First-time review of a trip to find new experiences in Okinawa... After Peach Air frequently opened promotions, it was the driving force that I should try it once, NaHa!!

Due to the high demand for flights during weekends, finding promotional fares proved challenging. Nevertheless, we secured round-trip tickets for July 21-24. With tickets in hand and hearts filled with excitement, our adventure was about to begin!

Travel Preparation

(Prices are summarized at the end.)

- Due to concerns, additional insurance was purchased with this company, Sompo, at a low premium, along with the use of additional promotional discounts.

- Download Sim2Fly for convenient travel.

- Planned the travel route because I can't drive, so I decided to buy a One-day Tour.

  • Booked accommodation through the booking website and Agoda.

    Subject: Surprise

On the morning of July 20th, with excitement for the upcoming trip, I checked the weather in Okinawa. Suddenly, a typhoon was approaching the island on the morning of July 21st! At that moment, I was stunned and confused, and I had to take a nap to calm down. Then, at 10:00 am, an email from the airline popped up, informing me of the flight cancellation. I couldn't believe it!

To reschedule your flight, contact your insurance company to inquire about the required documentation. Your flight has been rescheduled to coincide with a long weekend, allowing you to fly directly from July 26th to 30th. Contact your tour operator and accommodation to inform them of the change. Both parties have waived all fees due to the unforeseen circumstances. (TwT)...

Additional Documents for Insurance Claim

  1. Airline Confirmation Letter: This document verifies your flight details and confirms any disruptions or delays.
  2. Boarding Pass and Flight Ticket Copies: These documents provide proof of your travel plans and itinerary.
  3. Passport Copy: Your passport serves as identification and confirms your travel status.
  4. Bank Account Statement Copy: This document helps verify your financial information for claim processing.
  5. Download the Claim Form: Complete the official claim form provided by your insurance company.

You can request flight cancellation documents through Peachair's website. Simply change the menu to English, scan all documents, and send them via Sompo. The company will contact you within a few days. Relax and enjoy your trip!

Day 1

A direct flight of 4.30 hours brought us to Naha Airport in the early morning. The airport is housed in a converted old warehouse, making it both small and narrow. The air was warm but not stifling, thanks to the refreshing sea breeze (or maybe it was just me who didn't feel the heat). Upon arrival, we joined the queue for the free airport shuttle bus to the domestic terminal. In true "slow life" fashion, we stopped for breakfast first. There weren't many restaurants open at this early hour, but the view was beautiful and the staff were incredibly friendly.

After a satisfying meal, we headed to the Tourist Information Center on the 1st floor to purchase a 1-day Yuirail + Bus Pass for 3000Y. The interaction with the staff felt like talking to an NPC in a game. They kept repeating the same answers, and since our language skills were both weak, we just went with the flow.

After purchasing bus tickets, exchange them for a Yuirail 1-day pass at the station to head directly to your accommodation. Choose to stay at Estinate for 3 nights. After leaving your luggage and taking care of our business, we will continue our journey. The next stop is Shuri Castle.

Upon arrival at the station, visitors must walk approximately 1.5 km to reach the castle. The entrance fee is 800 yen, but holders of the Yuirail 1-day pass can enjoy a discounted rate of 660 yen. In addition to exploring the castle, visitors can participate in a stamp rally, where they can collect stamps and exchange them for souvenirs. This activity is a unique feature of the castle and a fun way to engage with the site.



As we strolled through the grandeur of the castle, the sky grew increasingly overcast, yet the rain held off, leaving only a dimness in the air. The castle offered numerous resting spots, including a quaint confectionery named Sasunoma. They claimed to serve period-specific treats, but their explanations were lost on us due to the language barrier. The sweets themselves were peculiar and not entirely to our taste, but we were captivated by their shoe storage and tea selection.

After successfully completing the exchange mission, I took a detour on the way back and stumbled upon the Daruma Temple. It was incredible to find a hidden temple, especially since it seemed deserted. The lack of people made the atmosphere a bit lonely.


After checking in and taking a short break, we headed out to explore Kokusaidori. We strolled around, had dinner, and called it a day for our trip.

Day 2

Today, we used the tour service of https://www.cerulean-blue.co.jp/bus_tour/en/, which included all entrance fees. We arrived at the Palette Kumoji shopping mall 10-15 minutes before the bus departure time. The tour guide picked us up and we departed on time at 8:30 AM. During the journey, the tour guide told us stories in Japanese. The guide was very enthusiastic and talkative, and never stopped talking. We listened to the stories and enjoyed the view. The sea was so beautiful!

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The first stop is Kouri Beach, where we will spend 20 minutes enjoying the view and taking photos.

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Point 2: Churaumi Aquarium

Despite choosing a weekday to avoid crowds, the Churaumi Aquarium was teeming with children. With only 2.30 hours to explore, the vastness of the aquarium proved overwhelming. Time constraints forced me to miss the show, leaving me with a sense of unfulfilled curiosity. The sheer size of the facility was impressive, and in a moment of carelessness, I lost my selfie stick. Despite this mishap, the awe-inspiring whale shark exhibit left a lasting impression, its beauty and grandeur captivating my senses.

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Stop 3: Purple Yam Factory. This stop is reminiscent of Mae Kim Long, but with the added benefit of being able to sample the sweets while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

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Point 4: Laem Man Samo. Disembark here for 20 minutes. This is a cliff face and one of the landmarks of Khao Laem.


Point 5: Ryukyu Village (60 minutes)

This is a replica village with cute shows. However, the shows are performed outdoors, and the weather was very hot. The Japanese-style shows involve audience participation, with singing, dancing, and music. It was cute, but the extreme heat made it difficult to enjoy.


