In search for some nature and the wonderful view I’d heard others mention Katsuu-dake is in Motobu peninsula and it is the third tallest mountain on Okinawa’s mainland I definitely was not expecting an alpine-like adventure one enjoys climbing Mt My guidebook said this would only be 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top of Katsuu-dake you may recognize Katsuu-dake as it has an exposed Just like Daisekirinzan at the north end of the island this mountain is composed of lime rocks from around 250 million years ago While Daisekirinzan offers a safe and easy trekking experience Katsuu puts you into the thick of the wilderness Access to the mountain was relatively easy After about a one-and-a-half-hour drive north from the mid-section of the island I found myself in a parking lot which connected to the starting point of the climb indicating some climbers already on the way The mountain trail started with a moderate slope but soon turned into a steep animal trail in the wilderness carpeted with numerous rocks With thick and thin roots of trees running in between it was difficult to even find a spot to take a step Many of those rocks were slippery due to their mossy and wet surface but occasional pockets of sunshine filtered through the foliage I saw many flora and fauna along the trail including ferns asian taro and plenty of curious creatures here and there My easy hike became a jungle adventure with lots of weaving through a thick ocean of trees Had I waited to do this hike in the summer there would’ve been more sweat and a higher risk of running into dangerous habu snakes which offered a preview of what was to come at the summit A break in the thick branches and leaves showed the sky was still a bit cloudy so I hoped the sunshine would return by the time I reached the top the trail led to another steep slope giving the wrong impression this ramp would lead me straight to the top At various points the trail split in two ways but thanks to red markers on stones and red ribbons tied on trees I ran into three climbers on their way back from the top We’ve done way worse and scarier hikes before We were just actually talking about that,” Estonian Triinu Akimseu said with a smile Fuji,” her husband Lance Akimseu chimed in as he explained it took them only 24 minutes to go to the top of Katsuu-dake “It’s an easy pay-off,” said Will Michaels who was hiking with the couple and was impressed with the view “You are almost there,” I heard of them call out to me as they made their way down the trail effortlessly but they didn’t have leaves to block my view Seeing a wide view of the east coast of the island Then the top came into my sight with a pole reading: “Summit of Mt It was a panoramic view like I had never seen before Both the east and west coastlines were clearly in sight Although I could recognize locations such as Nago City and Kouri Island the sight made me feel like I was in a different world Despite the chilly wind howling at me on the summit the view was worth the trouble to get up there but what I saw up there really warmed my heart Parking: free *wearing trekking shoes strongly recommended Read now > Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan we present our projects and business activities in each country and region to show how they contribute to local communities and the world as a whole View More To celebrate the launch of the "Motobu Story Quest" EV taxi service scheduled to commence in early February 2024 we have organized a special event on February 1 The "Motobu Story Quest" introduces chartered EV taxis to explore the enchanting tourist attractions of Motobu Town Tailored for both first-time visitors and those seeking a unique experience the service offers three model courses focusing on the themes of "sea," "culture," and "seasons" in Motobu Town The flexibility to customize sightseeing tours and make spontaneous stops along the model course sets this chartered taxi service apart Foreign visitors can collect exclusive Non-Fungible Token (NFT) stamps at recommended local attractions creating a digital tapestry of cherished memories within the exclusive app This unique feature not only preserves the essence of your journey but also beckons them to revisit Motobu Town unlocking new chapters in their evolving adventure with every return “Motobu Story Quest" aligns with the commitment to promote sustainable tourism in Okinawa Prefecture responding to the evolving needs of environmentally conscious inbound travelers after the pandemic By integrating taxi services into a comprehensive transportation plan the project seeks to address persistent challenges such as traffic congestion and transportation inadequacies in tourist areas This initiative not only enhances the experiences of tourists but also contributes to the well-being of local residents Aligned with the Sumitomo Corporation Group's vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 this project reinforces Sumitomo Corporation Group’s dedication to reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing renewable energy utilization across diverse business sectors Beyond the adoption of EVs to drive decarbonization the project aims to create new value for travelers allowing them to savor sustainable travel experiences in Okinawa In collaboration with the Dai-Ichi Koutsu Group Sumitomo Corporation Group aims to provide innovative transportation solutions This aligns with our vision to collaborate with various mobility services promoting a seamless and sustainable travel ecosystem and contributing to the advancement of local communities by addressing challenges within existing taxi fleets and regional transportation systems Note: The "Regional Transportation Co-creation Model Demonstration Project" is an initiative by the Ministry of Land fostering collaboration among entities to enhance and revitalize regional public transportation while integrating it with local lifestyles I made my way to Nago City for a day of road cycling mostly because getting around in a car is more convenient; but also to avoid the wariness I feel on my bike when sharing the road with bigger vehicles seeing more and more cyclists cruise in Okinawa as Okinawans call this northern part of the island Motobu Peninsula is only an hour away from Camp Foster There are many great spots along the bike course to stop and check out I took a break and enjoyed a shaved ice topped with mango Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Okinawa Prefecture--Defense Ministry officials are apologizing after an Okinawa bureau staffer hurled invectives at citizens protesting the central government’s project to relocate a U.S The Okinawa Defense Bureau acknowledged the insults saying that they were “inappropriate and extremely regrettable.” “We will thoroughly instruct our personnel to conduct appropriate security activities,” it said we will take appropriate measures regarding (the staff).”  The incident occurred at Motobu Port here at around 2 p.m on June 6 as a 59-year-old man was walking slowly in protest in front of a dump truck loaded with soil and sand along with two other people The port is where the materials are being transported from for the contentious relocation of U.S Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the prefecture from Ginowan to the Henoko district of Nago The part-time staffer of the bureau in the port disparaged the protesters over a megaphone “Please stop obstructing traffic,” “You don’t even have any common sense” and “Get out of here.” The port is located on the west coast of Okinawa’s main island opposite of the Henoko district on the east coast Soil and sand collected in the vicinity are being transported by ship from the port to the Henoko district Citizens have been protesting here to delay the construction of the new base since 2019 defense bureau personnel are also involved in providing security at the port Fears raised that war dead remains mixed in with Henoko landfill Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission "Okinawa") cherry blossoms typically bloom from late January to February each year cherry blossom festivals are held at various locations throughout the prefecture We spoke to an official from the Motobu Tourism Association which holds the Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival The cherry blossoms ('sakura' in Japanese*) located at the southwest of the Japanese archipelago The name 'Kanhi-zakura' originates from the reddish scarlet (hiiro**) color of its blossoms The renowned spot for Ryukyu Kanhi-zakura is Mount Yaedake the second-highest peak on Okinawa Island*** with an elevation of 453 meters the Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival takes place at Sakura-no-Mori Park on the slopes of Mount Yaedake Renowned as Japan's earliest cherry blossom festival "The base of the Mount Yaedake spans from the northern part of Okinawa Island Approximately 7,000 Ryukyu Kanhi-zakura cherry trees lining the roadside for over four kilometers leading to its summit," explains Touyama Kiyohiro from the Motobu Tourism Association "This area is the earliest blooming region in Okinawa Ryukyu Kanhi-zakura cherry blossoms are known for their vibrant which charmingly bloom in a downward direction." The Ryukyu Kanhi-zakura is beloved in Okinawa as an early sign of spring These cherry blossoms can be enjoyed up close or admired from afar as they adorn the entire mountain The contrast between their vibrant scarlet colors and the lush greenery of the primeval forest is truly a sight to behold many people gather at Mount Yaedake to enjoy the cherry blossoms or take a leisurely stroll to admire the cherry blossoms the Motobu Yaedake Cherry Blossom Festival (held from January 20 to