East Side Flavor

Although Okinawa is a relatively small place, each part of it has its own flavor.  The north has a lot of mountains.  The west has most of the popular dive locations.  The south (to me) is more historic, as this is where the majority of the battle during WWII was fought.  The central area where we live has all of the best shopping and restaurants.  And the east has a beautifully scenic drive down the coast as well as a few islands connected by bridges, all of which is relatively uninhabited compared to the rest of the island.   

We don't get out to the east side as much as we'd like, but the other weekend, Matt and I decided to get on our hiking shoes (even though my feet were still having traumatic flashbacks after climbing Fuji) and we drove out to the east side to explore parts of it we'd never been before.   

Here are some of the highlights of our day: 

 

Middle of a sugar cane field overlooking the Pacific

An old sugar factory that was destroyed during or shortly after WWII. Only the oven and smoke stack remains.

One thing you will usually always see on the east side of the island - some entertaining kite surfing!

Found a couple of fresh water springs

A video clip of Yanga (Yan Spring):

One of many giant Banana Spiders

Overlook on Miyagi Island

From here, you could see the whole island of Ikei

Matt wearing his Japanese sweat rag

Okinawan clay tile roof

Beach on Hamahiga Island

Torii gate stairs that end up at a cave shrine

A different kind of star fruit!

Until next time!
-C

American Tourists in Tokyo

After spending our first two days in Tokyo preparing for and climbing Mt. Fuji, the six of us took our last full day to explore the city.  Matt and I had just been up to Tokyo a few months ago, but it was great seeing it during the summer.  We also got to do a few things that we hadn't done on our last visit, including a visit to Tokyo's brand new Sky Tree that just opened.  It is the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest structure in the world!  

Here are a few of the highlights from around Tokyo:

Some Tokyo architecture

Could not figure out what this sign was trying to say... we were right beside a riverwalk...?  

The girls in front of the Tokyo Sky Tree

Matt and I in the Sky Tree observatory... after an hour and a half of waiting in line!

Tokyo

Looking straight down

Change of Guard Ceremony at the Tokyo Imperial Palace

Another area of Tokyo we didn't get to see last time - Akihabara Electronics District. An area full of video games, electronics and anime.

Shibuya Intersection 

The girls making our way to the Forever21 in Shibuya

It was dark by the time we finished shopping - the Forever21 is 6 floors!

Roppongi - you can see the old Tokyo Tower down the street

We ate our last Tokyo dinner in Roppongi and had our favorite - fondue!

Thanks for following our adventures!

-C