Get around in Okinawa by monorail

Welcome to Okinawa's friendly English speaking
tour guide- Yukari Marsh's weblog.

Okinawa's monorail is called "Yui Rail" and
it looks like this-- it has only two cars.




Step-by-step instruction on how to enjoy
Yui Rail:

(1) Naha-kuko Station (Naha airport station)




(2)Walkway to the monorail




(3)Fare table: Naha-kuko ~ Oroku: 200 yen
                    (children 100 yen)




(4) You'll find a ticketing machine below the fare table




(5) Ticketing machine: To purchase 200 yen ticket,
      touch the square with <200> on it, then insert
      your money.




(6) English translation - how to purchase tickets.



(7) Station master's office




(8) Ticket gate. Insert your ticket to a slot where
     green arrow points at. Pick up your ticket
     at the end of the gate.




(9) To Train platform.



(10) Train platform sign.




On the monorail, you hear English announcement
at each station.
Enjoy the ride!

Other article on Okinawa's monorail,
written by Yukari.

dated: On Setp. 4th, 2007
 http://blog.livedoor.jp/marshcnet/archives/51047821.html

Holland American Cruise "Volemdam" Okinawa Private Tour

Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide,
Yukari guided a couple privately who were traveling on
Volemdam cruiseship.

Volemdam arrived at Naha Okinawa's new pier
at 7am. The immigration procedure did not go
very smooth, so many tour buses left behind
their scheduled time; and so did my private tour.

We had some sunny break today in Okinawa,
but it was mainly cloudy.
The guests I guided enjoyed their 4-hours tour,
visiting the central part of Okinawa island.

I had another wonderful encounter with the guests today.
Look forward to serving more privately arranged tour
of Okinawa for Holland American Cruise passengers
in the near future.

Bon Voyage.

Diamond Princess Shore Excursion Okinawa

On October 10th,
Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide, Yukari,
met very friendlycruisers from Diamond Princess.

We visited Shuri Castle, Tsuboya Pottery Street,
Heiwa Street, Public Market Street and
Kokusai Street in 4 hours.

Hope to see you here again someday.

Happy Encounter!

(Okinawa World Entertainment Cave Park)

Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide, Yukari, is attending a group of 24 people from North America this week.

Some of them have been to Japan several times; and some are their first time. Places and things they see, foods they try, and culture they encounter here are all special memories to them; I am very glad to serve them and to be a part of their Okinawa memory.

Okinawa still enjoys sunny break with a temparature reaching at 25degrees C in the day time. We are enjoying a comfortable season now. Flowers are still blooming.




Naha Airport International Terminal
Arrival Lobby




Ryukyu-Mura in Onna Village

Naha's brand new pier for cruise ships

October has come; it's the busy season for inbound tourism in Okinawa.  
Between October and December, 
Okinawa, Japan welcomes---
Diamond Princess,
Costa Classica,
Volendam,
Superstar Libra and
Ocean Princess.

Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide (Japanese government certified) Yukari
would like to welcome shore explorers.

The capital city of Okinawa (Naha city) opened its brand new pier for international cruise ships in late last month. It's very conveniently located;
only 15~20 minutes walk to Kokusai Street (International shopping street). Very easy to find your way to the street.

According to the Naha Port Authority Office, this brand new pier has been in use for international cruiseships; however due to its size, Diamond Princess will dock at Naha Shinko Wharf on October 10th, 2009. The Authority Office said the condition for the Diamond may change next year.

Tours for agents

Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide YUKARI would like to say
"thank you" to all those who joined my tour.

Some FIT tours were privately arranged by me, but others were not--
they were orders from Japanese travel agents.

I can not discribe details of tours nor update guests' photos, but the following three photos are from the recent tours.

If you are looking for a privately guided tour of Okinawa in English,
please e-mail me for your quotation.

yukari.marsh[at]nifty.com

Yukari Marsh (left) and the owner of "Emi no mise"
health food restaurant in Ogimi Village,
northern Okinawa.

Incredible color of Miyako's ocean and more!

Island hopping is a new way of traveling in Okinawa, Japan; for there are over 160 large and small islands here (of those 40 islands are inhabited).Okinawa's friendly tour guide (government licensed English speaking tour guide) Yukari Marsh attended a tour from Okinawa's main island ~ Ishigaki Island ~ Taketomi Island ~ Miyako Island for 5 days tour duration.