February 4) attracted approximately 150,000 visitors not only from Okinawa Prefecture but also from across the country it is estimated that overseas visitors accounted for roughly 10% of the total attendance," says Touyama visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms for an extended period." typically involves laying out mats under cherry blossom trees and enjoying outdoor small banquets with food and drinks This iconic springtime activity is commonly observed in parks throughout Tokyo "In the car-oriented society of Okinawa people enjoy the cherry blossoms from the car while driving There are numerous tree-lined roadsides with stunning cherry blossoms," says Toyama Cherry blossoms are an early sign of spring in Okinawa offering an excellent chance to experience the beauty and arrival of the season for yourself No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form It had been more than a year since I made a trip up a hilly area in Okinawa’s Motobu peninsula It is a location that draws many tourists thanks to its superb view of the west coast of the island There are several cafés and eateries along the way where tourists can enjoy the view over food and coffee getting to the hilly area takes a drive on narrow and winding roads which are at times only wide enough to safely allow one vehicle through at a time The idea of having to navigate these conditions is what kept me away from the popular area for a long time I found Anettai Chaya by accident as I made my way through the hills of Motobu peninsula Its name means “semi-tropical teahouse” and it overlooks the waters Ie and Minna Islands call home Many tourists rave about the teahouse and post photos online so I decided I would bring my family to check it out The teahouse’s orange roof and pale-yellow walls stood out amongst the lush green of the hills it sits on Inside the teahouse looks like a fancy southeast Asian resort and the theme moves to the outdoor seating complete with Chinese Fan Palm leaves filtering the sunlight and hammocks perfect for a quick post-meal nap Tables and chairs along a cliff overlooking the ocean on the sunny winter’s day were an inviting option It was not my first time to be on that hill because I had been to other cafés and restaurants in the area While gazing in amazement at the ocean and the islands topped with whipped cream and ice cream along with diced kiwi and oranges The dish’s restrained sweetness felt very soothing especially after being a little nervous on narrow roads The scent of coconut oil went well with coffee The pieces of toast were served with a festive mini-parasol and a Cooktown orchid for a nice tropical touch My family and I also shared the Cinnamon Toast Set which had a refined taste I would imagine a fine bakery in France might serve The restaurant also offers different lunch sets featuring a variety of dishes like gapao rice I was already imagining how my next visit would include one of their other delicious options and a view of the sun setting the worry about the narrow roads leading to the experience melted away Once you’ve tried Anettai Chaya’s delicious food you’ll forget all about it and will be ready and refreshed for your next adventure *The easiest way to get to the location is to go northwest on Route 84 on Motobu Peninsula Anettai Chaya is located near Kajinho a.k.a Between the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Okinawa Japan experienced years of continuous rollbacks as many of their islands and territories controlled by the Japanese Imperial forces were reclaimed by Allied forces in the west Pacific region the United States military was finally in Japan and Iwo Jima This poor chunk of land would provide naval facilities to protect the invasion fleet and air bases that would bring American bombers within 372 miles of Japan a distance that could defeat the Japanese Empire The Japanese military knew the United States would ultimately win the battle for Okinawa but their mission was to delay them on the island for as long as possible there was no more hope in the capabilities of the Japanese Imperial Army The last day to the Battle of Okinawa was June 22 An American flag was flown over the southern end of the island both the American and Japanese commanders were dead so did many more American service members to ensure Japan would no longer be a threat was drafted into the Army near the end of World War II service members had different experiences with the people in Asia Grandpop had a positive experience with the Japanese and Okinawan people He bought postcards and took many photos of his travels while stationed in Okinawa He wrote brief descriptions on the back of most photos Once my family began noticing the passion I had finding and exploring battle-related sites on Okinawa these black and white photos were sent to me One picture is of him standing in front of a shrine Side-by-side photos of author's grandfather and son in Motobu A surprise nearly 70 years later It was March 2013 It was going to be a mommy day with our two children while my husband did a few things around the house the "to do" list was completed Saturday morning; it was going to be a fun-filled family day in Motobu I was hoping to go back the same way we just came to explore a few culture assets and recognized locations in this area until Hannah and William woke up I was assured that we would stop at these places on the way home and to find something closer to the aquarium Jeff and I agreed to explore Bise Village – a quiet and old neighborhood tucked away by farmland and fields with dirt roads to travel in and out of the village Large Fukugi trees line the roads and paths They provide shade from the sun and protection from wind and rain during typhoon season we began walking around and bought souvenirs at the village's shell shop We noticed privately owned restaurants and old stone walls dividing personal pieces of property in a grid-like pattern The sound of waves echoing through its narrow paths attracted us to the oceanfront property where pieces of sea glass and tropical shells were found Even though our children enjoyed discovering a cave on the beach as well as playing in the tidal pools that high tide left behind they were patiently waiting to leave for the aquarium Our electronic map said to "make a left," but that road was too narrow to fit the van We continued driving until coming to a wider road to exit the village on I was flipping through the photos that were already taken that day when I noticed a cement structure representing Okinawan culture I told Jeff to stop and jumped out of the van before it came to a complete stop I compared this shrine to two black and white photos of a "sacred shrine (in) Motobu Okinawa." I finally found the exact spot my late grandfather stood in June 1945 talking to historians at the Motobu History Museum as well as researching shrines in northern Okinawa I couldn’t find any information about the shrine in Grandpop’s picture I questioned the shrine’s current state of existence due to the island's history A piece of grandpop Personal pieces of paradise are created when an adventure leaves a person speechless with a feeling never experienced before we visited the Ocean Expo Park and Bise Village regularly I sat and stared at this 30- by 50-foot piece of land that is a part of the world… and a world of its own Relaxed feelings of amazement and glee were felt when being at my piece of paradise in the southwest Pacific This shrine leaves me speechless and certain that Bise Village in Motobu will forever hold the spot that my grandfather and I have shared halfway around the world and decades apart Since that first time in Bise Village almost a decade ago we began following my grandfather’s footsteps around the Pacific Theater and visited the Imperial Palace and its hotel in Tokyo My family and I took a trip to mainland and found the spot where he stood in front of the Imperial Palace Comparison photos were created which included the postcards that Grandpop and my family both bought of the same location That family adventure was to there in 2016 and our six years on Okinawa quickly came to an end That was when I regretted never getting a family photo of Jeff and me in front of the shrine in Bise Village We had to come back before Jeff hit 30 years in the Marine Corps Jeff was able to get orders back to Okinawa after three long years of being away from my personal piece of paradise I am hoping to find at least one… maybe two more sites where my grandfather stood while in Nagoya Last year in early May I set out for the north to hit the beach Though the temperatures were still a bit cold ifor a swim I couldn’t wait to take a dip in the ocean water any longer My destination on that day was Uppama Beach on the northern coast of Motobu peninsula and Uppama Beach was the perfect place with enough room to accommodate many visitors without feeling crowded Although Uppama Beach itself is a public beach and can be used for free I decided to use Hotel Bel Paraiso’s paid services for convenience 300 yen for showers and 500 yen for a beach parasol I expected many tourists on the beach when I left the shower room at the hotel but found there were only a few I was the only one daring enough to jump into the water at first I had heard that this long stretch of white sand turned black when pumice stone swarmed Okinawa in 2021 but the beach looked beautiful as advertised I spent the first five minutes or so just bathing soaking my body in the water to get accustomed to the temperature the peaceful waters felt comfortable and not too cold so I didn’t have to worry about scratching myself against rocks and coral after a few minutes my eyes got used to the underwater and I saw small fish