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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Yufuin Floral Village
A compact theme park that recreates the streetscapes of the Cotswolds region in the UK, known as a filming location for the movie “Harry Potter,” with a magical, fairytale-like atmosphere that feels like you’ve stepped into a storybook. Inside the park, beautiful plants bloom throughout the seasons, and paths lined with stone cottages continue on, with plenty of photo spots scattered throughout.
If you're visiting Yufuin in Kyushu, I highly recommend stopping by Yufuin Floral Village after exploring Lake Kinrin. The moment you enter this little village, you really feel as if you've suddenly been transported to the European countryside.
Both sides of the streets are lined with low stone and wooden buildings with moss-covered roofs, housing lots of fun gift shops and character merchandise. If you happen to visit in the fall, the walkways are decorated overhead with Halloween pumpkins and ghosts, creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere. Although the whole area isn't very large, it has lush green mountains as a backdrop, making every photo look like a scene from a picture book. It's a very relaxing and photogenic place where you can grab a snack while strolling around or find a favorite corner to take some nice photos. -
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Tokyo Station: Marunouchi Station Building
The construction of Japan’s front gate, Tokyo Station, began in March, 1908 and it was opened in December, 1914. Kingo Tatsuno, the pioneer of modern architecture in Japan, designed it. The steel-framed, brick Marunouchi Station building was burned on the roof and interior in the 1945 air raid.
Strolling through the city streets, the Marunouchi Station Building at Tokyo Station is definitely a classic landmark not to be missed for travel photography. This century-old building of red brick and white stone, topped with its iconic elegant domes, forms a striking contrast between old and new with the modern glass-curtain skyscrapers soaring behind it. In the spacious plaza in front of the station, a gentle breeze flutters the Japanese flags hanging on the building, while the bustling travelers and pedestrians add a vivid urban pulse to the scene. Picking up a camera to capture this cityscape, rich in history and modern vitality, is the purest and most authentic street record of a trip to Tokyo.
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Yokohama Landmark Tower 69th Floor Observation Deck "Sky Garden"
The Yokohama Landmark Tower, a symbol of Yokohama, is a 70-floor skyscraper standing 296m high. This complex is home to a shopping mall, restaurants, clinics, and more. Positioned on its 69th floor is the "Sky Garden," an observation deck offering 360-degree panoramic views.
If you only want to pick one place in Yokohama to hang out and clear your mind, head straight to the observation deck on the 69th floor of Landmark Tower.
A lot of people wait until after dark to buy a ticket and come up for the night view, but I honestly recommend getting here around 4 p.m. to claim a spot.
Afternoon 16:00
When I first came up, it was still very bright, and the entire Yokohama Port was in full view. The sail-shaped hotel below, the giant Ferris wheel at Cosmo World, and the bridge over the sea in the distance looked like delicate little model toys lined up along the waterfront. The view was incredibly clear and relaxing.
Evening 17:15
This was what I thought was the most worthwhile half hour of the whole trip. As the sun began to set, all the steel and glass across the city were bathed in orange-gold light. Then the sky turned a deep blue with a slight purple tint—the Blue Hour—as the streetlights and lights along the canals came on one by one. That transition was even more beautiful than after it became completely dark.
Night 18:30
Once the sky was completely dark, the view below turned into a jewelry box. The Ferris wheel started its light show, with colorful lights reflected on the water. Together with the harbor bridge and the flow of city traffic in the distance, the view really made me want to keep staring out the window. -