The scenes on the top and the bottom must be something what tourists are eager to see in Okinawa, and it is possilbe for anyone to take a fantastic pictures with your own camera.

Just look at the following picture....

 

Crystal blue color of Miyako Island.

 

 

If you can afford one of the most luxurious hotels in Okinawa, look up "Shigira Bayside Suite Allamanda" in Miyako Island.

http://www.nanseirakuen.com/miyakoisland/allamanda/index.html

I was lucky enough to have a tour of the hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breath taking view of Miyako Island, Okinawa

Hello, thank you for stopping by at Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide, Yukari's weblog. It has been a long time since last updated this "Okinawa Tour Guide" blog; my guiding schedule had been quite busy and had a lot of opportunity to meet/travel with many international guests.

A few days ago, a tour brought me to one of the most magnificent scenic spots in Okinawa-- that is Miyako Island.

Please take a look at these incredible color of the sea (East China Sea).

 

Photo taken by Yukari Marsh.

(from the Kurima Bridge)

 

 

 

Photo taken by Yukari Marsh.

(from Kurima Island, and the view of Kurima bridge)

 

Miyako island is located about 300 km southwest of Okinawa's main island. There is a direct flight from Naha Airport (Okinawa's main entrance) to Miyako Airport (8 flights per day, operated by JTA-Japan Trance Ocean Air.--you can book your flight on JAL-Japan Airline.).

Miyako still has a good old days of Okinawa's scenary; not touristy, a lot of friendly people, great Miyako beef and other local specialities.

I definately have to come back to Miyako to spend more time on the fantastic beaches.

I will write more article and update more photos of Miyako in my next post.

Kayak in Iriomote

Okinawa's friendly tour guide, Yukari (National  English Guide Interpreter license holder) went to Iriomote again!--this time to experience an "Eco-tourism".

After arriving in Ishigaki Island's airport (1 hour flight from Naha), transfered to Ishigaki Ferry Terminal (15 min by taxi, 900JPY). Took a ferry to Uehara Port in Iriomote Island (45 min, one way ferry fare 2000 JPY).

 

 

This is me (front) on Hinai River, kayaking!!!

 

 

 

Tour I took is as follows: "adventure" tour on Hinai River:

Tour duration 5 hours, price 8000 JPY.

Kayak (40min) -->Forest trekking (30 min)-->Dip in Pisai-nara Waterfall basin and picnic lunch (40min) --> trail back to kayak point (30 min) --> Kayak (40 min).

 

Post conference excursion

Okinawa's friendly English speaking tour guide, Yukari guided a group last week. Many of the guests in the group were internationally well-known Doctors, Professors and researchers.

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

Seaside House in Tancha, Onna Vil.

 

 

Beautifully arranged entrance welcome sign at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu town.

 

 

 

Diamond Princess at Naha New Wharf 2009.04.26

Here she came again - Diamond Princess arrived at Naha New Wharf at noon on April 26th, 2009.

Okinawa's English speaking guide Yukari Marsh met eight active cruisers on this day and took them to a 4-hour port tour. (Shuri Castle~Pottery St.~Market St.~Kokusai St.)

Thank you for choosing my service. I hope that our future paths will cross once again;

Private Tour for a family

Last week on the 22nd of April, I served a 10-hour private tour on Okinawa's main island for a family.

We departed from a hotel in the downtown Naha city, and drove north to Nago city. The expressway drive took about 1 hour and we made the first rest stop at a farmer's market in Nago city. ( If anyone wishes to purchase an admission ticket for the famous Churaumi Aquarium, stop at this farmer's market for a 30% discounted ticket ).

The Aquarium was fairly quiet when we arrived at 10am; it was a perfect timing to arrive to see a dolphin show and to take a good picture of the Kuroshio Tank, the second largest tank in the world (although until quite recently, it was the largest in the world--Dubai took the first place...).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eco-tourism Okinawa

April 22nd is "The Earth Day"; there are many "eco-related" events internationally taking place on or around this day.

 

(photo by Yukari)

-Kesaji Mangrove field; northern Okinawa.