swimming here and there I found a concrete structure that appeared to be used to moor a boat They didn’t seem to be bothered by the unexpected swimmer who hit the beach a little too early I guess they were just taking it easy in the peaceful waters just like I was I was about 20 meters offshore and thought if I swam out a little further But my legs started cramping so I stayed closer to the shore I spent about 40 minutes in the water then took a rest under the parasol and enjoyed the views of the beach and Kouri Island off in the distance Uppama Beach may not be at the top of your list but if you are looking for a beach where you can relax and enjoy a swim with some fish E 127.99261 *parking fee costs 500 yen at Hotel Bel Paraiso *use of shower costs 300 yen I found a sign with the letters “Uehara そば(soba)” and an arrow Following the arrow took me to this soba joint on the southern coast of Yagaji Island It was housed on the second floor of what appeared to be an apartment building I was expecting a modest (and quaint) looking eatery but this place turned out to have a café-style interior Uehara Soba was packed with many customers most of whom appeared to be tourists from mainland Japan I could secure a seat by the window facing Haneji-naikai (inland sea) and ashitebichi (pig’s feet) as sides (or toppings) It seemed to be a good deal because the three toppings are a golden trio for a soba enthusiasts like me the food was brought to my table with more quantity than I had expected With fatigue kicking in after the first swim of the year in the ocean this was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate myself somewhat different from the pale color of Okinawa’s local soba I learned later that Uehara uses wheatmeal and powdered bonito fish in their noodles The pork-bone broth was rich and different from the usual bonito-based stock you’ll find in other soba noodle bowls The broth’s rich taste hit the spot and the toppings all paired deliciously with my meal I was glad I happened to stumble across Uehara Soba because I left with a satisfied tummy and recharged battery for the long drive home Yagaji Tideland Before crossing Yagaji Ohashi a bridge to Ojima Island and further east to Okinawa’s main island I decided to swing by this dry beach west of Yagaji island While Yagaji Beach on the east coast was crowded with campers and beachgoers so I strolled about 100 meters on the tideland away from the shore before reaching the water There were numerous holes in the sandy ground but no sign of crabs or any other sea creatures This tideland is known as a haven for wild birds It is also a destination of migration for birds like Terek and black-headed gulls in autumn through winter I didn’t bring binoculars with me so I couldn’t tell which birds were with me on the tideland The birds confirmed their presence with chirping and swooping E 128.032770 *Free parking space available so I took a drive in search of some sustenance I cycled this area on a road bike and the memories of the uphill slopes along the road came flooding back I was too exhausted from cycling to enjoy the views I could appreciate the lush greenery and peaceful mood of the area The 315-meter-long bridge connects Nakijin Village’s Amesoko District and Yagaji Island and is the fifth longest among all concrete arch bridges in Japan its height offers great views of Kouri Island Kouri Bridge and the strait between Motobu Peninsula and Yagaji Island an inland sea often called “Okinawa no Setonaikai,” because of its similarity to a famous inland sea in the western part of Japan’s main island After leaving my car in a parking area nearby I took a walk on the bridge which opened in 2010 the bridge now seems to fit into its surroundings The view of the peaceful waters was also alluring and soothing letting me forget about the time (and hunger) for a short while E 127.994809 *Parking space available at (N 26.668458 Venue: Yaedake Sakuranomori Park When: Jan 21st - Feb 5th 2023 Many Japan travelers try to plan trips to align with cherry blossom season and for those headed to Tokyo that timeframe is typically from late March to early April If you're visiting before that though all is not lost – head south to Okinawa and you can appreciate beautiful blossoms as early as January Yaedake Sakuranomori Park is located in Motobu around 25 minutes driving time from the central Nago area a small remote island located off the coast of mainland Okinawa’s Motobu Peninsula It was meant to be a hassle-free trip since I had booked a tour package that included snorkeling I got a phone call from the tour company saying they were canceling their tour due to choppy seas but I was already within a 30-minute drive from Toguchi Port and decided I would still try to make my way to the island on my own I found many tourists waiting for the next ferry departing at 10 a.m Several were wearing swimwear and carrying beach gear so it was clear that the high waves did not discourage their craving for water activities bought roundtrip tickets to Minna Island for 1,730 yen (about $11.73) and boarded the ferry Ferry ride to Minna Island Thanks to its c shape Minna Island is often called “croissant island.” The ferry docked at a small port on the back side of the island’s curl seemed to be blooming with beach parasols instead of flowers Swim tubes dotted the waters off the beach and a banana boat zipped by dragging the reverberating sounds of the daring passengers riding it I knew that Minna Island was a popular destination among tourists but it was still surprising to see such a big crowd descending on the small island with a 0.47 km2 dimension there were booths offering water activities High waves mean it may not be the best time to swim in the ocean I really wanted to see what was hidden under the beautiful waters so I hopped on the snorkeling tour without giving it a second thought Into the depths Around 10 tourists and I were taken on a boat for a short five-minute ride to the waters just south of the island for our 30-minute-long snorkeling session I was struck by the depth of the ocean here I could tell my feet were at least 10 meters above the bottom My near-sighted eyes struggled to make out coral reefs spread underneath or the fish swimming around them the crystal-clear water allowed me to get a great view of the beautiful coral reefs and track the sea creatures lurking through the lens of my GoPro The depth of this area was a different experience than snorkeling I’ve done around Okuma Beach and Gorilla Chop on the main island By the time we were back on the island’s shore I walked south on a road that cuts down the middle of Minna from north to south I’d Googled and found out that there were several places to grab a bite to eat down this way Lunch surprise No sooner had I walked for a couple of minutes They belonged to what Okinawans call “parlor,” which is a type of eatery where customers place and receive their orders at a counter before enjoying the food in outdoor seating I stopped at a parlor called the Secret Beach House which serves comfort foods like yakitori skewered grilled chicken and curry rice The tangy tomato sauce and well-seasoned curry sauce went well together I enjoyed my surprisingly-delicious meal on the second floor of the beach house with a great sea breeze and beautiful view Island unwind With a tummy full and heart content I walked further south to a small bay encircled by the croissant island’s crescent arches Maybe the lack of depth and waves of Namonaki Beach makes it unattractive to adventurous visitors Habu awareness As I made my way back to the ferry dock I wanted to explore a little more of the island’s crescent arch down another island-splitting road that runs east to west I remembered that Minna Island was once known as a habu snake hot spot Despite a habu snake cleanup operation in the late 1970s which some say means the venomous snakes were removed I stopped for a refreshing shaved ice (400 yen) at Parlor Tiida I enjoyed the shade of a canopy while I cooled off with my blue Hawaiian shaved ice topped with milk sauce Enjoying the sweet taste of the milk and the vibrant color of the blue sauce brought me back to the memories of the beautiful waters and the peaceful landscape Minna Island (Minna Port) GPS Coordinate: 26.650747 127.817912 *A ferry shuttles between the above-mentioned locations between around 9 a.m The schedule varies depending on the season the ferry departs four times a day from Toguchi to Minna (at 9 a.m. It had been a while since I was on a bicycle I chose the northern part of the island because I knew there’d be less traffic I drove and parked at 21 Seiki-no-mori Park and headed to Habucycle Okinawa at Nago Bus Terminal I reserved a road bike in advance for 3,330 yen (about $23.00) Since this was a road bike with drop handlebars I was positioned over the bike like cyclists in road races I’ve seen on TV I began my Tour de Yambaru by going north on Route 58 around 10:30 a.m My plan was a 52-kilometer trajectory around Motobu Peninsula with a stop on Yagaji island on the way back to Nago City which led me to the west coast of the peninsula I wasn’t sure if it’d be a smooth ride considering how long it had been since I last hopped on a road bike and my rental bike was lightweight and well balanced and motorcycles occasionally passed me at tremendous speeds the traffic volume was lower than I expected I would have seen many snorkelers and divers around But I saw only a few there on that weekday morning After having a short photo-op with the rock The coastal road to Expo Park presented a better ocean view than before time and distance was starting to weigh on me—and there were 30 kilometers or about four more hours of cycling left to go