After completing the tour and returning to the original location, I stopped by a restaurant in an alleyway in the Kokusaidori district. This restaurant was recommended by the Sugoi Japan program. They played local music, and the food was delicious and affordable. After a satisfying meal, I returned to my accommodation to rest.

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Day 3

Today, I tried traveling on my own using a Bus Pass, also known as a "Beng Card." You can simply show it and hop on the bus. The Japan Travel app was helpful for navigating the bus system. It calculates the bus routes that will arrive in the area and provides a rough travel plan, including the boarding points (which were sometimes correct and sometimes on the wrong side, but still in the same zone). If you are traveling with more than two people, it is recommended to drive a car and ride a motorcycle. The rental and fuel costs are not much different from those in our country. Obtaining an international driving permit is not difficult. If you have a regular driving license for more than 1 year, you can contact the Department of Transportation and pay a fee of around 500 baht. For motorcycle riding, I recommend the Japan Raider page, which provides a lot of helpful advice. I would like to share this even though I did not choose this plan. (^ ^)

Using the card is simple. Just scratch the date, month, and year with a coin, and you can use it on all routes. However, it cannot be used on bus routes 117 and 111.

The first destination was Okinawa World, a theme park on the island. The entrance fee is divided into several types, but to satisfy my curiosity, I chose the 1650Y set. I received a small discount from the tour I took yesterday. The park features impressive shows, a beautifully designed long cave with a walkway, and a snake show. However, the snake seemed to be in a bad mood, so I wasn't very impressed with the snake show. I also tried coffee made from coral, but I probably won't order it again next time. It wasn't very tasty.

There are many souvenir shops here, and they are very crowded. After looking at the souvenirs, I stopped here for lunch. This meal was delicious.

With a full stomach, we hailed a taxi to the Peach Memorial & Museum, which is reminiscent of the Allied War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi. Admission is free for exploring the grounds, but there is a 300 yen entrance fee for the museum.

After spending the whole day, I heard a voice saying that they wanted to play at the beach. So I took them to explore the beach in the city, which is Naminoue Beach. When I arrived, I was surprised to see the beach was blocked off. Even though I knew it was small, it was really tiny! Since it was already evening, I just walked along the beach and looked at the girls. Then I went up the hill to pay my respects at the shrine and stopped by to eat steak in the Kokusaidori district as usual. That was the end of my confusing trip today.

Day 4

Today, I moved to the American Village area to stay because there will be a summer fireworks display at the beach nearby. I took a long bus ride for about 1 hour and walked to Emi Full Resort to drop off my luggage. I really, really like this place. The room is like a condo, with everything you need and a spacious room. The bathroom is separate, and there is a kitchen and a washing machine. The security system at the door is my favorite. It uses a hand scanner, and then a number appears, and you touch the screen to enter the code. (On the other hand, it's also a bit dangerous if you know the room code, haha.) We arrived at noon, but we were allowed to check in early because the room was ready. Let's drop off our luggage and go play at the beach! But first, let's get something to eat.

This ramen is amazing! So delicious! No wonder there's a long queue. Let's go play in the water now...

The beaches and sea in this zone are not as beautiful as others. The water is murky and not as clear as the other beaches we visited. There is more space to swim than at Naminoue, but the waves are gentler, the water is shallower, and there are more Chinese tourists. We encountered some unpleasant behavior from Chinese tourists in the bathroom, which was a bit of a bummer. After swimming, it was time for the highlight of the day: watching the summer fireworks!

The fireworks show was over, and I wanted to take some photos from a high angle, so I tried riding the Ferris wheel for the first time. The Ferris wheel cost 500 yen, and I just realized... I'm afraid of Ferris wheels (TwT). Because it's slow, it shakes, it swings. I can't believe myself, lol.

After swinging on the swing, she walked with trembling legs to the SEGA game store to play and get revenge (and didn't get anything back).



Day 5

On the last day, after packing, we explored the area and bought souvenirs. Many items here were cheaper than in the city, even vending machines were 10-30 yen cheaper. We stopped for a sushi conveyor belt lunch and waited for the bus number 120 to the airport. While waiting for our flight, we used our JCB card to access the domestic airport lounge for free and enjoyed unlimited drinks. If you're hungry, eat here because the terminal we boarded our flight from had no restaurants, only snacks and bread vending machines.

In summary, Okinawa offers a relaxing vacation experience (despite my crazy walking adventures!). Thailand's beauty rivals Okinawa's, but the two differ in terms of orderliness and cleanliness. Ultimately, the choice depends on your travel preferences and desired activities.

Estimated Expenses for a 5-Day, 4-Night Trip to Jeju Island

Total Cost: ₩20,178.32 per person

Breakdown:

  • Flights: ₩5,950 (including checked baggage on the return flight; cheaper promotional fares are often available on weekdays)
  • SIM Card: ₩296.5 (purchased through Shopee during promotions)
  • Accommodation:
    • 3 nights in Jeju City (estimated): ₩3,667
    • 1 night near the fireworks display (Emi full): ₩1,284.5
    • Note: For private bathrooms, rooms of 12 sqm or larger are recommended for sufficient space.
  • Travel Insurance: ₩352.12 (Sompo offers coverage without upfront payments for hospitalization)
  • One-Day Tour: ₩1,535
  • Transportation on Jeju Island: ₩1,539
  • Food: ₩4,655.7
  • Miscellaneous Expenses: ₩898.5

Please note: This is an estimated budget and actual expenses may vary depending on individual preferences and travel dates.

Let's go back to work we love, even if we're broke.

#okinawa#japan#japan
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