 

I wrote an article on "eco tourism Okinawa" 2 years ago. Since I introduced Okinawa's ecotourism in that article, my interest in "earth friendly" travel has never disappeared. I visited Kesaji's mangrove field a few times on tours and personally.

A good friend of mine who is a Japanese eco-tourguide explained some important roles of mangrove in Kesaji: 1) to prevent rainwater and dirt flowing directly into the ocean from the mountain slope; 2) such rain water and dirt make highly nourishing wetland with lots of plankton; 3) mangrove photosynthetic amount is 1.5 larger than regular trees.

 

 

(photo by Yukari)

- A sign "No entering into/onto the mangrove bushes"

 

There should be a definate guideline for ecotourism in Okinawa. In bringing small groups to enviromentally unique places, I , as a tourguide, must be well aware of the importance of environmental protection and  low impact on the site. The study never ends...

 

Mud skippers dens (holes) in muddy field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mud skipper (image from signboard)

 

 

 

 

Casa la Tida in Onna village

Looking for a great Italian/Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant in Okinawa?  Yukari Marsh - Okinawa's friendliest English speaking tour guide- highly recommends "Casa la Tida" in Onna village.

I have been there several times both for tours and for my private. The location is great- just on the hilltop of Onna village. Drive pass the Renaissance Resort Okinawa on Route 58 (bound for Nago city), pass the first traffice light (Nakadomari light), it's on the left.

Casa la Tida

Phone: [phone]

Open 1130-2400

 

 

Appearance

 

 

 

View from a "sunken-style-seating" room.

 

 

 

Specially designed restroom may make you feel you are a giant. (midget size door makes you bend down to enter the private room, but inside is a regular size space). Unique!

 

If you access the following URL, you can view more images.

(sorry no English URL available; the photos are easy to click on)

Casa la Tida--images of inside

http://www.casalatida.com/photo/casala1.html

Casa la Tida--images of panoramic view from the restaurant

http://www.casalatida.com/photo/casala3.html

Trip to Kume island (3)

Okinawa's friendly tour guide, Yukari Marsh, visited Kume island in late December 2008. Here are some more photos of "relaxing island of Kume"

Bade Haus Kume Island--located right on the famous "turtle back shaped stones" beach. 30-min drive from Kume airport.

 

 

http://bade-kumejima.co.jp/  (this URL is only in Japanese. sorry).

http://bade-kumejima.co.jp/html/badehaus/guide.html (video)

Bade-pool contains 100 % deep seawater; and it's believed to act as healing remedy. Kume island's deep seawater is pumped up from a depth of 600 meters. The large Bade-pool is divided into four innner-sections; but my favourite were a section with jet bubble blowing from beneath to let your body float so easily, and a section with heavy water pressure to give massage-effect on your back, shoulder, neck and legs.

Admission 2,000 yen per adult, open 24/365.

 

Kume island's prawn farm.

 

 

 

"stairs to heaven"

Haisai Okinawa Japan weblog

In addition to "Okinawa Tour Guide" weblog, Okinawa's friendly tour guide, Yukari Marsh, started providing/writing articles/photos at the following URL.

Haisai Okinawa Japan

http://www.okinawa-information.com/blog/

Food Sample at Naha airport

Okinawa's friendly tour guide, Yukari, went to see her friend off at Naha Airport--the Okinawa Gateway. My friend wanted to eat something really Okinawan so we made a quick stop at a small restaurant that specializes in "DON-BURI dishes" (steamed rice served in a bowl with toppings such as stir-fried veges, chiken-teriyaki).

Food samples are displayed at an entrance with price tags.

Okinawan consume a lot of "Goya-green-vegetables" (thinly sliced and stir-fried with pork meat), "Hechima"

 (inside is similar to eggplant, but only green outside).

 

Don't say "I've been to Okinawa"

until you eat "Okinawa-soba"

(Okinawan style soup noodle similar to fettucine).

 

I (Yukari Marsh) ---left

and my tour guide friend Akko---right.

 

 

Naha Airport Food Floor is on the 4th level.

There are Japanese (including Sushi), Okinawan, Italian, and Chinese restaurants, as well as sandwitch shop and a pub.

