If you have plenty of time in Okinawa, I really recommend walking straight from Kokusai Street to Naminoue Shrine.
It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and as soon as you turn into the side streets, it gets so much quieter. The streets are lined with ordinary little Japanese houses, with lots of potted plants by the doors, and every now and then you’ll see a few small shisa ornaments sunning themselves on the rooftops. Get a drink you like from a vending machine and slowly wander around while sipping it, listening to the bird sounds from the traffic lights at the intersections. It really gives you the illusion that you’re temporarily living nearby.
Once you reach Naminoue Shrine, say a prayer and buy a little schoolbag-shaped omamori. Then follow the path down beside it to Naminoue Beach, take off your shoes, and step into the water. It feels so good, and the breeze in September is just right.
Compared with constantly taking transportation and rushing from one attraction to another, aimlessly walking through the local side streets is actually the most relaxing.
Naminoue Shrine | Review by Eddie
Other Reviews by Eddie
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Angel Road
Located in the southwest part of Shodoshima, "Angel Road" is a sandy path that appears twice a day at low tide, connecting four islands. It's a popular spot bustling with tourists, thanks to rumors that any two people walking hand-in-hand along the path will be blessed with happiness in the future. It's also frequently used as a filming location for movies and dramas.
When I came to Shodoshima, I didn’t plan to visit many specific attractions. Instead, when I saw this view by the sea, I couldn’t help but stop and take a photo.
The water was very calm, and there wasn’t much in the distance, just a large rock sitting quietly in the sea. It didn’t look like anything special, but after standing there and looking at it for a while, I felt that this was what Shodoshima meant to me.
There was none of the bustle of a big city or the pressure of constantly rushing from place to place. Just walking along the shore and taking in the scenery was actually very relaxing.
Sometimes, the photos that stay with you from a trip aren’t necessarily of the most famous attractions, but scenes like this that make you think, “Oh, this looks really nice,” and take a picture. When you see them again after some time has passed, they still bring back memories of that trip.
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Achi Shrine
Worshiping the “Three Goddesses of Munakata”, the god of the sea and transportation / trading safety, this shrine sits atop the summit Mt. Tsurugata Yama, which is a part of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (Kurashiki Beautiful Sight Quarter). The name “Achi”, is derived from the Achino-omi tribe who migrated from afar and lived in this space. The name of the shrine comes from the tribe as well.
When I visited Kurashiki, I stopped by Achi Shrine after walking around the Bikan Historical Quarter. I originally thought it would be a quick visit, but first I had to climb a stretch of stairs, and the walk up was actually pretty tiring, haha.
But once I reached the top, it felt completely different from below. It suddenly became much quieter, and the area was surrounded by trees and traditional shrine buildings. As I walked around, I could also see the streets of Kurashiki from above, which was a different view from what I'd just seen in the old town.
I don't think Achi Shrine is especially grand, but it's a nice place to visit while you're in the area. If you're visiting the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, you can spend a little extra time walking up here to enjoy the breeze and take some photos, then slowly make your way back down. Overall, it felt quite relaxing.
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Kouri Ohashi Bridge
The Kouri Bridge, inaugurated in 2005, is a remote island bridge spanning 1,960 meters, connecting Yagaji Island in Nago City and Kouri Island. As the second-longest bridge in Okinawa that can be crossed for free, it is renowned for the breathtaking view of the emerald-green sea stretching on both sides. This makes it not only a popular drive route but also a highly sought-after scenic spot.
I originally thought Okinawa would be cooler in October, but I didn't expect it to still be this hot. It was honestly a little surprising, haha!
When I arrived at Kouri Island, the first thing I noticed was how blue the water was and how clean the beach was. Just standing by the ocean and enjoying the scenery put me in a good mood. Unfortunately, I was on a day tour this time, so we could only stay for about 30 minutes. It was really too short. I only had time to walk on the beach and take some photos, and before I could fully enjoy it, it was already time to leave.
Kouri Island actually feels like the kind of place that's best explored at a leisurely pace. If I could arrange my own schedule, I could probably spend more time by the ocean and enjoy Okinawa's island atmosphere. If I get another chance, I might have to drive here myself so I won't have to keep rushing and can really appreciate the beauty of this place. This visit was just a quick preview—I'll find another opportunity to come back and explore it properly!
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