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Hatenohama, The Other Side of Kume Island: Picking Tours in a Smart Way

Kume Island was once called “Kumi No Shima” in ancient times. It meant, “the most beautiful isle in the Ryukyu Islands”.
Should you find yourself visiting Kume Island, then Hatenohama is simply the place to be.
Never sinking even in full tide, it seems like a mirage straight out of a fantasy setting; a desert floating in the sea.

The combination of the sky, the sea and its white beaches… There are many no-man”s-islands in Okinawa but all of them do not hold a candle to the beauty and size of Hatenohama; Hatenohama is simply on another level.

In this occasion, please let us introduce the charms of Hatenohama, how it can be accessed, as well as picking tours in a smart way that is guaranteed to wow yourself!

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The Ferry Always Used When Going To Iheya Island! Allow Us To Guide You About Things You Might Worry About!

伊平屋島 フェリー

Separated from the Okinawa main islands 40km to the north, the Iheya Island only has one means through which it can be accessed – a ferry boat from Unten Port at the northern region of Okinawa.

Ferry usage is simply unavoidable when going to Iheya Island.
Though it might be because Iheya Island is still not known as a tourist location, the fact of the matter is that there are no detailed information available even if you are interested.

So on this occasion, the Author, who actually went to Iheya Island, will answer all your glaring questions!
From ferry operations info to prices and even the ferry interior, allow us introduce them all at once!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Iheya Island Ferry Overview
1-1 The Ferry Terminal
1-2 The Ferry Interior
2. How to Reserve/Buy a Ticket
3. Means of Transport After Arriving at Iheya Island
4. In Conclusion

1. Iheya Island Ferry Overview

As laid down in the introduction, the one and only way to access Iheya Island would be via 2 ferries a day at northern Okinawa’s Unten Port.

The first departure from Unten Port will leave at 11:00 AM and arrive at Iheya Island at 12:20 PM. The next liner will leave at 3:00 PM and arrive at Iheya Island in 16:20.
Conversely, the last departure from Iheya Island will leave at 1:00 PM, making a day trip all but impossible.

If you have decided to through Iheya Island, plan your itinerary with the assumption that you will spend a day here.

Below is an explanation divided into two parts; the ferry terminal itself and the terminal interior.

1-1 The Ferry Terminal

伊平屋島 フェリー

This is the Ferry Terminal of Unten Port located in northern Okinawa’s Nakijin. It will take about 90 minutes to reach it by car from within Naha City.

Though you can reach it by without any hiccups if you follow the car navigation to the letter, please remember that you will have to cross several intersections until the port.
Accessing it is also possible via the buses that leave from Naha Airport or the Yanbaru Express.

Coincidentally, the parking lot of the Unten Port is for personnel only.
Whenever you are visiting Iheya Island for tourism, you will have to use a separate and paid parking lot.

伊平屋島 フェリー

This paid parking lot is located from across the ferry and charges 500 JPY a day.
Park your car and give your car key to the reception in exchange for a Parking Card.
As this Parking Card is needed when you return for your car, please make sure not to lose it.

伊平屋島 フェリー

The Ferry terminal’s interior looks like this.

伊平屋島 フェリー

There’s even a store inside!

However, only a little bit of drinks and snacks are sold here so it might be better if you do a little shopping at convenience stores and supermarkets before going to the ferry terminal.

1-2 The Ferry Interior

伊平屋島 フェリー

The third Ferry liner that connects the Okinawa main island and the Iheya island has 3 floors. Elevators and slopes are built in the interior, making it completely barrier-free. It was commissioned in 2014, and its extremely beautiful interior was very impressive.

伊平屋島 フェリー

The 1st floor seating are like these; in a row, facing a large window.

If you go up to the 2nd floor, there is a flat space set up, with blankets and a little bit of duvets prepared.
As the floors are carpeted, you will be able to sleep comfortably.

伊平屋島 フェリー

Sea-sickness is part and parcel when boarding a ship; in such cases, this space is heartily recommended.

We are sure that there are many of those who get sick from exhaust gas from the ship. For such people, we recommend that they take care to sit in front seats away from the chimney.

伊平屋島 フェリー

And if you want to enjoy refreshing winds, then we recommend the deck!
The Author loved this deck, and enjoyed the sky and sea by taking photos until we arrived in Iheya Island.
As the island becomes near, you will be able to see sights such as Flying Fishes jumping through the water surface and Sea Turtles swimming… truly this is the full isolated island vibe!

