After a long hiatus from reviewing, and leaving my previous review of Japan unfinished, I felt a pang of guilt. However, this time I'm eager to share my experience and review of our trip to Okinawa, Japan, along with all the details of our itinerary. It's a city that holds a special place in my heart, and I hope you'll enjoy following along with our journey.

Okinawa: A Short Trip with Whale Sharks

Okinawa, a southern island of Japan, is home to the majestic whale sharks we were eager to see. When we found affordable Peach Air tickets, our friends were on board. With limited vacation days, we opted for a quick 3-day trip from September 30th to October 2nd, 2017. The total cost was approximately 15,500 baht, and we relied solely on public transportation as no one volunteered to drive. To ensure a smooth journey, we meticulously planned our itinerary. Let's dive into the details!

There is no text to translate in the provided input. Please provide the text you would like me to translate.

Before reading this review, I would like to ask you to take a look at my previous reviews. Your feedback will be used to improve my future reviews.

1. A 3-day, 2-night review of Hong Kong, in a casual style.

2. South Vietnam: Ignorance is bliss, knowledge is a curse.

Source: http://pantip.com/topic/33104901

3. Solo Travel in Ubon Ratchathani: A Review by a Transgender Tourist: http://pantip.com/topic/33575529

The other part of the review is not yet finished, so I dare not show it.

This trip was for 6 people and the total cost was approximately 15,500 baht.

The Peach Air ticket price is amazing! A round-trip ticket costs only 4,160 baht, plus a 320 baht card fee, for a total of 4,480 baht. This is incredibly cheap! I'm so excited! Plus, the flight is on a Saturday and returns on a Monday, so I only need to take one day off work. Let's go! I told my friends and booked the tickets right away. The flight is also from Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is great. I'm so happy with the ticket price!

And every time, this is the person who planned it, and I would like to thank everyone for the information in the Blue Planet room as well.

Here are the details of our first day's itinerary. We've tried to provide as much information as possible to help you plan your trip and avoid getting lost.

The first thing to do when you arrive at the airport is to read about Peach Air's low-cost airport, which is similar to a warehouse.

The flight schedule had us departing just after 1:00 AM and arriving in Okinawa in the morning. Did I sleep on the plane? Not at all. The seats were cramped for someone of my size, and our airport was a warehouse located outside the main Naha airport. The immigration line was incredibly long, and by the time we got through, we had to drag our luggage to a bus that would take us to the main airport.

Upon arrival at the main airport, we proceeded to the second floor to locate the Yui Rail station for our journey into the city.

This is the Yui Rail station, our main mode of transportation.

Before we begin, we will purchase an Okica Card, a rechargeable card used for travel on the Yui Rail and buses in Okinawa. The card has a 500 yen deposit. We purchased a card with 3,000 yen, leaving a balance of 2,500 yen, which is sufficient for our 3-day trip.

Our plan for getting to the hotel this time is to get off at Asahibashi Station and follow the map in the picture. We will leave our luggage at the hotel before heading to Okinawa World.

However, an army marches on its stomach, so we stopped by Lawson to grab some food. It's worth noting that there are no 7-Elevens on Okinawa; the main convenience store chain is Lawson.

The party was a blast, with plenty of delicious food and drinks.

We then walked to the bus stop to go to Okinawa World at KAMIIZUMI Station, bus stop C2. It was quite a walk. We took the 11:50 bus, which was very punctual. We got on, tapped our Okica Card, and sat down for the long ride. It was the end of the line, so it took over an hour. We fell asleep several times. The fare was 580 yen. Don't be surprised if you see a price higher than 580 yen on the screen during the ride. It will eventually go back down to 580 yen by the time you reach your destination. Once we arrived, we started exploring.

Our first stop before entering Okinawa World was the Valley of Gangala. We got off the bus and walked across the street.

We entered and found a small coffee shop. If you want to go on a tour to see the forest and caves, you can buy a tour. However, we didn't buy a tour because we were too lazy to walk. So we just had coffee and took pictures of the first part of the cave. It was a bit strange to be sitting in the middle of a cave drinking coffee.

My friend said the atmosphere was good.

This Salt Vanilla has a good taste.

After enjoying coffee and ice cream, we headed to Okinawa World.

Rough details are shown in this picture. We bought tickets for the cave walk and the cultural village for 1,240 yen, excluding the snake museum because we were afraid.

In addition to making a travel plan, we also need to buy tickets. My friends use it very well. Let me tell you.

The first thing we did was go into a stalactite and stalagmite cave. The path down was quite deep, and the cave was very slippery and dark. We walked for about 890 meters, which is quite a long way. There were signs saying that photography was prohibited, but everyone who went there took pictures anyway. The atmosphere was cool, humid, and stuffy, but it was still beautiful.

