Along Okinawa's Kokusai Dori
What a wonderful opportunity it was to travel to Okinawa last week. I had long wanted to visit. I've heard about it being a vacation destination among Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asians. True to what I heard from fellow travelers who had previously visited the island, it sure had a Hawaii feel to it, the island being closer to Manila than to Tokyo and quite tropical in climate. We flew with All Nippon Airways or ANA and our flight from Haneda's domestic terminal lasted two hours and 30 minutes. Given that we were there for all of two full days, we knew from the beginning we had to act fast if we wanted to see as many sights as possible. Fortunately, the sights in the city were not that far from each other and many could be accessed by monorail although with a bit of walking.
On our first day in Naha, we first passed by the Don Quijote Discount store a block away from our hotel. We had visited the ones in Tokyo and it was so nice to visit a branch which wasn't bursting at the seams with tourists. Here in Naha, we could browse leisurely. It wasn't crowded.
In Okinawa at last!
This was the famous Don Quijote Discount Store near our hotel. We went shortly before it opened around 8 am if I am not mistaken and we were some of the very first customers that morning.
This was the flight of stairs that led to the second floor.
After around an hour here perusing among others the local souvenirs which consisted mostly of food products like boxes of sweet red potato tarts and mochis, we proceed to the city's main shopping street, the Kokusai Dori. Would you believe? There was another Don Quijote in the city center. It was much bigger than the one we had just visited minutes earlier. We still went inside to look. This time, we found more souvenirs and they weren't food boxes any longer. There were lots of statues, very colorful ones called Shisas. I later learned that the tiny figurines normally came in pairs. One had an open mouth and the other one closed. Both were often placed in front of homes and business establishments to ward off evil spirits and to bring good luck.
This little Shisa was for sale inside Don Quijote along Kokusai.
This was the Shisa in front of the Don Quijote discount store along Kokusai Dori.
Okinawa is famous for its spam. It was no surprise to see Spam tote bags, t-shirts, and posters everywhere.
Cute Japanese magnets
I liked this Sumo wrestler! So cute!
Orion beer we found out was another popular brand in Okinawa. We literally saw lots of tourists wearing Orion t shirts having their pictures taken in front of Shisas in Kokusai Dori.
Inside a souvenir store
We found this fake pig's head right outside a tourist's office inside the Makishi Public Market.
I asked permission before taking a picture of these Shisas in one souvenir store. The female staff quickly said yes and pointed me towards another section of her store that had more of these cute figurines.
We wanted to try the roll with spam, egg and rice but the line of customers was quiet long.
These colorful banners advertised one bar and restaurant inside the Makishi Public Market.
I like the way many shops along Kokusai Dori were painted and decorated. They were very colorful and with interesting decorations.
I loved the mural above the main entrance to this restaurant.
After this trip, I shall forever remember Okinawa for its sweet red potato tarts and its Shisas. Honestly, we saw Shiisas on rooftops, on walls, on top of stairways, and by entrances of homes and shops.
One of the many souvenir stores along Kokusai Dori.
Another beautiful store front
A block along Kokusai Dori
Colorful indeed!