Naha Airport URL is only in Japanese. Sorry...

http://www.naha-airport.co.jp/food/index.html

Tsuboya Pottery Street

Hai-sai! (="hello" used by Okinawan females) everyone. Thank you for coming to Okinawa Tour Guide blog.

It's been a month since I , Okinawa's friendly tour guide Yukari Marsh, last updated articles in my blog; I've been all over Okinawa in the past 1 month.

One of the places I visited was Tsuboya Pottery street in Naha city- one of my favorite places in Okinawa island - very peaceful, comfortable and I just love it.

This isn't the first time to write about Tsuboya Pottery street; following links take you to my previous posts if you wish.

Tsuboya Pottery Street article 20060922

  http://blog.livedoor.jp/marshcnet/archives/50587300.html

Tsuboya Pottery Street article 20061128

  http://blog.livedoor.jp/marshcnet/archives/50724956.html

Enough talking for now.....Please enjoy virtual Tsuboya.

 

Shi-shi- dog ("Shi-sa") on the rooftop of a pottery baking kiln. Shi-shi dog is believed to scare off evil spirits and protect you, your family and your community.

 

 

 

 

There are two pottery baking kilns ("Nobori-gama" style or so-called "climbing kiln"). This is one of them, used to be used for glazed pottery works.

 

 

 

Masterpiece by  late Jiro KINJO who was a human national treasure. His children, the succesor, are woking in Yomitan Pottery Assembly (Yomitan-no-sato)-40min drive from Naha.

 

 

 

Peace of the silence along a narrow alley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tsuboya Pottery street:

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0111082100.html

http://okinawa-information.com/naha/sightseeing/tsuboya_yachimun_street_tours.htm

Okinawan Sakura 2009

Okinawa's Sakura (cherry blossoms) season has come.

Beautiful pink color flowers are at their best right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike mainland Japanese citizens, local Okinawans don't sit under Sakura trees and have picnics, but we simply enjoy walking under the trees.

 

 

 

 

Photos taken at Zakimi Castle Ruins (UNESCO World Heritage site).

Trip to Kume island (2)

Okinawa's friendly tour guide, Yukari Marsh, visited Kume island in late December 2008. Here are some more photos of "relaxing island of Kume".

 

Yukari stayed at EEF Beach Hotel, which is located right on the EEF Beach.

 

 

This hotel is the only "on-the-beach" hotel in Kume island. 25 minutes drive from Kume airport.

Kume island is easy to get around if you rent a car; there's only one major road (Route 245) which circles around the island.

If you don't drive, Kume-jima Kotsu operates round-the-island bus service daily (5~6 buses a day) from Kume airport. Busses depart Kume airport according to arriving flight schedule. 

Kume airport ~ major hotels on the island ~ Kume bus depot ~ major hotels ~ Kume airport. Bus fare from the airport to EEF Beach Hotel = 390 yen.

I enjoyed strolling on the winter beach and found many interesting things--coral pieces, shells, crabs and castaways from Korea and Taiwan(??).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More INFO of Kume island is here;

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0000211068.html

Trip to Kume island (1)

Okinawa's friendly tour guide, Yukari Marsh, traveled to Kume island on vacation. Here are some interesting places to see there.

Kume island is only 25 minutes away from Naha airport.

Ryukyu Air Commuter and Japan Transocean Airline fly to Kume island daily (7~8 flights per day).

 

 

Kume airport.

 

 

 

 

Kume airport.

 

 

 

 

 

One of Japan Professional Baseball League's teams "Rakuten Eagles" holds their spring camp training on Kume island. Just outside the airport lobby stands a figure of Rakuten player, and at one corner of the airport lobby has a display of the team's flags, uniforms and players' portraits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kume island's beautiful scenaries will be posted next.

 

Key to a long life

Okinawa is famous for its longivity; women's average life expectancy is 86.1 yrs, and mens' 77.6 yrs.

(<--- Health lunch set menu.(clockwise from bottom right)

   Yushi-tofu soup, red rice with soybean, sliced pickled radish and carrot, Konbu seaweed and radish cooked in broth, radish rolled in green vegs, peanut tofu, Tamu-potato dumpling )

Traditional Okinawan diet includes:

*bright color vegetables

*intake of soy beans

*low salt

*intake of seaweed

 

"Food is medicine" --- this is one hint to a healthy life.