Upon exiting the cave, we hurried to the cultural village to catch the Eisa show at 2:30 PM. Photography and videography were prohibited during the performance, so we respected the rules. The show was energetic and entertaining, with a lively dance and singing performance. At the end, we were invited to join in the dancing and take photos with the performers.

After we finished, we went for a walk around the entire cultural village.

Our top priority was to wear the Ryukyu Kingdom costumes. The rental fee for just taking photos was 500 yen, but for a 15-minute rental, it was 1,500 yen. We opted for the 15-minute rental because we wanted to walk around and take photos in different locations.

After taking some beautiful photos, we went to enjoy the famous Blue Seal ice cream in Okinawa.

The Okinawan Cultural Village offers a wide range of experiences, including weaving, agriculture, various handicrafts, and even snake liquor (which is quite frightening). The village is divided into several zones, each showcasing a different aspect of Okinawan culture. It is a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the local culture.

After a satisfying stroll and photo session, we returned to the hotel to check in. We had only left our luggage there earlier in the morning before boarding the same bus, number 83, to a stop near our starting point. The return trip took longer than the initial journey, as the bus took a detour through the city, adding nearly two hours to the travel time. It is crucial to carefully review the bus schedule to avoid any delays.

Upon arriving at the hotel, we retrieved our luggage and freshened up before heading out for a bite to eat. Nest Naha Hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the station. The room size was adequate, though not overly spacious. Amenities were satisfactory, and the staff was exceptionally friendly. We booked a triple room for two nights, averaging 2,536.63 baht per person. As is typical in Japan, the bathroom was on the smaller side.

After completing our errands, we set off for Kokusai Dori Street. We took the Yui Rail from Asahibashi Station to Kencho mae Station, which cost 150 yen. From there, it was a short walk to the street. Alternatively, one could get off at Makishi Station and walk to the street as well.

This street is quite lively, with many restaurants and even a Don Quijote store. We had a lot of fun shopping there. As for the restaurants, we walked around until we found one that caught our eye. We decided to try it out, even though the prices were quite high. On top of that, for some reason, we felt like having an expensive shabu-shabu, which pushed the total cost to 13,857 yen (so much for saving money, haha).

After a satisfying shopping spree, we returned to our lodgings to rest, as we were truly exhausted.

Day Two in Okinawa

Our original plan was to visit the Itoman Fish Market, and we had even done our research. However, when we woke up in the morning, most people wanted to sleep in because they were tired. So, we decided to skip the market without a second thought. This is the third time I've been to Japan and skipped the fish market because I was too tired. Anyway, since we skipped the market, we decided to go to Shuri Castle instead. Today, we didn't use the Okica Card, but instead bought a Yui Rail day pass for 800 yen, which was much more economical.

We took a train from Asahibashi Station to Shuri Station. After exiting the station, we walked a considerable distance. The sun was so strong that we had to buy umbrellas. We asked for directions as we walked, and eventually saw the castle in the distance.

Just follow the path, there will be a way up but you can't go the other way. You have to walk around the path they set. The entrance fee to the castle is 820 yen. But it is currently under renovation, so it's a pity that the pictures came out with scaffolding and the castle. You have to take off your shoes when you enter the castle. Let's see the pictures I took. I focused on people, not the view. 555

After exploring the castle, we decided to have lunch. Our initial plan was to visit SHURI SOBA.

However, upon arrival, the restaurant was closed, leaving us disappointed. We then decided to try a ramen restaurant near Shuri Station instead.

The storefront features a dragon statue slurping noodles. Inside, the restaurant operates on a coin-operated system, leading to some confusion as customers insert coins haphazardly. The chef attempts to explain the wait times for different dishes, but the language barrier proves insurmountable. Despite the communication difficulties, everyone enjoys a lively exchange using sign language. The ramen arrives in massive bowls, some accompanied by sets of dumplings and shumai. The portions are so generous that many diners are unable to finish their meals. Notably, the restaurant offers free water and rice, although the ramen itself proves to be a challenge to consume in its entirety.

The food was delicious. The meal cost 5,340 yen for 6 people, which is about 300 baht per person. We were very full and satisfied.

With our stomachs full, it was time to go shopping. Since we had a full day of touring the next day, we had to do our shopping today.

Our first shopping destination is T Galleria Okinawa, which is conveniently located right next to Omoromachi Station.

This is like another Duty Free shop where you can buy things and pick them up at the airport before your flight back. You need to fill in your flight details and passport information, and then pick up your items before boarding on your return trip. This shopping experience definitely drained our wallets, leaving us with significantly less money. We spent a lot of money there, haha. Who said we were going to save money?

In addition to the itinerary, we also visited Manga Soko Naha, a 24-hour second-hand store selling everything from designer brands to everyday items. Whether you're looking for bags, watches, jewelry, clothes, or even perfumes, you're sure to find it here.