but the route was starting to lead me toward more uphill slopes As I reached Nakijin Village on the north side of the peninsula Even a small hill felt like a big challenge I had to stop several times before getting back on the saddle the idyllic views of the village had some soothing effect Here and there cherry blossoms were in bloom and a stray cat meowed at me from the side of the road as if to cheer me on By the time I reached the northeastern side of the peninsula It was more hilly Tour de France than easy-going bike ride around the island Here is where I could only cycle for 20 meters before having to dismount and walk the bike to rest a little My uphill struggle finally ended when I found a road that led me to Yagaji Island I appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to pedal or walk to go forward so I took a break and enjoyed shaved ice topped with mango for 700 yen (about $6.67) which I bought from a food truck I saw in one of the parking lots along the coast I would have crossed another bridge and go there but getting back to the main island was my priority I looked around and found beautiful beaches of the island Some had thick mangrove forests giving a curious view that I would’ve stopped to check out anyway By the time I reached Okinawa’s main island it was 3 p.m but I still had 10 km to go and my legs were killing me I couldn’t speed up and there were still a few hills to conquer I stopped worrying about the time and distance As I approached the bike shop where I started my trek I felt a sense of relief and accomplishment but I was also feeling good letting the bike carry me forward without pedaling hard My Tour de Yambaru was a mixed experience of exhilarating rides and agonizing uphill struggles Given the effort and energy I had to put into the ride I will not go out for another ride anytime soon But if you have not tried cycling on the island yet I would say “Give it a shot” because it will be good exercise you will have a chance to see the island from a different perspective Just make sure to bring the proper gear because it can make all the difference to keeping your ride a smooth one 21 Seiki-no-mori Park GPS Coordinates: N 26.593416 Bar Oggi GPS Coordinates: N 26.678624636598755 (Closed on weekend) Mango Granita (700 yen) Motorheads prepare for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Park and Rally Challenge returning Sunday The event at Nago Civic Center will host several kid-friendly auto activities including e-motor sports Special vehicles will also be on display throught the venue 60 rally cars will race starting at 9:30 a.m from the venue through different routes around Motobu Town and Nago City A live feed of the race will be projected on the big screen at the event site Bleachers will also be installed near the Motobu course for spectators wanting to see the action up close Access the spectator stands via a free shuttle bus from Motobu Port race on over to Nago for an exhilarating day for car enthusiasts *Parking space is available at Nago Fishing Port (N 26.587182 *A ceremonial start for the Rally Challenge will take place at this venue at 9:30 a.m Shuttle Bus will transport visitors between a temporary parking lot around Motobu Port (N 26.640961 E 127.880421) and the bleachers between 9:30 am and 3:30 p.m Today's print edition Home Delivery A new study has found that the roots of domestic coffee production were near Naha overturning a common belief that the first coffee cultivation in Japan took place in the Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo editor-in-chief of the magazine “Shiki no Coffee” ("Coffee for Four Seasons") recently published the study on the history of Japan’s coffee cultivation based on a reevaluation of several documents including a book written by an agricultural scientist from the Meiji Era (1868 to 1912).googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The discovery came as a surprise to many in the coffee industry and farmers in Okinawa expressed hope that it would serve as a catalyst for boosting coffee production in the prefecture In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By 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To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Motobu Town is a home for some of Okinawa’s most popular attractions Nakijin Castle and a beautiful path lined with “fukugi” (garcinia) trees in Bise The town is also known as one of the earliest cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan according to Motobu Town Tourism Association if you’ve not yet been to Motobu’s popular pizza café you have one more very good reason to visit Pizza Café Kajinho – more famously known to Americans as “Pizza in the Sky” – is located on the top of cliff where you can look down Motobu Town with an ocean-view backdrop sporting Iejima “Since there are many benches and chairs furnished in our garden you can enjoy the view while having meal,” says owner Kensaku Kuba The most popular menu at the café is its original homemade pizza “We use famous spring water from Okuni Trail for our pizza and coffee,” Kuba says “The sweet soft water makes our pizza very tasty with soft yet chewy texture We have used this traditional method ever since we opened over two decades ago.” There are two sizes of pizza – small for 1,300 yen ($8.83) The café’s other popular menu item is acerola juice for 500 yen “Although we add just a little syrup to sweeten it you can enjoy the real taste of acerola,” says Kuba “Acerola may be considered a little too sour and bitter to drink without help of many sugar you will be surprised how sweet and tasty our local acerola is when you sample our juice; it goes perfectly with the rich flavor of our pizza.” Café Kajino may offer a great outdoor view but having your meal inside of the café is also fun Since the shop is housed in old-fashioned Ryukyuan-style house – complete with tile roof you can also get a taste of how ancient Okinawans once lived “We are especially busy during the cherry blossoms festival between middle of January and first week of February every year,” Kuba says if you want to stay there longer for fully enjoying the view and food you may have better avoid the busiest season and hours “You can enjoy a beautiful sunset while sampling our food and drink in the quieter garden,” Kuba said leaving behind the lines of silver razor wire that surround the perimeters of U.S the shabby ribbon of towns that form a kind of urban bricolage is replaced with farmland and salty breezes from the East China Sea Nago is the first settlement of consequence in this region of northern Okinawa sun-blistered wooden homes and little comestible stores it reminds me of the dusty towns along the Mekong River in northern Thailand The improbable decision to choose Nago to host the Group of Eight summit in 2000 briefly put the area on the map It has since dropped off.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); My purpose for being here is to visit its city hall designed by a daring group of young architects who were also the founders in 1971 of a collective known as Team Zoo The group was commissioned to create a building that departed from tradition in a town where building styles were based on Chinese models Ishigaki and Motobu will be able to accept larger ships from April New and extended berths are to be completed at the four main ports of Okinawa prefecture in Japan this April allowing for the arrival of larger cruise ships Construction is currently underway at the ports of Naha Ishigaki and Motobu to expand the capacity of the region to accommodate visits by larger vessels a second cruise berth is being built to receive ships of up to 220,000gt which previously had to use the port’s container terminal located 300 kilometres to the southwest of Okinawa Island on Miyako Island Further works will now make it possible for ships of up to 220,000gt to make use of the extended berth from April Both the Port of Ishigaki on the island of Ishigaki and the Port of Motobu on Okinawa Island have also extended existing cruise berths to enable them to receive ships of a similar size The Naha second cruise berth is scheduled to receive 95 calls from April to December Current restrictions from the Japanese government prevent the visits of international travellers meaning that the first arrivals will be from domestic Japanese cruise lines Tags: Okinawa   Port of Naha   Port of Hirara   Port of Ishigaki   Port of Motobu The most popular stories of the month delivered to your inbox Okinawa Prefecture—The image of a sports stadium filled a projection screen at a gymnasium here where 170 elementary school pupils had gathered “This (photo shows) training in (the biggest) stadium in Kyiv,” said Roman Korol the 36-year-old coach for the Ukrainian national para-triathlon team “But now it’s closed because of the war in Ukraine.” Korol’s presentation to the children at Motobu Elementary School on March 1 was part of the Japan Sports Agency’s program to support athletes from war-torn countries The latest visitors from Ukraine under the program were two para-triathletes coach Korol and a guide for visually impaired athletes The Russian invasion has made it difficult for athletes to train in Ukraine who struggled to book and get to training venues even in times of peace The Ukrainian para-triathletes trained with members of the Japanese national team at a camp in Motobu from Feb 24 through March 5 in preparation for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games The lecture session at the school was aimed at promoting interactions with the local community The Ukrainians also ate school lunches together with the elementary school pupils competed in the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics in the visual impairment class she had to travel about one hour to reach a swimming pool for training Her practice sessions were also disrupted by air-raid alarms Oleksiuk said she was grateful for the “big present” from Japan that allowed her to focus on training in the final stretch before the Paris Summer Games some Ukrainian athletes relocated to other countries and have trained at public sports facilities But their practice periods can be limited because they must share the facilities with the general public The JSA started the program this fiscal year Its stated goal is to extend support to overseas athletes who lack access to adequate training environments because of conflict or war accommodation and other expenses for the athletes to train in Japan A budget of 44 million yen ($300,000) was set aside for the program in fiscal 2023 Japan had run a public-private partnership project for supporting developing countries through sports before the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were held in 2021 Officials suggested a post-Olympic continuation of the effort and the current assistance program for athletes from war-torn countries emerged artistic gymnastics and para-badminton have trained in Japan under the program “The environment for para-sports has improved in many parts of Japan as a legacy of the Tokyo Games,” said Yuji Kakizawa director of the JSA International Affairs Division “We hope to keep providing similar assistance in the years to come.” JSA officials said the program is expected to continue into fiscal 2024 Veterans from Ukraine run in Tokyo Marathon to help colleague Young Ukrainian developing app to help evacuees learn Japanese Surge in Ukrainian evacuees seeking to settle in Japan Ukrainian to pursue science at college in Tokyo to help homeland EDITORIAL: Preparing for long-term aid to Ukraine is now a necessity Japan’s support for Ukrainian evacuees comes in many forms Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Covering an area of 19,000 m² and home to 26,000 marine animals and 740 living species, the Churaumi Aquarium (chura means ‘beautiful’ in the Okinawa dialect and umi means ‘sea’ in Japanese) opened in 2002 and is situated on the coast of Motobu peninsula, on the former site of the International Oceans Exhibition held in 1975 Part of the Ocean Expo Park it is considered the largest aquarium in Japan the island of Okinawa is home to a vast marine ecosystem that is represented in the Churaumi aquatic park and its 77 tanks One of the aquarium’s four floors houses an exhibition dedicated to Japan’s tropical sea floors striped eels… As the sun’s rays are reflected in the water the different tanks reproduce scenes of life in the wild the ‘Deep Sea Experience’ room invites tourists to observe rare luminescent species that can usually only be seen whilst deep-sea diving these animals find themselves in conditions similar to those of their natural environment But the experience doesn’t end there Various dolphin shows are held inside the building throughout the day The main tank at the Churaumi Aquarium is known as ‘Kuroshio Sea’ a name taken from the warm current that flows off the coast of Japan and contains a reservoir covering an area of 7 500 m³ Behind the vast acrylic pane that is 35 metres long an 8.6-metre whale shark lives alongside reef manta rays and other rare species visitors can watch these majestic creatures being fed faced with this spectacle where living beings swim above their heads visitors can get a sense of the power of the sea and its dangers More information can be found on the official website for the Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa Awaji Island: Japan’s ‘First Island’ Offers a Gourmet Taste of a Sustainable Future Sustainable Farming and Flavorful Harvests on Awaji Island Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film we interviewed its founder and chief representative Beachgoers to Okinawa’s Motobu Town area may have come across a unique rock formation as they check out its surrounding coral and schools of tropical fish that live there This huge rock is known as the “Gorilla Chop,” a moniker it earned because it looks like a gorilla performing a karate chop You may catch a glimpse of this unofficial landmark on your way to Sakimotobu Ryokuchi Koen so make sure to stop next time you can travel off base and get a closer look the rock seems to pose like a large ape reaching for a blonde star or getting ready for a fight with Godzilla (No ties to King Kong or Donkey Kong have been confirmed.) An enjoyable experience is worth repeating So when I finished teaching a two-week Summer Intensive at a university in Tokyo and was ready to return home to Okinawa I decided to again take the ferry from Kagoshima as I had done the year before I traveled on the Marix Line ferry Queen Coral 8 but this year I booked a passage on the A-Line ferry Akebono And last year I sailed all the way home to Naha aboard the ferry on the north end of Okinawa Honto (main island) and stayed a couple of nights in this quiet seaside town before going back to the city.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The Marix and A-Line ferries sail on alternate days from Kagoshima Port the southernmost of Japan's four main islands and both stop at four islands in the Amami Group — Amami Oshima Okinoerabu and Yoronto — as well as Motobu and Naha The A-Line also sails to Amami Oshima and Naha from Tokyo and Osaka 2502 sails near a Japan Coast Guard vessel Motobu off Uotsuri Island one of a group of disputed islands called Senkaku Islands in Japan Captain Kangaroo near Tapic Stadium Nago was known for its hearty burgers this burger joint has become a spot to grab Okinawa’s signature dish Mexican taco burger and more at their new location in Motobu-cho These two restaurants belong to the same chain and also have branches in Osaka and Ishinomaki I stopped by the colorful beach house-looking restaurant in Nago for a taco rice lunch Their vast menu included some familiar names It was a difficult choice to choose between the Special Cheese Taco Rice I went with the Spicy Chicken Rice for 900 yen (about $6) and a Cola Zero for 300 yen which reminded me of the burgers I had had at their branch in Motobu-cho Chunks of fried chicken were piled high on white rice and topped with a red sauce so it looked more like a volcano than taco rice but then a sweetness set in to ease the heat The chicken itself was fried to perfection and still tender I was hooked and finished every morsel of this delicious meal the Spicy Chicken Rice flavor is achieved with sweet chili sauce Shoji also said that the Special Cheese Taco Rice is the most popular menu item and the Teriyaki Chicken Rice is the popular choice among American customers The beef-based taco rice at Captain Kangaroo is different than anywhere else thanks to its use of coarser ground beef I was too full from my filling Spicy Chicken Rice lunch for any other taste tests but I will definitely be returning to try other taco rice dishes at Captain Kangaroo a man took a human vertebra out of aluminum foil and placed it on a rock in a parking lot Then he wrapped the bone back up in the foil and set it on the rock secretary-general of the April 8 Unification and Peace Foundation briefly removed the foil from other objects — not only vertebra but also bullets and clothing used by American soldiers This parking lot — in the sleepy seaside village of Kenken in the Kunigami District of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture — is the place where two Koreans who were drafted to work for the Japanese army during World War II are believed to be buried Ahn was one of a group of people from South Korea and Taiwan who had gathered to begin excavating their remains and other items turned up in a preliminary dig on Feb The group focused their digging on the place where the vertebra had been found Okinawa was the only part of Japan’s home islands that saw major ground combat during World War II The excavation of Korean remains there is a rare occurrence The project was sparked by a photograph printed in the US magazine “Life” in May 1945 an American soldier is gazing at the ocean next to wooden grave markers bearing inscriptions in kanji Two of those names (given their Chinese reading) are “Geum San Man Du” and “Myeong Chon Jang Mo,” presumably Japanese-style names that Koreans were forced to adopt during Japan’s colonial occupation After cross-referencing those names with a list of Koreans conscripted during the war Okinawan activists confirmed that the graves belonged to individuals named Kim Man-du and Myeong Jang-mo who had been drafted as workers for the Japanese army a ship that had been requisitioned as a transport ship for the Japanese military A large number of people died aboard that ship in a US air raid on Jan The 14 individuals whose names appear on the grave markers include the captain of the Hikosan Maru It’s unclear whether the vertebrae unearthed on Feb It’s not even clear whether they’re Korean “The maturity of the bones suggests the deceased was no more than 18 or 19 years old,” said Park Seon-ju professor emeritus of archaeology and art history at Chungbuk National University and an expert on the excavation of human remains they might not belong to the 14 people [on the grave markers],” Park added Another factor driving the excavation project is the fact that villagers identified the specific spot where the victims’ remains had been buried after their cremation The excavated bones show no signs of cremation “Some of the villagers say the bodies were cremated while others say they were buried intact,” said Fukiko Okimoto one of the leaders of the excavation project it’s