 

 

 

A very famous Okinawan senior lady (probably very close to 90 years old) with Awamori-sake bottle (full) on her head. She dances without holding the bottle by her hands, keeping a perfect balance.

 

Nakijin Castle Ruins & Utaki Sacred Spot

I visited Nakijin Castle Ruins last Sunday.

It is located in the northern part of Okinawa Main Island; 85 km away from Naha city.

 

The castle was built in the 13th century and now remains the 1.5 km long stone wall.

Castles in Okinawa were built to protect sacred area called Utaki. Utakis are usually located in a forest grove and looked after by each communities' high priestesses.

 

 

 

Looking up at the sacred Utaki tree- wanting to feel protected by the spiritual power.

 

 

 

 

Diamond Princess at Naha Okinawa

Diamond Princess

Welcome & Mensore to Okinawa's Naha New Port

(Mensore = Okinawan dialect meaning "Welcome")

 

Naha city's tourist information set up a booth to hand out guidemaps for individual travellers who wish to go on their own.

Shuttle busses are available right at the wharf to explore into Naha city.

 

Okinawa based English speaking tour guide, Yukari, met a group of six friendly American travellers.

We travelled down to the southern part of Okinawa's main island, stopping at Peace Memorial Park and Okinawa World Entertaiment Park & Cave.

 

Our friendly driver, Mr. Shimabukuro (nickname- Sam) was with us today. His van is very roomy, comfortable and clean.

To make travel arrangement with Yukari Marsh, please e-mail to:  yukari.marsh[at]nifty.com

 

Okinawan Bull Fight

Yomitan village's (1 hour drive from Naha city) annual Bull Fight Match was held today.

It was my first bull fight match !

The Shi-Shi Lion Dog statue holds a "bull fight ring" sign.

 

The gate for bulls to enter the ring looks like this.

The sun was really strong with 30 degrees C.

 

 

Spectators filled up the seating area, awaiting for the matches to begin.

 

 

 

There were 8 matches held today, staring from the light weight class (750kilograms VS 750 Kilograms).

The two Yokozuna Champion bulls both weigh 1,000 kilograms !

 

Everytime the horns hit against, making thrashing sound.

The winner for this match was the one pressing hard on the other. This match ended within 3 minutes.

 

 

There's no matador in Okinawan Bull Fight match; the winner is decided when the other bull either draws backward, or shows its tail wincing at the powerful opponent.

Guiding is fun!

Okinawa may look VERY small on the world map; but there are lot to see here- Japan's only subtropical climate zone.

When you travel to the northern part of Okinawa Main island, you get to see pineapple field like this.

 

If you  want to experience the true Okinawan Night while enjoying healthy dinner, that's no problem.

 

 

Okinawa specialist, Yukari Marsh, can help your private tour as memorable as ever!

 

 

 

Yukari is a government certified English speaking tour guide.

To send e-mail: yukari.marsh[at]nifty.com

 

Tour van

Okinawa's friendly tour guide, Yukari, can arrange a chartered van (up to 8 passengers).

 

 

It's roomy, comfortable and very clean. All the drivers she works with have at least 10 years experience as a private taxi/van driver.

 

 

For a small size group (up to 2 passengers), she arranges a hired taxi (sedan type).

The Battle of Okinawa

Peace Prayer Park in Itoman city (located in the southern part of Okinawa's main island) is one of the most visited places in Okinawa, and it is where we renew our determination to attain peace.

 

A view from the "Peace Hill" (inscribed in Japanese Kanji character) to Okinawa Peace Hall

 

 

 

A view from Peace Prayer Hall to Peace Hill Monument and Mabuni Hill, which witnessed the severest battle took place.

 

 

 

 

 

Peace Hill Monument-the shape represents a naturally formed cave, in which many citizens of Okinawa hid and fended for themselves.

 

 

 

12 meters high and 8 meters wide Peace Prayer Statue (Okinawa Peace Hall) which embraces the memory of all war dead, was created by the late Shinzan Yamada.  Okinawa's lacquerware technique was used to complete it.

 

 

 

Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0110988100.html

Okinawa's Cornerstone of Peace

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0111086100.html

Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0129999200.html

 

Cruise Season '08-'09

"Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur"

---I cherish this phrase, especially I welcome visitors from abroad. I have so many lucky encounters as a government licensed English tour guide.

