Okinawa evokes a tropical vibe that is unlike the rest of Japan. Here, surrounded by placidly blue skies and seas, you will find your worries melting away. It helps that Okinawan people are known to be carefree and easygoing. Step inside a store and have your vacation time eroded away by a surprisingly looooooong chat. But it’s okay. You are now in Okinawa. You are on island time.

Magnificent views from our hotel! We chose to stay close to the Churaumi Aquarium, so this hotel fit the bill.

Yes, that humongous whale shark (aka jinbei zame) took our breath away.

Okinawan soba is not to be missed.

Some wacky & unique ice cream flavours to indulge in.

To fully immerse yourself in the cool island vibes, you must walk along Kokusai Dori (International Street). Just take care of your wallet - Japan has this annoying habit of making you want to splurge. Abunai! (dangerous in Japanese)