8 Nights in Okinawa - Day 7, 8 and 9

Tuesday, 19^th Dec 2023

With Coco’s departure looming in our heads, we had to carry on our trip. Coco will be stored at the crematorium until we get back and have her funeral on 22^nd Dec. By now, it’s more of let’s just complete what we set to do in this trip and get back as scheduled.

We will be going to Naha downtown for our last accommodation in this trip before flying home. I wanted to stop at Cape Kyan, we were at northernmost Cape Hedo, so this was to complete our Nort South Capes. But my husband suggested Cape Ara which was more south, so we drove down, reached a recycling facility and then it was farm gravel road on Google map. Continued inward on the gravel road when I finally got scared about trespassing and my husband ran down instead while we waited at the car. He reached Cape Ara, barren land, not suitable for tourists and we turned back to head towards Cape Kyan.

Then it was lunch at Itoman Roadside station which was actually next to Itoman Fish Market. Was supposed to have dessert at Umikaji Terrace but was too full and we just watched fighter jets taking off instead. Visited the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters (Hours: 8.30am – 5pm), the playground was closed for renovation. And we finally reached our accomodation at downtown.

We went to Kokusai Dori, ate dinner at Yappari Steak (raw steaks served on hot stones, it’s like Pepper lunch steak, and ordering is done using a vending machine), had Blue Seal ice-cream, husband had Habu-Sake and we bought lots of things from Don Quijote (for duty free, bring along your passport, and additional discounts from this website https://www.donki.com/info-couponrenewal-djapanpass/).

Note: Ginowan has a MEGA Don Quijote.

Accomodation: 2 nights stay in a traditional house booked through Booking.com. Address: 902-0067, Naha, Makishi 3-16-16. Nice three-bedrooms house with many art displays and resting corners. The girls got their own rooms to stay. Very near to Asato monorail station which was good for us to take the Yurail to the airport. Walking distance to Kokusai Dori and Pottery Street. It is also near Sakaemachi Arcade (a shopping and food place), which when we saw was too late and could not visit.

Wednesday, 20^th Dec 2023

The main thing to do today was to return the car at OTS Branch at DFS Galleria (https://maps.app.goo.gl/rK9ALotXqtkJmcfA9). They asked us for the receipt of the last petrol top-up but we did not have and made a trip to top-up and then return the car, no issues. Omoromachi station is nearby and we tested (because we will be taking the monorail to the airport tomorrow) taking the monorail back to our stay which was only one stop away.

The girls were in the mood for shopping so we went to Kokusai Dori again. On our way, we saw a K-POP shop (https://maps.app.goo.gl/qGAu7dzxk77WeTT59), spent some time saying no to this and that but bought stuff anyway. Prices similar to Singapore.

Next stop was to Makishi Market. This is the first market that we did not buy any food to eat (it’s a different style whereby you buy the raw food and have it cooked at the restaurant upstairs) bought some street side tempura at Heiwa Dori (https://maps.app.goo.gl/oYxuv2EFCX2WYoyWA ) instead. With the Makishi Market checked, the girls were allowed to shop at Don Quijote, this time I was prepared with my passport. Ended the afternoon of shopping with Pork Tamago at Heiwa Dori. Oh while the three of us were shopping, father and son went to eat at Steak 88. My husband was not feeling well so he slept in most of the time.

We wanted to buy Project Sekai merchandise at Animate Naha (https://maps.app.goo.gl/TGKW22FubwSbVqt56) but Kid1 could not wake up from her nap. Instead, son and I walked to the Tsuboya Pottery Street, shops were already closed but I experienced walking on the cobblestoned street. Then it’s all packing and getting ready for leaving this place at 6.20 am, tomorrow.

We were not in the mood, here were other places we could’ve visited

• Senaga-jima Hotel and Onsen Spa: 〒901-0233 沖縄県豊見城市字瀬長174-5 very fabulous outdoor onsen
• Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa 1-188 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku, Okinawa 901-0225
• Shuri Castle
• Chongyuan Temple Stone Gate
• San-A Naha Main Place
• Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum
• Ichigin Shokudo (for lobster and steak) 7.00 am to 3.00 pm Japan, 〒900-0015 Okinawa, Naha, Kumoji, 2 Chome−12−3 一銀ビル 3D
• Izakaya restaurants with live entertainment
• Kimono rental

Thursday, 21^st Dec 2023

Leaving Okinawa today! The Yui-rail timetable is available online (https://www.yui-rail.co.jp/en/routemap/asato/) and at each station. We walked to catch the 6:53 am monorail at Asato station, saw a family of 4 and others with their luggage doing the same. At this hour, it was not very packed, son and I managed to get seats all the way to the airport, 9 stops away.

From the Airport monorail station, it was easy to walk and roll the luggage to the international departure hall. I packed the duty-free items for customs checking (if you wish to check-in these, will have to notify counter staff and they will have customs check these), but they did not check. We were early at the departure gate, but the food court was not open until 9 am which was already our flight boarding time. 

Bye Okinawa, it was still an enjoyable holiday though three of us fell sick along the way and Coco crossed over the rainbow bridge.