impossible to say for sure whose bones they are In order to make a positive identification the bones would have to contain enough DNA for testing Even if too much time has passed for the remains to be returned to their loved ones we need to restore their dignity as human beings who once walked the earth,” Okimoto emphasized A ceremony for the departed was held before the excavation began on Sunday The people gathered expressed their hope that the spirits of the remains would return home looking much the same as it had in that 75-year-old photo overseen by a joint action committee comprising a South Korean NGO called Stepping Stones to Peace and a Japanese group organized to “send home” the human remains at Kenken Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr] Japanese version This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent By Yusaku Yano and Miyako Taniguchi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers The tourists flocking back to Okinawa Prefecture this summer are no longer under the pandemic restrictions of the past three years A shortage of rental cars is only one area of the problems in the prefecture’s fragile transportation infrastructure that are affecting its vital tourism industry Candidates in the upcoming Okinawa gubernatorial election have made revitalizing tourism a key issue putting utmost importance on coming up with a strategy to smooth out the bumps in the infrastructure road a town in the northern part of Okinawa Island it doesn’t mean anything if they don’t have a means of transportation,” Uchiyama 29 as he stowed away gear due to the approach of Typhoon No The distance from Naha Airport to the town as the crow flies is more than 50 kilometers and most of Uchiyama’s customers come in rental cars But the shortage of rentals is dealing the northern part of the island a severe blow the number of customers to Uchiyama’s shop recovered to about 80% of pre-pandemic levels but he said that many tourists used shops around Naha because they could not get rental cars Okinawa Prefecture is almost completely dependent on cars for everyday life save for a single monorail that connects Naha Airport with the city center and Urasoe City The rental car business is a key pillar of the prefecture’s tourism industry but when tourist numbers plunged during the pandemic rental car companies began selling off cars as a cost-cutting measure Even as tourist numbers started to recover it was difficult to stock up on cars so quickly which created a “rental car refugee” phenomenon of tourists left stranded Motobu and other municipalities far from the airport operate free buses connecting hotels and tourist spots The towns made it possible to transfer from expressway coaches to the buses and so the effect on luring tourists is limited,” lamented one official their numbers have also declined because elderly drivers and others have been leaving the business It has produced a paradox in which the tourism industry is getting the demand it so desperately needs To overcome the shortcomings in the industry OTS Service Management Research & Consulting Inc. and its business partners launched a website called Okinawa Compass which offers tourism information about hotels restaurants and other destinations that match the preferences of the user The website also proposes transportation options to users and there are plans to incorporate MaaS (Mobility as a Service) which is seen as a next-generation mobile service that will allow users to make reservations on smartphone screens The company’s aim is to enable tourists to smoothly transfer from the monorail expressway buses and other means of public transportation thus enhancing convenience and mobility during their trip “Unless we change the way of doing things from prior to the pandemic the tourism industry [in Okinawa] can not survive,” said OTS President Masahisa Yamada the three candidates made attracting tourists a key part of their platforms Mikio Shimoji vowed to “realize a goal of 20 million tourists,” Atsushi Sakima pledged to “provide ¥100 billion worth of support to the tourism industry,” and incumbent Denny Tamaki said he would “achieve ¥1.2 trillion in tourism income over the next 10 years.” all three candidates brought up the building of a railway line that will run the length of Okinawa Island But such a project has never been confirmed as feasible and thus any strategy to change the current situation is not within sight “Though so much importance is placed on how to attract tourists from outside of the prefecture the most urgent task is to overcome the fragile public transportation system,” said Prof Kazuhiro Miyagi of Okinawa International University “In addition to infrastructure improvement over the mid- and long-term it is necessary to take measures to disperse the effects of the recovery from the pandemic throughout the prefecture.” Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Japanese version By Dan Nakaso Every monthly meeting of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team Veterans Club begins somberly with a reading of the names of the recently deceased and a moment of silence to honor the nisei boys from Hawaii who went off to war Club President William Thompson each month hands the honor of reciting the names to one of the club’s vice presidents At the age of 86 — hard of hearing and with a bad back and knees — Thompson is one of the younger veterans who made up the 10,000-member all Japanese-American combat unit that returned to the islands and the mainland as one of the most highly decorated units of its size While the roster of the 442nd’s dead continues to grow through this Fourth of July holiday the survivors are preparing a head count of their dwindling numbers to present at the club’s July 12 meeting Thompson said he won’t be surprised if the number of his comrades still alive in the islands turns out to be 600 — or closer to 400 "I am worried it’s going to be very low," he said The tally of the 442nd veterans surviving in Hawaii is being done in anticipation of formal recognition by Congress Senate would grant a collective "Congressional Gold Medal" to members of the 442nd and the 100th Infantry Battalion — in Hawaii and the mainland — for their service during World War II the Hawaii-born men of the 442nd want an accurate roll call of their buddies in the islands to ensure they all get proper recognition "You want to give it to the guys who are still alive," said 442nd veteran Ronald Oba They don’t like to put on a show." Representatives of each of the 442nd’s 22 units will report on their surveys on July 12 Oba will tell Thompson that he has counted 32 survivors from Fox Company still living in Hawaii "When we first answered the call to volunteer 2,800 of us went to Camp Shelby to train," Oba said "After all of the casualties and guys killed in action in Italy and France we kept getting replacements that amounted to four times the original number." The start of each 442nd meeting is especially poignant for Oba who documented his World War II experience in a book "Especially when we have Fox Company boys on the list we’re getting smaller every month,’" Oba said The 442nd’s monthly "honor roll" of the recently deceased averaged 17 members from both the 442nd and 100th Battalion for the first six months of the year But the most recent count showed an unusually high number with 19 442nd veterans and four from the 100th Battalion "but some months it’s real long," said Fred Ida a survivor of George Company who has yet to finish his count of survivors Among the names on the latest honor roll are two from George Company who died June 16 after a career in Hawaii as a social worker Motobu’s name on the list propelled Thompson back to the days just before he and the rest of the Hawaii boys left for war As he looked at Motobu’s name at the 442nd’s McCully clubhouse "Kazuo and I were classmates back in Hilo High School — class of 1941." Like many of the 442nd survivors who grew into old men and enjoyed a lifetime of peace in the islands Thompson wants his ashes interred with his buddies who did not make it back and are buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Taiwan fishing boat suspected of entering Japanese no fishing zone Japan coast guard vessel Motobu off the Diaoyutai Islands 7689TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwanese fishing boat was boarded by the Japanese coast guard on Friday (July 5) The Taiwan Coast Guard said the Fuyang 226 (福洋266號) fishing boat was intercepted just over 500 km off Taiwan’s north coast at 1 a.m. on Friday, per CNA The vessel’s Taiwanese captain and two crew members were taken onboard a Japanese boat for questioning Six Indonesian fishers were left aboard the Taiwanese boat during the investigation Taiwan’s foreign ministry issued a statement at around noon that said it and the Taiwan representative office in Japan have asked the Japanese authorities to release the fishers as soon as possible.  