Okinawa Get-Away

" Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer"-Unknown

Heart shaped rocks in Oki

Well I finally checked off one of the prefectures I wanted to visit off my list. Okinawa, Japan it has been called the Hawaii of Japan by many tourists. I have been to Hawaii and I agree that it is the paradise of the country. I went with my friend Anna and a new friend that made (friend of Anna's) Ben. We rented a car and three different AirBnB night accommodations while we were in Okinawa, at it was the best decision we made because we got to see everything we wanted to see! Granted the Island is not that huge but still, we checked off our lists.

Rainbow and unicorn bagels at Caracalla.

Our first stop was Caracalla bagels, and boy was I glad we got our hands on these colorful bagels...because they had the last 3 when we got there! They sell out everyday and we went on a Thursday thinking we wouldn't have that issue. Phewww that was close. Lowkey (thanks Ben no I say that word all the time) we were doing it for the #insta but these bagels were so delicious! I was shook. Of course I should have know they would be amazing because well hello, it's Japan! Japan just knows how to make breads. The bagel was very soft and a lil moist, it was not dry like the bagls I am used to (usually), and I got the mixed berry cream to match my colorful soul. The mixed berry cream was also delicious it was a mix of blueberries and strawberries and they threw on a couple sprinkles just to make it extra pretty! I highly reccomend this place if you are ever in Okinawa.

Vita Smoothies

Vita smoothies was also another great colorful spot we ate at. We did get a chance to come here twice because it was that yummy, and it also made us feel like we were being healthy after eating so much on this trip. There is just so much delicious food to try. Another place we loved and will reccomend to everyone.

Blue Seal Pistacho almond and Beni-Imo ice cream scoops.

Blue Seal is all the talk in Okinawa. They are an Okinawan Ice cream chain and you can find these all over the island! I guess Tokyo has some spots to but these ice cream shops are native to Oki. We also probably had Blue Seal over 4 times while we were in Okinawa. They also serve bubbles teas and crepes!

Cape Maeda

Cape Manzama

Of course because we were on an island there is a lot of beautiful lookout points we visited two of the most popular sites Cape Maeda and Cape Manzama. Manzama was extra extra touristy with crowds of tour buses but such a beautiful view. Cape Maeda was very quiet when we were there and we got to walk around for a while and truly enjoy the views in peace.

Magenta and Blue Mango and Pitaya Smoothie

Mango and greens smoothie at Soil.

Taco Rice at Jambaru Taco.

Avocado Mexi burger at Captain Kangaroo.

Mixed berry dutch pancake at Mother Coffee.

Mini Rouge LED bulb drink on Kokusaidori street in Naha

Spam, Egg and Carrot Onigiri at Pork Tamago Honten

As you can see we ate a lot. It was all so good. Taco Rice was interesting, it is a fusion food that I imagine was inspired from having such a large foreigner population because of the army bases. Taco rice is one of those "must have" foods in you are in Okinawa.

Shisa

I was going to take a bunch of pictures of different shisa statues and totally forgot (I was too worried about eating half the time...sigh). They are a local artifact/decoration in Okinawa and often seen in pair on buildings or door entrances. They are seen as wards to protect from evil. The left one usually has its mouth closed and the right one has its mouth open. It is believed that the one with the open mouth wards off evil and the one with the closed mouth keeps in the good spirits.

I did take picture of these Hello Kitty Shisa!

and this Shisa window decal.

Whale sharks at Churaumi Aquarium.

These were the funniest things I saw, lil snake like fish that just bob around.

Our friend Anna really wanted to go to Churaumi aquarium and we went with and got to see some fun sea fish and sea life. My favorite animal to see was definitely the snake weird fish they just cracked me up.

Shikuwasa Fanta

Beni-imo kit-kats

Okinawa pineapple Hi-Chew

beni-imo ice cream

Never have I ever been to a country that was so cool with themed everything. I also can't imagine that there is another country that does a better job than Japan. The prefecture of Okinawa is know for a lot of things, shikuwasa is a fruit that is a special citrus fruit native to Oki. It was what I have tasted in Mexico as a Lima, but it is much smaller in Okinawa. Even Fanta carries a shiukuwasa flavored drink and there was also beers in shikuwasa flavor. The purple sweet potato is also a root vegetable that Okinawa is known for and purple potato flavored everything was available. Kit-kats are another cool product that occasionally has seasonal flavors to coincide with different holidays and prefectures around Japan.

My travel buddies and I at heart rock.

beautiful sea side sunsets.

Hiji Falls

a lil pool on our hike to Hiji falls.

random Hiji falls drink dispenser. You can always buy yourself a sugary drink in Japan no matter where you are. Out in the middle of nowhere you can find these.