A Blue Zone that left a mark
I treated myself to a late birthday trip to Okinawa. I had a friend living on mainland Japan who was spending time there as a dive instructor, so it felt like the perfect time to go visit. She was working a lot, so we had some really good quality present time together, while I also did my solo adventures and made some new friends along the way.
From Maui I flew to Oahu and stayed overnight, then flew to Tokyo… and that’s when it all hit me. There was so much happening even in the airport, an immediate culture shock to my system. From Tokyo, I finally took my last leg to Okinawa.
I arrived late at Naha Airport, but the first thing I remember was how slow and beautiful it felt, filled with life, plants, fish, and orchids everywhere. When I stepped out, it was warm and humid, I mean the most humid, sticky air I’ve felt in quite a long time. My girl was there to pick me up in a cute compact Honda van, driving on the left side… whaaaat!
I went straight to bed after we grabbed some snacks at the local 7- Eleven (totally different than American ones)
I woke up the next morning immediately wanting to immerse myself in everything around me.
I spent the next days walking constantly, just taking it all in. Yomitan (where I stayed) became my little rhythm. Shisa (traditional Ryukyuan lion dog figures) were everywhere, guarding rooftops, gates, and doorways, one with its mouth open to ward off evil spirits and the other closed to keep good luck in.
Watching life unfold here felt different. The elders moved slowly and intentionally, gardening, existing, something in me softened. I could feel why this place is considered a Blue Zone, life here just feels… less rushed.
I explored turquoise-toned waters, lush green landscapes that felt almost otherworldly, waterfalls, caves, and castles.
Bios on the Hill was a whole experience, water buffalo, lily ponds, exotic plants, orchids, and traditional dances all in one nature park, 10/10 recommend.
Went shelling and found the most perfect shells I could find.
I visited Shirumichu (シルミチュー), a sacred fertility cave and power spot on Hamahiga Island. Quiet, grounding, and ancient in a way that’s hard to explain.
I tried my first claw machine experience at DON QUIJOTE (IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW) and immediately wanted every cute trinket in sight. Dangerous for the wallet, but a perfect place for gifts.
Bri and I also did our first shibori-style dyeing with natural indigo. I couldn’t understand a single thing the woman was saying, but thank God Bri helped with translating… and I LOVE MY BAG I DYED.
One of my favorite memories was going on a simple quest for a tea ritual, which somehow turned into an amusement park detour, a stalagmite cave, and eventually, after a full day of wandering, we finally found the tea. Japan has a way of turning simple intentions into full-blown adventures.
We ended the trip diving into a blue cave. Bri took me out in not-so-perfect conditions, but she moves like a real-life mermaid so I trusted her completely in the water.
Then I experienced my first izakaya, a staple of Japan’s after-work culture, where you order many small dishes over time instead of one big meal. We had sake, beer, and even tried habu sake, a traditional spirit infused with snake… it was an experience.
And of course, kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) was a highlight, honestly some of the best sushi with so many options.
There was so much more, but these were the core memories I wanted to share.
For about 10 days, I got to step into a different pace of living, and it’s something I’ll carry with me long after returning home.
Arigatou gozaimasu, Okinawa.