 

The above photo was taken last November when I guided a very friendly cruise passenger tour group in Okinawa. During the privately arranged 5-hour tour, we visited the following popular places:

Cornerstone of Peace
http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0111086100.html

Okinawa World:
http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0110683100.html

Public Market, Tsuboya Pottery Street
http://www.naha-navi.or.jp/www1/htdocs/main/travel/en/area/ichiba/index.html

Thanks to my previous guests' recommendation, I have been receiving a lot of inquiries and reservations for 2008-2009 season.

Screw pine & Fernbrake

 

 

 

 

Screw pine often seen along Okinawa's coastline is a kind of shrub; looks like a pineapple but inedible.

 

Fernbrake Green Curtain.

 

 

 

These photos were taken at Higashi Vilage's Mangrove Park. Click the following link (written in Japanese) to check the map.

沖縄県国頭郡東村 (<<--- link to the map)

Resort Wedding Boom Okinawa

Okinawa's white sandy beach and beautiful emerald green ocean make an extra ordinary atmospher for couples who wish to pledge their eternal love.

Wedding business is booming and Okinawa welcomes couples not only from mainland Japan, but also from Asian countries.

 

(Renaissance Resort Okinawa)

 

 

I sometimes encounter wedding ceremonies while on a tour. Just looking at those happy newly weds makes my day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Aquagrace Chapel Yomitan)

 

 

 

 

Chapel on the beach

 

 

 

Bise Fukugi Tree Path

Bise's Fukugi (Garcinia) Tree lined path brings a warm feel to anyone.

This "Green Tunnel" is located just 1 minute away from the famous Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium's Bise Gate.

When you come out of the Bise Gate, you will see a sign to take you there.

 

 

Bise INFO

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0120050900.html

 

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium INFO

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0120531201.html

 

 

Yukari Marsh - Okinawa's friendly tour guide - visited Bise in early May with American customers.

Would you like to see something REALLY Okinawan?

Please let Yukari guide you.

Contact information is shown on Marsh Communication Network Homepage (English page is available)  www.marshcnet.com

 

Something you don't want to miss

These are some things/places you don't want to miss while your stay in Okinawa, Japan. I am going to introduce 3 in the southern and central  part of Okinawa's main island.

 

 

CENTRAL OKINAWA:

92 years old woman dancing with an Awamori (Okinawan sake) bottle on her head! - and the bottle is FULL (unopened!!!)

Ryukyu-mura in Onna village (70 minutes from Naha airport via Route 58)

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0110972100.html

 

NAHA city KOKUSAI street

Arakaki's Chinsuko biscuit shop - Chinsuko is made of mostly lard and flour, with a mild sweet flavor.

 

http://www.chinsuko.com/shop.html

 

 

SOUTHERN OKINAWA:

Giant soup bowl display at Ryukyu Lacquerware Craft Center

http://www.ocvb.or.jp/card/en/0110978100.html

 

See you soon in Okinawa!

Shi-Shi-Lion (Shi-sa)

Probably the most famous Okinawan item is Shi-sa (Shi Shi Lion). It is believed that Shi-sa keeps away evil spirits.

Shi-sa is seen on top of an Okinawan house, on top of house gates, at an entrance area of public halls, tourist facilities, etc.

 

 

 

Please enjoy Yukari's collection of Shi-sa photos; this Okinawa Tour Guide blog is pretty well protected by all these Shi-sas, I hope....

 

 

 

Photo taken at Yomitan Festival.

 

 

 

Shi-sa and yellow flowers at Sun Marina Hotel.

 

 

 

Souvenior Shi-sa sold in Ishigaki city's market.

 

 

 

Another souvenior Shi-sa decoration sold in Ishigaki.

 

 

 

Shi-sa atop a roof (Tsuboya pottery street).

Cruise Critics' Forum

I, Yukari Marsh, -Okinawa's English speaking tour guide- have been well evaluated by one of my customer  in the Cruise Critic forum site. (comment #11)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=693310

Yomitan's Jana Tei

Yomitan village is located in the central part of Okinawa Honto (Big Island); the village is famous for the Sanshin guitar (three stringed musical instrument) and its originator -Master Akainko -, purple sweet potatoes, potters' sanctuary called Yachimun-no-sato, and friendly Yomitan-chu people.

