王小鈞's Reviews Page 9/25

Calbee Jaga Pokkuru Okhotsk Sea Salt taste

Calbee Jaga Pokkuru is a popular snack produced by Calbee, one of Japan’s leading snack manufacturers. Manufactured at their Chitose factory in Hokkaido and primarily sold locally, it's become a beloved souvenir from Hokkaido. The name "Jaga Pokkuru" combines "jagaimo" (potato) with "Korpokkur," legendary fairy-like beings from Ainu folklore.

• Hokkaido
• Snacks

A must-buy souvenir from Japan. Jaga Pokkuru really lives up to its reputation! Made with 100% Hokkaido potatoes and cut with the skin on, you can taste the natural sweetness of the potatoes. They’re crispy on the outside, fragrant inside, and seriously addictive. With sea salt from the Sea of Okhotsk, the salty-savory balance is just right. Every bite makes it hard to stop. I’ve been eating this snack for years and still love it. Adults and kids all enjoy it, and every time I go to Japan, I always bring several boxes home. Highly recommended for gifts or for yourself!

Shuri soba noodle

Located in a residential area a short walk from Shurijo Castle, this famous restaurant is popular among locals for its Okinawan soba noodles, with a long line of customers waiting in line before the restaurant opens.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Ramen

If you're walking around near Shuri Castle, I highly recommend stopping by for Okinawa soba here!

The handmade noodles are springy and satisfyingly chewy, paired with a light broth made from pork bones and bonito flakes. Every bite is rich and aromatic without feeling heavy. The melt-in-your-mouth pork belly on top makes it simple but totally addictive.

No wonder this popular spot is loved by both locals and tourists. Definitely add it to your Okinawa food list!

Steakhouse 88 Tsuji Main Store

Established across Okinawa, this is the main store of the Steakhouse 88 chain, popular for its variety of menus, and reasonable prices. The origin of this restaurant is "CLUB88," which was opened in 1955 during the period of U.S. military rule, and was granted an "A sign" business license after passing strict U.S. standards as a restaurant open to U.S. military personnel and other visitors.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Meat Dishes

Steakhouse 88 Tsuji Main Store is a well-known, long-established steakhouse in Okinawa. They have a huge selection, from all kinds of steaks to Okinawan specialties, so both adults and kids can find something they like.

The steak is tender, the portions are generous, and the prices are really reasonable. Great value! If you’re visiting Okinawa, this is a great place to enjoy an affordable and satisfying steak meal.

Yanbaru Dining Matsu no Kominka

A five-minute walk from Nago City Hall, this dining room is open only at night. In a good old 70-year-old Okinawan house, you can enjoy shabu-shabu with a rare species of island black Aguu. Shabu-shabu is generally made with beef, but this restaurant offers a rare breed of Okinawan pig, the "Shimakuru", a purebred crossbreed of Aguu and Aguu.

• Yanbaru, Nago, Motobu
• Japanese Cuisine

This place is really worth visiting! The old Okinawan house has so much character, and eating while sitting on tatami mats gives it a really special Japan travel vibe.

Their signature Okinawan black pork shabu-shabu is tender and flavorful. The shoulder, pork belly, and thigh each have their own texture, and everything is served with fresh vegetables and Okinawan side dishes. The quality is great across the board. The ingredients are fresh, the portions are just right, and the meal is very satisfying.

If you want to experience authentic local food in Okinawa, I definitely recommend adding this place to your itinerary. The atmosphere is comfortable, the food is delicious, and it’s the kind of restaurant I’d want to come back to.

Umikaji Terrace

Senaga Island with a 1.8km circumference is connected to Naha Airport with a marine road. This is where a multi resort facility stands. White buildings line the slope facing the emerald green ocean. It looks like a little town. The beauty was designed after the European resorts such as the Amalfi Coast in Italy and Santorini Island on the Aegean Sea.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Tourist Attractions

Umikaji Terrace on Senaga Island is the kind of place you fall in love with the moment you arrive!
The pure white buildings are scattered along the hillside, paired with a stunning blue ocean view. Every photo looks like you’re in a European resort town. Feeling the sea breeze, taking a slow walk, browsing the unique little shops, then sitting down at a café to just zone out—every corner feels so soothing.
I absolutely loved it here. It was one of the most unforgettable spots from my Okinawa trip, and I definitely want to come back next time!

