Okinawa, Pack Your Bags and Let's Go Now!

Before moving to China a couple of years back, I had never heard about Okinawa. Embarrassing for someone in the travel industry, I know... But also a sign that this hidden gem needs more advocates!

As I was planning my trip, I discovered to my surprise, that Japan has gorgeous beaches on offer and that many of them can be found in Okinawa, an archipelago located between the mainland and Taiwan. Think of it as the Hawaii of the U.S., the Corsica of France or the Sanya of China (but miles better than the latter…!). Plus it’s super close to Shanghai, it only takes 2 hours by plane to get there.

Beautiful beaches and Okinawan blue waters, that’s all well and good but far from enough for someone who can’t sit on the sand for more than an hour without feeling bored and fidgety.  

So if you’re like me, here is what I recommend you do in Japan’s Island Paradise:

Take a Karate lesson

Here is something else I didn’t know about… Okinawa is the birth place of karate. Growing up I’d always perceived karate as aggressive and mostly reserved to boys. But it’s actually quite the opposite. It started out as pure self-defence when the Japanese feudal domain of Satsuma banned weapons for local people after invading 

Okinawa which was then an independent country known as Ryukyu Kingdom.

Learning more about the discipline and practicing a few moves at Murasaki Mura with technique instructor and black belt Kevin M. Chaplin was my favourite part of the trip!

Learn more about Okinawa’s past  

Though it’s now part of Japan, Okinawa is geographically very close to Taiwan and China and wasn’t technically Japan till the end of the 19th century. Until then, the islands formed the independent Ryūkyū Kingdom. They even still have their own unique local language called Uchinaguchi. Okinawa’s modern history is equally interesting as it was, sadly, the scene of one of the bloodiest WWII battles in the Pacific Ocean. This turbulent past explains the unique mix of Okinawan culture: Ryūkyū, Japanese, Chinese and American.

You can get a sense of it by visiting different sites such as the traditional Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu that were registered at part of the World Heritage Sites in 2000, the emotional Peace Memorial Museum and finally the commercial American Village.

Make your own Bingata creation  

Bingata dates from the Ryūkyū kingdom period, around 15th century, when it was worn by the Royal Family as both formal and daily wear. It is Okinawan traditional textile which is dyed, usually with bright colours and patterns. Locals then wear it during traditional Ryūkyū arts performances.

Enter Shuri Ryusen in central Naha and have a look around at all the beautiful varieties of Bingata. Then get cracking and make your own Bingata. As an alternative, you can also choose to do coral dyeing. It’s great fun, accessible to all ages and who knows, it might awaken the artist in you!

Eat loads of Okinawan food

Okinawan traditional food is absolutely delicious and it’s super healthy! Okinawa is known for the longevity of its people which is often attributed to what they put on their plate. If you enjoy cooking yourself, join a local cooking class.

Some of the island’s must-try specialities include: Goya Chanpurū (stir fry with bitter melon), Sea Grapes (crunchy seaweed also known as green caviar), Sōki soba (noodle soup with pork ribs), Sata andagi (sweet donuts), Beniimo (purple sweet potatoes, in all forms) and finally Salted Ice Cream (ice cream topped with Okinawa’s award winning salt).

Snorkel with whale sharks or simply watch the sunset…

If you are lucky enough to go to Okinawa when it’s nice and hot then I would recommend you go snorkelling with whale sharks, the world's biggest species of fish. But, if the sea is quite chilly, as it was for me, head to the beach and just watch the sun set. Always a gorgeous view especially for the aspiring photographers amongst us!    

I was sad to leave this little corner of paradise... Now it’s time for you to go, go, go! Please bring back some magical longevity potion for me if you can find it. I dream of living to 100 like so many Okinawans seem to do. Just so I have enough time to explore the world…

Solene Anglaret is a travel addict. Born and raised in France, she has lived in Norway, the USA, the UK, China and visited 46 countries to date. She arrived in Shanghai in October 2015 to open Thomas Cook’s Chinese office. Her favourite destinations are Nepal, Cambodia, Norway, Guatemala and Brazil. A keen hiker and amateur photographer, her typical weekends away and holidays are active, cultural and take her off the beaten track.

Thomas Cook has perfect escapes for you, whether you’re into all-inclusive holidays, cruise deals, adventure or beach breaks or family holidays. 

Related Articles