Okinawa.... tropical paradise

Cheesy, yes, but also true. Just amazingly beautiful - apparently, Okinawa looks a lot like Hawaii. There are still many elements of Japanese culture - unfailing politeness on the part of everyone we've met, for example, but there is also quite a bit of a laid-back, tropical island feel. People are dressed more casually, many clothing and food items are of Vietnamese and Thai origin, and the frenetic pace I felt in Tokyo is definitely absent. Even the language sounds slower and more lilting, less sharp than what we heard in mainland Japan.

The view from the hotel is amazing, and the temperature is pretty much ideal. All we did today was check out from Tokyo, fly to Okinawa, and check into our hotel. We watched the sun set on the beach (my videos aren't loading for some reason) and then had dinner at a Thai place in the area surrounding the hotel, which is called American Village. Unfortunately, this is our only night in this area... tomorrow, we move to Okinawa City, a smaller town on this island that is farther inland.


View from my hotel window on the 18th floor

After sunset, on the beach

break-dancing kids



more beach views