfect to sleep in after a long day of cycling.

I noticed two Jacuzzis outside the room so I asked my host what were they for.

She said in July/August is peak season for most Japanese to travel to Naha.they were purpose built for stargazing. Soak outside in the great outdoors and soak in the stars

The skies tend to be clear and you can see the whole milky way on good nights. Zamami is in a tiny little island town, 1.5-2h away from Naha by ferry. Very little light pollution.

They also have a small indigenous species of black lizard.look like small mini Godzilla.all over the island.

 

[stars87]

This one

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Hotel...ri_gun_Okinawa_Prefecture_Kyushu_Okinawa.html

 

[TehCow]

the car's from http://direx-rent.com/okinawa/
they usually offer a huge discount when you book just a month before.
can't remember how much I paid for the car. should be around 30000 yen bao gah liao for 3d2n rental.

here's the house: https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/1040305

thanks! do we need to know japanese to be able to rent from them ? or English will do ?

 

[HotSpring]

thanks! do we need to know japanese to be able to rent from them ? or English will do ?

I did the booking from the website with the help of google translate and they will contact you via email shortly (in english, but probably through google translate as well). After a couple of correspondence and it's done!

The guy at the shop can speak decent English to guide you through the process and explanation about the car.

Remember to get your International driving permit to drive in Japan!

 

[zened88]

damn thats a nice car! lovely trip bro.

 

[peacex]

whats the temperature like in jan? im going to taipei this dec for countdown, maybe i can extend my trip and do okinawa (i see you did that!)

 

[HotSpring]

whats the temperature like in jan? im going to taipei this dec for countdown, maybe i can extend my trip and do okinawa (i see you did that!)

Yes you should!

Temperature hovers around 20 Deg C in the day and around 15 Deg C at night. It's very comfortable and just a cardigan will do. It's also ok to do diving with a wet suit. There are some mountains that you can drive up to where temperatures can be around 10 Deg C at night.

 

[Kusanagi]

hey hotspring, i'm planning a trip to okinawa and might be making a booking with DIREX

however, their prices seem abit different?

i saw that they have a promotion if i were to book i november, but when i made a reservation the prices are still the usual price, 6days 5nights for a Z4 is around 68k yen with insurance

the promo is suppose to be half if i'm not wrong about the promo, would you be able to advise?

 

[mac_oasis]

ill be heading to Okinawa this Dec and was wondering if should go there purchase data sim card or rent mifi from SG?