5555, there are so many things to see! It's easy to get there, just get off at Akamine Station and walk for a bit. If you're looking for cheap second-hand goods, give it a try.

After satisfying our shopping desires, we continued to Tsuboya Yachimun Street, a short street dedicated to pottery. However, if you're not a fan of pottery, be warned: there's not much else to see on this street, which could leave you feeling slightly disappointed.

After that, we continued walking to Kokusai Dori Street, but this time we walked into the market instead. There were so many things to see that it was overwhelming. On Sundays, the street is closed to traffic and becomes a pedestrian zone. There was also an Eisa performance to watch. We ended up shopping again, buying things from pharmacies, cosmetics stores, and souvenir shops. It was a great day for shopping enthusiasts.

And in the evening, we had dinner in the same area as before. It was delicious and expensive, haha. 555

After breakfast, return to the accommodation to pack and prepare for an early check-out for the final day tour.

On the last morning in Okinawa, we had to wake up early to check out of the hotel and leave our luggage there. Initially, we considered leaving it with the tour company or on the bus, but we decided that leaving it at the hotel would be better. We then had the tour company pick us up at the hotel. Around 7:40 AM, the bus picked us up at the hotel and took us to the tour company to pay for the tour and the entrance fee to Churaumi Aquarium. We chose the One Day Tour B offered by Okinawa Bus Ltd., which you can find here: http://okinawabus.com/en/bt/bt_regulartourism_b/. The tour cost 5,500 yen per person, including lunch, and the entrance fee to Churaumi Aquarium was an additional 1,650 yen. We could have opted out of the entrance fee, but then we wouldn't have been able to see the whale sharks and could only walk around the outer perimeter. After paying, we were given tickets to keep for entry to the various attractions.

We waited for the other tourists, and at 8:45 am, we set off. Our guide was lovely and sang songs for us. Whenever we went somewhere, she would give us a card in English to read because she only spoke Japanese. We took a long bus ride, and our first stop was Manzamo, a rock formation shaped like an elephant. The tour only gave us 20 minutes, so we rushed to take pictures, competing with the Chinese tourists. It was very crowded, so whoever could take a picture quickly did so. Honestly, I loved this spot because the view was stunning, and the water was crystal clear. I really enjoyed it.

After completing the rock climbing, we took a long bus ride, approximately one hour and a half, to Centurion Hotel Resort vintage Okinawa Churaumi for a buffet lunch. The food was decent. After lunch, we walked to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. The tour guide gave us a total of two hours for lunch and exploring the aquarium. We were scheduled to meet back at the buffet hotel.

And of course, after finishing our meal, we rushed to the whale shark exhibit, the main attraction. The outdoor area also featured numerous other shows, including dolphins, sea turtles, and dugongs. If we had more time, we would have explored everything, but due to our limited schedule, we could only see a portion. Please refer to the photos for a glimpse. You might be curious about the ticket price. If you purchase directly, it costs 1,850 yen. However, if you buy through a tour, it's 1,650 yen.

Following our visit to the Aquarium, the tour continued to Nakijin Castle, an ancient stone castle. While the castle itself no longer stands, its stone walls and a museum showcasing the history, artifacts, and daily life of the Ryukyu Kingdom remain.

The final stop of the day tour was a pineapple farm. It was a bit underwhelming, as there were only pineapples there. We took some silly photos and had a laugh.

This with our guide is really lovely.

There are many souvenir shops here, and the pineapple pastries are delicious.

On the way back, the tour will not drop us off at the hotel. We will be dropped off at the tour company or Yui Rail Station. We will then take a bus back to Asahibashi to pick up our luggage and head to the airport. Our flight is at 9:55 PM. When we arrive at the airport, we will need to take a bus back to the LCC Terminal. If you want to eat, eat at the main airport first, because the LCC Terminal only has souvenir shops and vending machines for drinks and snacks. When we arrive at the LCC Terminal, we will need to check in ourselves at the airport. Attach your passport to the machine and print your ticket. For those who are checking in luggage, please note that Peach Air counts luggage by piece, with a maximum of 20 kilograms per piece. You can bring 10 kilograms per person on board. We have organized our luggage well. After passing the departure check, we went to pick up the cosmetics we had bought. It was a small booth, but I must say that the building was very hot and stuffy, and there were a lot of people. We were flying low cost, so we had to be prepared. We boarded the plane and returned home comfortably. The airline didn't cancel our flight either. Haha. That's a rough review. I'm afraid it's going to be too long-winded again. Haha. Another thing we really liked about this trip was the drinks. We tried almost all the different flavored water, especially the milk tea, which was very fragrant. Anyway, I hope this review is helpful in some way.