If you are looking for a good food and traditional Okinawan style entertainment, Jana Tei is the place.

Paranku small drum, Yotsudake bamboo castanet, Sanba three wood pieces castanet and song cards are provided at each table for the "experience time"

 

 

 

 

Guests take their seats in the Tatami matted room (sorry no chairs) and enjoy reasonably priced course dinner menu while viewing the Okinawan dance and music.

 

 

 

Kagiyade-fu dance

 

 

 

 

 

Sanshin music and song show

Jana-Tei URL: (sorry no English page)

http://www.murasakimura.com/jyanatei.htm

Phone: [phone]

Address: 1020-1 Takashiho, Yomitan-son

(60 minutes drive from Naha airport)

Yufu Island

Yufu island is located just off the eastern     coast of Iriomote island; the sign on the left says "the entrance to Yufu".

The "entrance" actually locates on the

beach, from where you ride on

a carriage pulled by a water buffallo.

The ride takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on

how fast your buffallo walks!

Time table for buffallo carriage to/from Yufu.

Return ticket: 1,200 yen

     (incl. admission to Yufu)

 

You can also walk across. The admission 500yen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peaceful and easygoing atmosphere totally relaxes you.

 

 

 

 

On a carriage, an attendant entertains passengers with local tunes.

 

In the botanical garden on Yufu island,      

 you can see rice paper butterflies flit from

flower to flower or heart-shaped leaves!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cafe Kurukuma

Whenever I have FIT (small group) tours and guide them to the Southern part of Okinawa Island (the Big island), I recommend them to have lunch or at least a coffee break at Cafe Kurukuma in Nanjo City. The cafe serves great Thai & Asian foods at very reasonable prices.

 

The view from the terrace is breathtaking, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

 

 

 

 

My favourite dish is Thai style fried rice (1,100 yen).

 

Cafe Kurukuma

Phone:[phone]

 

Chinen, Nanjo City.

(1000-2200; closed on Tues)

Their homepage is shown only in Japanese.

http://www.nakazen.co.jp/cafe/

 

If you have a flexible tour plan, please leave the arrangement to Okinawa's No1 tour guide, Yukari.

For tour reservation, please e-mail me at "yukari.marsh☆nifty.com"

(please replace ☆to @, when you send your e-mail.)

Ryukyu-Mura

Ryukyu---it is a name given by the Chinese Emperor when Okinawa was once an independent kingdom.

Ryukyu style houses, most of which are older than 150 years, and good old times' community's scape are recreated in this popular tourist attraction called Ryukyu-Mura.

Ryukyu-Mura is located in Onna village, 60 min drive from Naha airport.

 

As you walk in the premises, a pair of Shi Shi Lion welcome guests.

 

 

 

When Okinawan people become the age of 97, they celebrate "Kajima-ya".

97 year-olds dressed in a bright colored jacket or vest and a hat get in a convertible car (or pick-up truck. / Before automobiles were brought in, rickshaw like this one on the left was used) with many windmills decorated on it.

The vehicle with the day's main person on it along with 5 or 6 cars parade through the community. This typical Okinawan tradition is not only to celebrate the 97s, but also for the attendees to follow the example of long life.

At Ryukyu-Mura, visitors who wish to try on a beautiful Bingata Kimono or King's Kimono can do so with a small fee of 1,000 yen. Photos will be developed just in 5 minutes.

 

 

 

 

can't wait till summer

If you are in the Southern Hemisphere and had a wonderful summer season this year, you maybe ready to have cooler weather by now; but for those who are on the top half of the globe may say "can't wait till the summer comes".

 

Okinawa is located in the subtropical climate zone, so our winter is pretty mild; and yet I have been living here for 18 years - long time - Okinawa's winter is cold enough for me.

 

Here is something everyone is waiting for!

The arrival of summer 2008. Many Okinawan beaches open in three more weeks!

Looking for a private guided tour in Okinawa? 

E-mail me: yukari.marsh☆nifty.com

(in order not to get anymore spam mail, I have ☆symbol above. Please replace the above ☆　to @, when you send your e-mail. Many thanks.)