Churaumi aquarium keeping the world biggest water tank made me totally excited viewing whale shark seven meters long in front of my eyes! Spectacular views from so many species attracted me all through staying there.

We drove to northmost point of Okinawa. On the way reaching there, visiting local markets and looking around seaside gave me another fun, an experience of nearly untouched community from industrialized or westernized Japanese society.

Yes, I had half day to return back to Korea! The last night only with my friend was complete full of awamori.

Photo set

Shurijo castle? Chinese style castle in Japan!

Historical fact shows that Ryukyu Kingdom centered in this castle lasted over 500 years independent from main land regime, maybe, due to geographical separation. You can imagine it from world wide map, if available. Trade over Asian region and diplomatic practices with China played a great role in forming Ryukyu culture. Imported Thailand rice gave birth to awamori distilled from it. Ryukyu dance reflects inferiority in relation with China.

Sefa Utaki, the sacred place believed to be created by goddess of Okinawa, had a view point toward Kudaka island also sacred. There was nothing in particular for me except triangular shaped stone tunnel naturally (I am not sure) eroded. The whole area is a world heritage.

The third visit place, theme park for cultural experience, was just so so. We returned back to Nago a little earlier; We dove into awamori pool earlier, too. Another ex-JOCVs joined dinner with us.

Photo set

June 28, I swore that I would complete full verision of travel itinerary in Okinawa. Hmm... It is nearly five months since my escape from awamori swimming pool. :) At last, let me sketch something Okinawan starting this scratching.

Upon the pick up by Japanese friend, we visited the Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters located in southern part of main land. One of ruins during world war II, but well preserved, showed just tragedy that post war generation including me can and/or may not understand. After a short go-around, we moved to peace memorial museum. (For more information, refer to brochure)

It was a museum keeping typical items, such as miniatures of war fields, photos of war veterans, documentaries of war in live, and so on. However, my intention was to visit memorial stones located along the seashore, in front of it. Names of war victims including around 90 Korean were inscribed to propitiate their souls. God bless all of them!

Facing awamori at dinner was a peculiar experience in drinking life. High rate alcohol volume like whiskey made me drunken but feeling high spirit. Another delight was drinking over fresh seafood with ex-JOCVs in Okinawa!

Photo set

It passed nearly two months since my visit to Okinawa. Nothing except serveral scratchings on travel planning and accommodation there (Nago International House) was shown up this blog thereafter, though. Impressions upon my arrival in Okinawa include "peace", "calm", and "zephyr". The peace and calm can go together in terms of life style of Okinawa residents. The zephyr was what I experienced for the first time in my life; the real tropical wind flow touching me on the face all through my stay there. Visitation places were the mixture of historical, cultural, and entertainment basis with the help of ex-JOCV residing there (born in, also). Fortunately, I could escape from forest rainfall chasing me on the verge of rainy season. I will make sure that site photos with comment be ready on this blog soon.

2,500 yen per one night! This rate can go down to 1,300 yen for over eight nights. Nago city government offers accomodation at Nago International House in promotion of international friendship exchange. The House is located near coral beach as shown below.

Red colored building on the roof is main facility in which office and Japanese/western style halls are located. The building on the right side is lodging house. Reaching coral beach requires only 20 second walk! Unfortunately, it seems that information on Nago International House across the world wide web is extremely limited as shown from google search result as of May 23 :)

For more information, you can get English version of leaflet and guest guide.

I have several hours to go to Okinawa island for my refreshment. Right now, luggage packing completed. Information from Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau was great help for visit planning. A certain ex-JOCV member gave me a big hand, too. More message drops are supposed to be shown in this blog upon my return on 7th of May.

여행의 반은 준비하는데 있다고 했던가? 방금 짐을 다 꾸렸다. 아~~ 드뎌 오키나와 간다~~~ 체험기를 기대하시라~~