The Coast Guard issued a press release just before 7 a.m and said it had dispatched vessels to monitor the incident It said the Fuyang 226 was suspected of trying to enter the waters around Japan’s Anami Oshima Island The Coast Guard said the Fisheries Agency is working with Japanese authorities concerning the case Taiwan lawmaker condemns Chinese fishing vessel incursions Mexican man rescued from Diaoyutai Islands by Japanese Coast Guard Prosecutors say Taiwan Coast Guard did not act illegally in fatal pursuit Filipino fisher injured after Taiwanese and Chinese boats collide unmarked research vessel found drifting in Taiwan Strait Taipei MRT reminds passengers of drinking water ban Taiwan dollar hits NT$29 per US dollar triggering currency exchange rush Central Bank steps in as Taiwan dollar posts strong single-day gain Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes off east Taiwan Vietjet flight makes unscheduled landing in Taiwan Taiwan ranked 2nd most innovative country in world US tech earnings spark Taiwan stock market rally Four Vietnamese residents found dead in northern Taiwan Taiwan ranks 1st in Asia on World Press Freedom Index US Congress members urge Somalia to reverse Taiwan passport ban The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser. Copyright THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. The best Italian chefs make their mark through their secret ingredient they place in pasta sauce At En Japanese Dining Bar and Z’en Japanese Cuisine their secret ingredient isn’t something you’d expect – Motobu Beef from Okinawa Motobu beef isn’t widely known around the world – yet Beef lovers often seek out the famous Kobe beef or Matsusaka beef they have a rival that is beginning to make big waves in the culinary world Motobu beef were born and gattened up in Yanbaru of Okinawa where the cattle is raised on a very special diet Located in Japan’s southernmost prefecture Okinawa’s subtropical climate offers great condition for reproduction of cattle fermented feed with added lactic acid bacterium and brewer’s grains that are drained from Orion Beer it contains a lot of dietary fibres and has a higher ratio of unsaturated fatty acid compared to general Kuroge Wagyu Motobu farms produces beef that is tender yet sweet in flavour The excellence of Motobu beef has been proven by 7 consecutive wins in Okinawa Stock Raising Expo since 2006 the prized cattle won an “Outstanding Award” which is the grand prize equivalence at Japan National Livestock Agricultural Competition Importing the meat directly from the ranch in Okinawa En Group is the only restaurant group in Singapore to offer it They have launched two types of all-you-can-eat Wagyu course with A5 grade Motobu Beef En Japanese Dining Bar builds upon the concept of modern Japanese dining bars known affectionately to the locals as an ‘Izakaya’ and are extremely popular among the cosmopolitan crowd in Japan With a wide spread culture of ‘a beer after work’ it calls for a place where people can relax and chill out with fellow colleagues & friends over some beers and good food En Japanese Dining Bar also specialises in Okinawan cuisine to appease those with a voracious appetite they are offering a Wagyu yakiniku semi-buffet with 10 accompanying Okinawa dishes at $58++ (usual price $88++) You can get FREE FLOW of A5 Motobu beef within 90 mins sashimi salad with Okinawa dressing and prawns with Okinawa seaweed (mozoku) Mozuku is a type of seaweed characterized by its unique viscous texture and the presence of fucoidan Okinawan mozuku is widely popular in mainland Japan its simple flavor makes mozuku a suitable ingredient for any type of cuisine it has been wrapped with the prawns to give it an interesting bite No meat eater can resist the marbled beef slices sweet ponzu sauce and grilling of this meat I don’t remember how many pieces of Motobu beef entered my stomach succulent and tender that they really do melt in your mouth We enjoyed the yakiniku at the al-fresco area where there is a light breeze and we pair with Orion Beer there are many Okinawan dishes such as Hirayachi (pancake) spicy kimchi soup with clams and matcha ice cream for dessert Hirayachi is fried with little oil in a pan and consists of eggs The snack is popular in Okinawa due to the fact it’s easy to make and the ingredients are typically ones people always have in their home With influences from China and Southeast Asia we can see that Okinawa dishes has Chinese influences Having these dishes feels like I am having dinner in a Okinawa family a blend of vitamin and mineral-rich bitter melon (goya) We love the promotion so much that we have already made reservation to come back for Christmas There’s no better time to indulge in a little bovine goodness right Note that Yakiniku is only available at the Al fresco dining area you can opt for the Shabu Shabu option with the same course at additional $10 P/S: En Japanese Dining Bar is presenting a Tuna Cutting show at the Mohd Sultan outlet on 19 Dec (Fri). For interested readers, please visit http://www.endiningbars.com for more information ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– Z’en (a sister outlet of En Japanese Dining Bar) is a mean to reaching a calm and tranquil sense of being Reflecting this philosophy in our food culture the culinary team at Z’en combines traditional with a touch of modern to create some of the restaurant’s hugely popular signature dishes while keeping it neat they offer a 10 course set with free flow of Motobu beef served in Shabu Shabu at $68++ (Usual Price $98++) We started with cold tofu with queen crab topping the dishes here brings a modern touch while keeping its Japanese roots Mentaiko Udon sounds like a fusion dish that’s trying too hard But it is indeed a delicious fusion with the udon cooked al-dente and tossed in creamy mentaiko sauce It is slightly heavy but definitely brimming with umami visual presentation is not spared any effort as each dish is artfully designed to bring out its essence and utmost taste Special shabu shabu pots sit on portable burners on each table The shabu shabu base is mild and sweet when we tried it on its own but the ingredients gave it a different dimension We’re presented with 2 types of dipping sauces: A homemade citrus-y Ponzu Sauce and a more aromatic you’re served a plateful of assorted fresh vegetables I enjoy letting as many flavors combine as long as possible so I usually add in a good portion of each of the ingredients right at the start (when the broth begins to simmer) It has been so tenderly cared for as the thin slice of beef should only be blanched in the hot water for about 5 seconds Excellent meat quality which is buttery with light beefiness grilled white fish with mushroom sauce and matcha ice cream If the thought of gathering up some friends and family Seafood and top-quality Beef – Shabu Shabu style – in a warm then look no further than Z’en Japanese Cuisine Site by Stitch Interactive Terms of use•Privacy policy Making the trip to Okinawa with kids was the holiday I waited years for – literally you may be thinking but I really did wait for a few years to make the family trip to Okinawa The reason is that given the activities in Okinawa I thought 4 to 9 years old will be a great age for a family holiday to the island in the South of Japan We took a direct red-eye flight from Singapore to Okinawa and chose to drive straight to Motobu on our first day The plan was to drive north and then slowly head south across the island to experience all it had to offer From Naha airport to Motobu (the northern-most area of Okinawa where tourists typically stop) it is only about a 1.5-hour drive but we had planned two pit stops along the way (and to ensure that the kids tire out so that they can nap around their usual naptime) a public park with a long playground slide There were numerous green spaces that are great fun for children and that it also gave them the chance to stretch their legs Our second stop was the Blue Seal Ice Park Blue Seal Ice Cream is THE famous Okinawan Ice Cream You will see Blue Seal ice cream all over Okinawa If you pay a visit to the Blue Seal Ice Cream factory it is a less-than-10-minute drive from Urasoe Park you will be given a sheet to choose your ice cream design you will then pick out the ingredients and begin the ice-cream making! We queued for the ingredients with our design and then dipped the ice cream to coat it with the flavour of choice. Finally we decorated it with the icing and toppings and then got to bring it home While my girl and I enjoyed the overall ice-cream making experience immensely my son seemed to love eating the free soft serve he received at the end of the workshop more The experience at the Blue Seal Ice Cream factory costs 1500 yen per child Blue Seal Ice Park, 905-0206 Okinawa Urasoe City Makiminato 5-5-6 we put them in their car seats and headed on to Motobu Our hotel at Motobu was the Marine Piazza Okinawa We stayed in the Japanese Western room and it was spacious The view from the hotel overlooks the dolphins at the next door Genki Motobu Village Many folks travel to Motobu for the famous Churaumi Aquarium The dolphin lagoon has free shows and I personally liked the Native Okinawan Village You can also feed the dolphins for 500 yen Churaumi Aquarium is one of the highlights of Ocean Expo There is a mini theatre for visitors to learn more about marine life We learnt that there is a deep sea current (like a highway) along Okinawa island This current results in Okinawa enjoying a huge variety of marine life Some of the sea creatures spotted in Okinawa have even been tracked all the way to Mexico The children had fun playing at the outdoor playground in the gorgeous Okinawan weather A short walk from Churaumi Aquarium (still within Ocean Expo) there were old ladies from Motobu present who showed us how to play their traditional 3-string instrument These ladies also taught us their traditional dance and the experience was completely free It was also free to dress up in the traditional Okinawan Ryuku costumes which are slightly different from Japanese costumes Take note that the attractions close around 4.30 pm. Even after spending a whole day at Ocean Sea Expo we did not manage to visit all the attractions within Ocean Expo Park Ocean Expo Park, 424番地 Ishikawa #TIP 1: Visit Ocean Expo Park JAPANESE site then right click for google translate instead of diving into their English version site #TIP 2: Look out for the “Free Activities of the Day” Poster