1. Okinawa, nicknamed the "Hawaii of Asia," lives up to its name. This trip will take us on a scenic drive from the southernmost point to the northernmost point, circling around the western coast and descending along the eastern coast. We will also explore the smaller islands around the fringes, ensuring a comprehensive experience without the need to rush. As a family trip with two doctors and a nurse, we have the peace of mind of having medical professionals on hand. We will take our time, driving, eating, and talking, sharing stories along the way.

In the early hours of February 24th, after a late night on February 23rd, we boarded a Peach Air flight, the only airline offering direct flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Naha Airport. Despite the passengers' drowsiness, the plane took off smoothly. Five hours later, the first rays of sunlight appeared on the horizon of Okinawa.

The timing was excellent, but I didn't get much sleep. By 8:00 AM (6:00 AM Thai time), I had only slept for less than two hours. The Peach Airlines airport is a low-cost carrier, so I had to take a free shuttle bus for another five minutes to the domestic passenger terminal. When I got off the bus, I saw many car rental counters lined up along the road. I had booked online in advance with ABC Rent a Car, and they took me by car from the airport for about ten minutes to pick up the car at their office near the airport.


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Japanese cars are easy to drive, unlike European cars with left-hand steering. The car rental process was quick, taking less than ten minutes. We started our journey by exploring the southern part of Okinawa, visiting Ryukyu Glass Village, Kyan Cape, and then driving to the small island of Ojima, the "Holy Land of Tempura." We had lunch at one of the original Tempura restaurants on the island (there are three or four). I chose the first restaurant after crossing the bridge, which was on the right-hand side. There was a long queue, but the wait wasn't too long. On Ojima Island, I flew my drone to capture aerial footage, revealing the island's shape, which resembles the letter "O." If you have time, I recommend walking around the village on the island for a different experience.



After enjoying the authentic tempura, let's continue our journey and find a place to have coffee. In Okinawa, there are many famous cafes with million-dollar views. In the south, a must-visit is Café Kurukuma. Enjoy coffee with a panoramic view of the sea, then continue to the stunning NIRAIKANAI BRIDGE. There is a viewpoint at the foot of the bridge where you can park your car and walk to admire the bridge's scenery. Afterwards, drive to the beautiful park that juts out into the sea, Chinen Misaki Park. All the places mentioned can be found on Google Maps.

After driving 20 km to the center of Naha, I checked into my guest house, Grand Naha. I chose this location because of its proximity to Kokusai Street, a popular shopping and dining area. A convenience store was located right in front of the guest house, allowing me to park my car for free. However, there was a slight risk involved, as some mornings cars parked there would have signs placed on them. I couldn't read the signs, but when I inquired at the convenience store, I was told that the parking was reserved for customers. Fortunately, there was no penalty for parking there. After checking in, I relaxed for a while before going for a short evening shopping trip. Since I would be staying in Naha for another night and returning for my final night, I didn't feel the need to buy souvenirs for Thailand on the first day.

After walking until 10 pm, I returned to my accommodation. Today, I captured hundreds of beautiful pictures along the way. Stay tuned for day two in Okinawa. Tomorrow, the three of us, two doctors and one nurse, will go on a whale-watching boat trip.

#okinawa#travel#japan
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