Kabira Bay (Photo by Adriana B. Anderson/Stripes Guam)
What do you picture when you hear the word Okinawa? Maybe you picture scenic sandy beaches and palm trees on the main island. That’s exactly what I used to think before I started exploring Okinawa with my family. I was born in Okinawa almost 12 years ago, but I don’t remember much from that time because I was so little when we left. When my family moved back to Okinawa in 2023 and we started exploring, I realized that most of Okinawa’s most memorable adventures are not even on the main island. They start with a breathtaking drive across a bridge or a short flight to other islands. Let’s dive in!
If you’re looking for a quick road trip, Kouri Island would be the right place for you. On one of my visits, I looked out the car window and was greeted by crystal-clear, deep-blue water that bordered both the bridge and Kouri Island. When I reached the island, I realized this place was truly a miniature paradise.
My family discovered a café, Brulee and Coffee Paretthi, which was set in a modern wooden house with turquoise Shisa dogs overlooking the sparkling water. It was the perfect place to slow down, listen to the birds and enjoy the view. It had a variety of drinks, sandwiches and desserts.
A seashell museum is located near highest part of the island. To get there, we got our tickets and boarded a self-driving vehicle, which maneuvered up a hill full of tropical flowers and to the museum, which housed more than 10,000 varieties of seashells. All of them had unique textures, like smooth or spiky, and came in all sorts of sizes, shapes and colors. Kouri Island was a great place for my family to take a car ride, even on a busy weekend, and it could be yours, too!
Kouri Island self driving vehicle. (Photo by Adriana B. Anderson/Stripes Guam)
(Photo by Adriana B. Anderson/Stripes Guam)
If you’re looking for a place to have a real mini tropical vacation, take a quick airplane ride to the Yaeyama Islands (Ishigaki, Taketomi, Iriomote, and Yubu). When my family went there, we took a quick flight from Naha Airport to Ishigaki Island.
As the plane was descending, I was greeted with shimmering waters in shades of “Tiffany Blue” that I couldn’t take my eyes off, except for quickly closing my eyes and taking a mental picture to remember the view forever.
There were plenty of excellent hotels, but my family went to Club Med. This resort was all-inclusive, which made the trip extra relaxing. Every day there was something new to try. My favorite part wasn’t just the food or the beach — it was meeting kids from all over the world who were exploring these beautiful Yaeyama Islands just like I was.
Club Med Ishibaki Kabira Bay (Photo by Adriana B. Anderson/Stripes Guam)
Kabira Bay (Photo by Adriana B. Anderson/Stripes Guam)
My family and I loved snorkeling in the bay near the hotel. When I jumped into the water, cool waves gently splashed against my face. It was one of the most refreshing and satisfying feelings I’ve ever experienced. The water was clear as glass, and I could see about 50 feet below the surface, with beautiful underwater views. The coral-covered rock formations rose up from great depths, looking like underwater cliffs. Colorful blue and yellow fish were darting here and there through the coral reefs. I even swam with a sea turtle. It was like being in the underwater world in Star Wars, only much more beautiful.
Afterward, we took ferries from the Ishigaki Port to the neighboring islands. First, Iriomote Island, a Japanese national park and home to an animal that lives nowhere else except here, the Iriomote cat, a critically endangered subspecies of the leopard cat. The best way to explore the island is with a tour guide who will explain the history of the island and show you around on land and by boat. The boat tour was very relaxing because I could see mangrove trees as the rushing water passed the boat. Towards the end of our journey, we did spot the tail of an Iriomote cat hiding in the bushes!
Yubu Island was accessible from Iriomote Island by a water buffalo-powered cart ride! When we went there, we hopped onto the cart and looked out. A sparkling sand path, palm trees, turquoise waters and a guide playing a shamisen welcomed us warmly. The gentle sound of this traditional Okinawan musical instrument mixed with the slow splash of the water buffalo’s footsteps made the ride feel peaceful and unforgettable. This island is pretty small, but it is covered with palm trees and walkways. It has a beach, making it the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. My family and I also loved walking around the island, taking pictures of resting water buffaloes, and observing the island’s delicate nature.
Guide with shamisen and bull. (Photo by Adriana B. Anderson/Stripes Guam)
Guide with shamisen and bull. (Photo by Adriana B. Anderson/Stripes Guam)
Taketomi Island is close to Ishigaki Island and is much larger than Yubu Island. It is only accessible by ferry, which gives the island a peaceful, quiet feeling. The island had many traditional Ryukyu-Era houses, with traditional red roof tiles and wooden frames. It was amazing that these homes had been preserved for so long and were in good condition. The island has a beach famous for its star-shaped sand, which was really cool because you could pick up one grain of sand and find a beautiful look-alike of a starfish, full of tiny details and smooth/spiky textures. I couldn’t believe something so tiny could look so much like a perfect little star.
Before my family started traveling in the Pacific, I thought that Okinawa was just the main island. Although I still enjoy it, I realize that I discovered a hidden paradise on its neighboring islands. Even today I picture Tiffany-blue waters from the car and airplane windows, hear the calming shamisen during the water buffalo ride, spot the tail of an elusive Iriomote cat, and remember holding a tiny grain of star-shaped sand in my hand. These memories always remind me that some of my greatest Okinawa adventures started beyond the main island. Maybe they can turn into your favorite memories, too.
I love Okinawa!
Okinawa ga daisuki desu/Okinawa daisuki!
There are so many islands to explore!
Hijō ni ōku no shima o bōken deki masu.”
Let’s take a ferry.
Ferii ni norima shou.
Kouri jima made doraibu shimashou.
Let’s drive to Kouri Island.
Water buffaloes are big!
Suigyuu wa ookii desu.
About the Author
Adriana B. Anderson, a rising 6th-grader at the Okinawa Christian International School. She’s traveled to 29 countries on 4 continents. Born in Japan, she has lived in Japan (twice), USA, and Germany. She is a proud “military brat,” a daughter of USMC MGySgt Andy B. Anderson (III MEF, G-3 Operations Chief).