at the point of entrance you get to visit the 4th floor of the aquarium where you can see the tank from top down view As I knew we were leaving Motobu the next day and because I was feeling slightly ambitious I asked the hubby if it was alright to visit the Nakijin Castle Ruins (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Do remember to get the tickets at the booth (near carpark) before heading to the heritage site They provide walking sticks for senior folks and let’s just say that Kungfu Panda inspired us to try out some moves with the walking stick Some elderly Japanese who were using the walking sticks had a great laugh when they saw my little ones with the sticks we decided to head to Genki Motobu Village basketball and the kids also had the chance to role play different jobs (similar to KidZania) They changed into their work clothes then started with feeding of fish They then cleaned tanks and scrubbed a turtle’s back They used their pay to exchange for little gifts at the mart Genki Motobu Village, 410 Hamamoto we headed to the middle of the island and to our next hotel we had the option of purchasing some attraction tickets at discounted prices we decided to visit these places which were en route to our next destination the exhibits were nice while the sub-tropical plant landscape added to the Jurassic Park look-and-feel of the park They also have little coin-operated kiddy rides for kids to climb aboard a “dinosaur” Right across the street from the Dinosaur Park is a beautiful little restaurant selling Okinawan food The sets starts from 800 yen and what a spread we got We also made a stop at the Nago Pineapple Park This is a theme park dedicated to pineapples our accommodation for the evening. The hotel is situated by the beach and is relatively close to the famous Blue Cave the sun was setting but we decided to hit the beach and take some quick photos of my girl in her mermaid costume While we had brought along our own mermaid fins for the holiday the resort also does offer mermaid photography There were night time performances at the hotel too we brought our 6-year-old and 4-year-old snorkelling we had practised with them to give them confidence but we weren’t sure if they would be ready for the “real thing” In fact, we were not sure if we would even be able to snorkel as we had not made any bookings in advance we still drove to the vicinity of the Blue Cave to look for a company to bring us out I must say the adults (parents and the guide) were completely surprised that the kids did not scream and shout in the water the two young ones just focused on snorkelling and watching the fish in the water All of us were mesmerised by the marine life and thoroughly enjoyed snorkelling in Okinawa said that he was so happy that we decided to do it #TIP 5: Go with a guide that speaks English We were turned away from a shop because we did not speak Japanese #TIP 6: You can get to snorkelling by either the boat entrance or beach entrance The beach entrance can be a little steep and rocky for young ones My son came out of the water feeling really cold and shivering despite wearing two layers of wet suits! Thankfully our guide was well-prepared with heated water The owner of Take Dive spoke English and the shop provides snorkelling equipment The snorkelling experience costs between 3500 yen to 5500 yen per person depending on whether you choose to enter the water from the beach or from a boat Though we had only spent about an hour in the water we were completely tired out. It was back to the hotel to rest we just spent some time at the hotel’s arcade and playing with fire crackers that were sold at the hotel’s mini-mart After the adrenalin-filled experience in the water We went to the onsen within the hotel’s compound It is a typical Japanese onsen that does not allow any clothes “Since we are here to experience something different My daughter initially freaked out when I tried to prep her but once she saw what everyone else was doing we did not want to go anywhere but back to bed We did have a chance to take a walk at the beach before having a dessert buffet lunch The dessert buffet lunch was not planned for we chanced upon it and discovered that for 500 yen per adult We were ready for our next adventure – a Pirate Ship game activity at the Renaissance Hotel This hotel activity is opened to the public and so we decide to sign up for it The hotel provided pirate attire for the kids to dress up and the children got to learn how to operate the pirate ship It was a HUGE pity that the sea was very choppy on that day Part of the Pirate experience involves a storyline with riddles for kids to solve so the only thing we could fully participate was the water gun battle!!! We won the battle and the children received some coins which could be exchanged for “loot” at the gift shop Along the way, we stopped to admire the famous elephant-shaped rock formation at Cape Manzamo. The children enjoyed the view, watching the waves crashing against the rocks It is made of very stretchy material that children can roll down It was back on the highway towards Naha to return our car While we enjoyed the freedom of having the car Naha was just too crowded to drive around and parking fees were pricey the city’s Yu-Rail also makes it easy for travel within Naha we took the Yu-Rail to Shuri Castle and walked Shuri Castle is a huge compound and to encourage you to tour the entire place each visitor receives a card to collect ink stamps we could not take photos within the castle because photography is disallowed We discovered a little café within the castle in a room where the ancient Ryuku kings used to have tea ages and ages ago The kings’ tea room has been turned into a tea café A set with tea and traditional treats costs about 600 yen We took a seat and savoured the experience #TIP 7: Things along Kokusai Dori is cheaper as you head closer to Miebashi Station (Yu-Rail) and more expensive towards Makishi Station #TIP 8: There are exotic cafes in that vicinity my kids scream in the presence of dogs and cats we have come to an end of the Okinawa leg of our family hoiday Okinawa has fantastic beach activities lined-up during the summer period It looks super exciting but we chose to visit during winter because we initially wanted to do whale watching the temperature in Okinawa during winter is an enjoyable 13 to 18 degrees Looking at all the activities that Okinawa has to offer don’t you think it is perfect for a family holiday with pre-school and primary school children Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Get a taste of the Japanese island paradise at these 5 restaurants participating in the Okinawa Menu Fair this month Rachel Tan is the Associate Digital Editor at the MICHELIN Guide Digital A former food magazine writer based in Singapore she has a degree in communications for journalism but is a graduate of the school of hard knocks in the kitchen and tamarind come together in a bowl that has stood the test of time — and taste Singapore’s bustling melting pot of multiethnic cuisines wouldn’t be complete without a dazzling — and often Discover which dishes our MICHELIN inspectors loved in this year’s selection Why choose between a luxurious stay and a world-class meal when you can have both These MICHELIN Key hotels in Japan and Thailand are home to MICHELIN-Starred restaurants offering the perfect blend of impeccable hospitality and cuisine Chef-proprietor Aidan Low of MICHELIN-Selected restaurant Akar in Kuala Lumpur unearths a host of native Malaysian gems inviting diners to marvel at uncommon ingredients of the country's indigenous culinary landscape With just enough time to plan a trip before cherry blossom season this spring we're taking a closer look at one of the best hotels in Kyoto Discover unique ways to experience Tokyo’s winter charm—from glittering lights to gourmet delights—according to a local a dessert-focused restaurant earned a MICHELIN Star Chef Koichi Katsumata redefines fine dining through an eight-course dessert experience proving that sweets can be just as sophisticated as savory cuisine Actor and idol Yuta Tamamori shares his favorite Tokyo addresses with MICHELIN from third-wave coffee spots to serene hotel restaurants MICHELIN Guide inspectors sample an endless procession of dishes a dish lands on their tables that is simply unforgettable The popular belief about the MICHELIN Guide is that it’s all about the stars Bib Gourmand awarded restaurants are adored by their many diners because these restaurants offer satisfaction beyond what you’d expect for the price we present a list of thirteen restaurants that will be joining our Tokyo Selection SÉZANNE is newly awarded Three MICHELIN Stars in the 18th edition of the MICHELIN Guide Tokyo One restaurant newly awarded Two MICHELIN Stars and 13 restaurants newly receive One MICHELIN Star The MICHELIN Green Star highlights the eco-friendly initiatives of one new restaurant Three Special Awards presented to talented professional including the debut of the Sommelier Award in Japan Our inspector shares their notes on the French-Japanese restaurant’s dishes The announcement of the MICHELIN Stars and Bib Gourmand for MICHELIN Guide Tokyo 2025 on Thursday We offer a look back at last year’s reviews as well as articles planned for release in the coming year For Yoshio Sakuta of the eponymous one-MICHELIN-Starred Sushi Sakuta shari — or vinegared rice — acts as both the physical and culinary foundation of a good piece of sushi these restaurants showcase the best of Tokyo’s culinary scene Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial By continuing I accept the Terms & Condition and Privacy Policy. 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