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.
Naminoue Shrine | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Sugar Butter Sand Tree
Milky white chocolate is sandwiched between cookies made from a blend of whole wheat, rye and wild oats. With its adorable appearance, your clients or friends and family will be delighted to receive this box of cookies as a gift.
Sugar Butter Sand Tree is absolutely one of my go-to brands that I restock on every time I go to Japan!
The outside is a grain cookie made with whole wheat, rye, and oats. It’s light and crispy when you bite into it, with this lovely toasted aroma. In the middle, there’s a rich white chocolate cream that’s flavorful but not heavy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
The dangerous part is that I only planned to eat one, and before I knew it, the box was almost empty. Whether you’re eating them yourself, giving them to friends, or enjoying them at home with coffee or tea, they’re perfect. -
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Alfort Mini Chocolates
This bite-sized treat combines rich milk chocolate shaped like a sailboat with aromatic whole-grain biscuit cookies. Not just milk chocolate, but also a rich lineup including white chocolate, dark chocolate, and more. These are an affordable but delicious and luxurious treat, sure to be a success even at parties!
Every time I go grocery shopping in Japan, it’s seriously hard to leave the cookie aisle empty-handed. These ALFORT sailboat chocolate biscuits are a classic snack that a lot of Japanese people love!
With one bite, you get a crispy whole-grain biscuit on the bottom, topped with rich milk chocolate. The sweet chocolate pairs so nicely with the grainy aroma of the biscuit, and the more you eat, the easier it is to keep going.
I especially love the small, bite-sized design. It’s perfect with a cup of coffee or hot tea when you’re craving something in the afternoon. The little sailboat on the package is cute too. Great for enjoying yourself or bringing home as a souvenir from Japan. -
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Black Thunder
This chocolate snack is very popular for its affordable price of 40 yen and deliciousness. Cocoa cookie and plain biscuit are coated with chocolate. You can taste the light bitterness of a cocoa cookie matched with the sweetness of chocolate. Crunchy texture and the volume which can fill your stomach lightly pleases you.
Japan’s super popular Black Thunder chocolate!
The name sounds intense, and eating it feels like getting struck by lightning from all the sweetness.
Every time I go to Japan, someone in my family always asks, “Can you bring back some Black Thunder?”
Personally, I think the sweetness is off the charts, and after one bar I want a cup of unsweetened tea. But my family just keeps eating one after another and can’t stop!
Crispy biscuits mixed with rich chocolate, tasty and budget-friendly. No wonder it’s been popular in Japan for so many years. You can often spot it in supermarkets and convenience stores.
For me, it’s a “sweetness overload alert.”
For my family, it’s “the No. 1 must-buy item in Japan” 😂 -