Since the interior is extremely wide in this way, exploring it might be fun!

Speaking of which, it is possible, for a separate fee, to bring bicycles, motorcycles and even cars to the ferry bound for Iheya Island.

A light car costs about 12,920 JPY for a round-trip. This fee includes the ticket fee for a single driver.

伊平屋島 フェリー

As the state of ferry operations are updated 7AM every morning at Iheya Island’s public site, “TERUSHI NET”, please make sure to check it at the morning of when you will go.

2. How to Reserve/Buy a Ticket

伊平屋島 フェリー

Currently, ferry tickets bound for Iheya Island can only be bought at the Ferry Terminal.

The tickets here are not ones where you can designate your liner and your seat, but are rather coupon books where you can ride at any liner within several days from when you bought them.

Reservations are essentially unnecessary, and it is quite alright if you tell the ticket seller “Adult round-trip Iheya Island tickets, (insert amount here)”.

The round-trip fee for a single adult costs 4,640 JPY and has an additional Environmental Preservation Tax of 100 JPY on top of it.

Please note, however, that in case you are bringing over a car it is required that you book a reservation via phone beforehand.

3. Means of Transport After Arriving at Iheya Island

伊平屋島 フェリー

Transportation methods within Iheya Island are either by foot, rental bicycles, rental cars, rental motorcycles (mopeds) or community buses.

At the car rental directly behind Iheya Island’s ferry terminal, starting with car rentals you can rent up to bicycles.

For reference, a rental car costs 4,000 JPY a day (24 hrs.) and a rental motorcycle costs 2,500 JPY a day.
Returning them with a full tank is the norm.

One thing to note are rental places that do not have staff members present before and after when you arrive and depart.

If the staff are not present, please have them proceed to the store by putting in a call. (Their phone numbers are written on the store’s entrance, and they will arrive in about 5 to 10 minutes.)

In addition, community buses running in intervals cost a universal 100 yen at wherever bus stop you board at.
They’re reasonable, and might be best used by those who want to leisurely enjoy tourism.

4. In Conclusion

伊平屋島 フェリー

How was our guide?
The Ferry, something that must be used when going to Iheya Island. Looking up any lacking information beforehand will reassure you and make you enjoy your trip more.

Iheya Island is still undeveloped as a tourist area.
And that is the reason why its original sights are refreshingly intact.

If you have a long holiday, why not book a trip to Iheya Island?

Founded in Yomitani Village  Mainichi Shokudo  is an Okinawan Soba Restaurant Loved by the Locals

Founded in Yomitani Village  Mainichi Shokudo  is an Okinawan Soba Restaurant Loved by the Locals

Yomitani is a village filled with delicious bakeries and fancy cafes.

There has been a recent increase in Okinawan soba restaurants, and we paid a visit to the Mainichi Shokudo that has gained quite a following with the local community since opening its doors in 2017.

The yellow exterior doesn’t look like your ordinary soba eatery, and once you enter even the interior looks like a cafe.

However, when it comes to the taste of the soba it is the real deal. The delicious taste of the stock is without a doubt what pulls in the local clients.

It has a space for kids and colourful chair that create a bubbly atmosphere. I went to find out what makes the uniquely coloured Mainichi Shokudou so facinating.

Contents

1. The pull of the vibrant yellow exterior.
2.The spacious cafe style interior
3. A kids’ space in a soba restaurant? !
4.Soup that you will drink to the very last drop.
5. The perfect side menu
6. Summary

The vibrant yellow exterior.

まいにち食堂 店舗 外観

 

Mainichi Shokudo is located in Yomitani Village, Chuubu Okinawa.  It is located near Yachimun no Sato.

Make your way using a satellite navigation system and follow the signs along the way. You will come a cross the striking yellow establishment that seems as if it is a natural part of the surroundings.

Based on its appearance you would be forgiven for thinking it was an ordinary cafe.

With a name like Mainichi Shokudo you would be tricked into believing that you had come across a restaurant serving typical Japanese meals, but there is no doubt that this is an Okinawan soba place.  It far from a cafe or a typical Japanese eatery.

This is the Mainichi Shokudo oozing with uniqueness from the appearance all the way to its name.

2.The spacious cafe style interior

まいにち食堂 内観

The interior holds a range of different coloured chairs creating a poppy atmosphere. There are not many seats in comparison to the spacious interior , giving you room to relax.

If you picture the typical soba restaurant, you may imagine a very busy and noisy establishment. However, this Okinawan soba restaurant feels more like a cafe.