Okinawa World

This theme park condenses the charms of Okinawa and is very popular among tourists from both inside and outside Japan. The largest limestone cave in Okinawa, Gyokusendo Cave, was created over 300,000 years ago, and it's more than one million stalactites reaffirm the mystery and grandeur of nature.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

This place is perfect for spending a relaxed half day exploring! Gyokusendo Cave was even more impressive than I expected. Walking inside felt like entering another world, and the stalactites looked so beautiful under the lights that I couldn’t stop taking photos.

After that, strolling through the Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town area gave a great feel for Okinawa’s historic atmosphere. The whole park has a lot to see and is super photogenic. Definitely worth a visit.

Shurijo Castle Park

Shurijo is a proud Okinawan icon whose brightly-painted vermillion walls also make it the only red castle in Japan. The castle served as the esteemed seat of politics, trade and culture for the Ryukyu Kingdom that existed during the 450 years between 1429 and 1879.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Tourist Attractions

The first time I saw Shurijo Castle, I honestly couldn’t stop taking photos! The whole castle is such a vivid red and has so much character. It feels completely different from other castles in Japan, and it looks great from just about any angle.

Walking along the castle walls and around the grounds, you can enjoy views of Naha while feeling the historic atmosphere left behind by the Ryukyu Kingdom. Even though Shurijo Castle is still under restoration, it’s still well worth seeing in person.

Naminoue Umisora Park Naminoue Beach

It is the only beach in Naha City that stretches near Naminoue Shrine, the first of the eight Ryukyu shrines and the most prestigious shrine in Okinawa.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Parks & Gardens

It’s really special to have the ocean right next to the shrine!

After visiting Naminoue Shrine, you can walk just a few steps to reach the only beach in Naha City. The water is clear, the sand is clean, and being able to enjoy Okinawa’s ocean views right in the city feels so relaxing.

Sitting on the beach with the sea breeze, zoning out while looking at the deep blue ocean, was one of the most relaxing moments of the trip. If you come to Okinawa, you should definitely add this place to your itinerary. It’s gorgeous for photos, and every shot looks like a postcard.

Naminoue Shrine

As the name implies, this ancient shrine stands on a quay overhanging the blue sea, and is affectionately known as "Nanmin-san" by the local people.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Shrines & Temples

If you’re visiting Naha, Okinawa, don’t miss Naminoue Shrine, surrounded by the bright blue sea. Set on a seaside cliff, the shrine looks from a distance as if it’s floating above the waves, which is how it got its name. Locals affectionately call it “Nanmin-san,” and since ancient times it has been a sacred place to pray for safety, abundant harvests, and smooth voyages.

The vivid vermilion worship hall, paired with Okinawa’s unique tropical atmosphere, looks especially beautiful in the sunlight. The moment you step inside, you can feel a setting that is both solemn and full of island charm. There are also stories of prayers offered to the gods of “NIRAI-KANAI,” the ideal paradise beyond the sea, giving the shrine a mysterious appeal rooted in Ryukyu culture.

Sefa Utaki

This is the highest sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, located in the mountains of Chinen Kudeken, Nanjo City, in the southern part of Okinawa's main island. As a forest where the gods descend, important rituals and ceremonies were held, including the inauguration ceremony of the kingdom's supreme divinity, Kikoe Ogimi, called "Oaraori”.

• Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
• Tourist Attractions

This was once a sacred site where the Ryukyu Kingdom held important rituals, and it was also an important place for the inauguration ceremony of the highest priestess, the Kikoe Ogimi. In 2000, it was added to the World Heritage Site “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu,” standing as a testament to Ryukyu’s unique spiritual culture.
What left the biggest impression was the huge Ryukyu limestone formation called Sangui deep in the forest. The naturally formed rock space feels full of mysterious energy. Standing there with the gentle breeze passing through, I found myself feeling calm without even realizing it.