まいにち食堂 カウンター席

The smell of the stock soup floats from behind the counter, filling the room with a delightful aroma.

The sight of the well arranged pottery will give you that at home feeling.
Even the view of the kitchen from the counter is colourful.

3.A kids’ space in a soba restaurant? !

まいにち食堂 キッズスペース

This is the kids’ space that you didn’t believe could exist.

An Okinawan soba restaurant with a kids’ space is not something that you would expect to see.

It is only the size of one tatami mat, but kids can enter the land of colouring books and toys. Remember to tell them to remove their shoes first.

Keep your kids entertained while you wait for your food, by using this space perfect for customers with children.

We even have a baby bouncer. Child sized cutlery and child seats are of course also available.

4.Soup that you will drink to the very last drop.

まいにち食堂 軟骨ソーキそば

We ordered an Okinawan pork gristle soba. A full bowl topped with two thick slices of pork.

Tempted by the smell of the bonito stock flavour, the first thing I tried was the soup. I was surprised by how delicious it was.

It is rich in flavour yet leaves you feeling refreshed. It doesn’t have that greasy feeling, so you can easily drink it to the very last drop.

The mixture of soup and the thin flat noodles boiled together with the bittersweet Okinawan pork is perfectly balanced.

The lightness of the soup and the thick slices of pork creates a deep contrast in taste which you can’t stop eating.

I tend to usually leave some noodles and soup in the bowl, but just for today I finished everything down to the very last drop of soup.

まいにち食堂 軟骨ソーキあーさそば

Here is the Okinawan pork gristle soba [A-sa] in the Okinawana local dialect  is the word for an edible green algae.
With a slight smell of the ocean and an original taste.

Make sure to try the A-sa soba on your second visit or you can share if you come with a friend.
There is also a three meat slice and a yushi tofu soba option available.

5.The perfect side menu

まいにち食堂 じゅーしー

You can order soba as a meal by itself, however we recommend the juicy set . Where you can have other delectable dishes comparable to the soba.

There is also taco rice and Okinawan pork gristle rice bowl, so if you want to eat something else other than soba you will not be disappointed.

The Okinawan soba restaurants specialty dessert zenzai (made from sweet red beans) or the owners coffee of choice are essentials for after your meal.

6.Summary

It may not be noted in many tourist guidebooks, but there a lot of local patrons of the Mainichi Shokudo.

From the groups in their laborers outfits to the families with young children that frequent this establishment we can see that this restaurant is loved by people from all walks of life.

According to my friend that lives in the area, when it comes to Okinawan soba this place is number one and I’m sure that there are a lot regular customers who would agree.

Mix with the locals and enjoy this delicious and friendly soba in a spacious and relaxing surrounding.

 

Appealing Point of Minna Island ~Suprising Beautiful Ocean~

水納島イメージ

Minna Island is an isolated island popular for its convenient access from the Northern Okinawa main island.

Would you like to enjoy swimming in the ocean and other ocean activities in a surprisingly beautiful ocean?
 
Here, we will be introducing this beautiful isolated island, Minna Island.

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Perfect Guide for Enjoying Miyakosoba ~Miyakosoba Eating Tours in Okinawa~

宮古そば

A characteristic of Miyako soba is the toppings are placed under the noodles rather than on top.
This time, we would like to introduce you to some carefully selected and delicious Miyako soba restaurants on Miyako island and on Okinawa’s main island.

We will explain the difference between Miyako soba and Okinawa soba.
We have collected some useful information on Miyako soba.

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Day Trip Experience in Nagannu Island

ナガンヌ島の頂上

“Nagannu Island” is an island where you can visit on a small boat leaving from Naha, close enough for a day trip. It is one of the Kerama Islands and popular for its beautiful ocean.

Today we will show you about our experience at Nagannu Island! We hope people who are thinking about going there will refer to this information.

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How to fully spend the relaxing time in Aka Island

nishibama1

In March 2014, Okinawa’s ‘Kerama Islands’ were designated as a national park.

The sea around the Kerama Islands is popularly known as ‘Kerama Blue’ because of the many gradients of blue that can be seen in the sea. It is one of the most beautiful seascapes in Okinawa.

Enchanted by ‘Kerama Blue’, many tourists from around the world come to visit the area.

This time we will introduce one of the Kerama Islands called ‘Aka Island’.

Aka Island has it all – from stunning beaches to delicious food and bars with great cocktails.

Please check our model course that will make the most of your time on the island!

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