A smart app is your travel companion. Our editorial team goes to Okinawa for 2 nights and 3 days [Day 1]

<First day>
Walking around Sefa Utaki, the most sacred place in the Ryukyu Kingdom

It's about a 50-minute drive from Naha Airport. We head to Sefa Utaki, which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2000. Once you enter Nanjo City via the Okinawa Expressway, the ocean is right in front of you! The typical Okinawan scenery will get your travel spirit going.

Utaki is a general term for sacred sites that are widely distributed throughout the Ryukyu Islands, including the main island of Okinawa, and Sefa Utaki is said to be the highest peak of these. It also appears in the Ryukyu Creation Legend, which tells of the creator god Amamikiyo descending from Niraikanai (the world of the gods) and beginning to create the nation, and during the kingdom era, prayers were offered here for national prosperity, bountiful harvests, and safe voyages.

Sefa Utaki has six Ibi (sacred areas) or Uganju (places of worship) scattered within the premises.

Soon after entering, we arrived at the Kudakajima Worship Site, where we were greeted by the divine scenery of Kudakajima, the "island of the gods" floating in the blue sea.

The deep blue and green colors give a sense of the power of life.

Beautiful scenery! No wonder it's called the Island of the Gods.

Immediately to the left of this place of worship is Ujoguchi, the entrance to Mt. Ontake.

From here onwards is the entrance to a sacred area where even men, the Ryukyu kings, were not allowed to enter. As you step into the lush forest, you will feel enveloped in the special sensation that only a Utaki can offer.

After walking for about five minutes inside the Utaki, we arrived at Ufugui. This is the place where the inauguration ceremony for Kikoe Ookimi, the highest-ranking priestess in the Ryukyu Kingdom, took place.

The two explore Ibi, surrounded by the silence of the forest. They experience the special power of the abundant nature and feel their souls being cleansed.

After about 15 minutes, we arrived at the fifth place of worship, Sangui.

Originally, the small space that can be reached by walking through between these triangular rocks is the place of worship, but access is currently restricted in order to preserve the sanctuary, and it is only permitted to view it from the outside.

While still basking in the afterglow of Mt. Ontake, the two of them wanted to enjoy the abundant nature of Nanjo City a little more, so they decided to change their plans to "return to Naha for lunch" at the last minute. When they opened the map on the app, they found "Yama no Chaya Rakusui," which they had bookmarked beforehand. It was the perfect place for their current mood!

[Point 1. AI Recommendations]

AI learns your preferences from your favorite spots and search history, and recommends your favorite spots in the area. In addition, one-stop directions to recommended spots are provided, so you can get around smoothly even in unfamiliar travel destinations!

It's convenient to be able to easily find nearby spots depending on the situation.

When you're traveling, you don't know the area, so it's hard to judge whether a place is close enough to go.

This allowed us to easily accommodate sudden changes in plans.

Lunch at Yama no Chaya Rakusui, surrounded by the forest, sea and nature of Nanjo

After walking along the seaside road for a while and passing through tranquil scenery, we arrived at "Yama no Chaya Rakusui" in about 15 minutes. As the name "Yama no Chaya" ("teahouse in the mountain") suggests, this cafe boasts a spectacular view built on top of a mountain. The two of them laughed and said, "You can't see the building from below! It's so exciting," as they climbed the approximately 100 steps surrounded by subtropical plants.

Stepping inside the restaurant, you'll be greeted by a dynamic rock formation. The owner decided to build this restaurant based on Ryukyu limestone, and the stairs we just walked up are also made of Ryukyu limestone. We pass through the restaurant, which makes use of the organic rock shapes, and head to the terrace seats.

"Look! You can see the ocean through the trees!"

Both of them immediately look moved.

It was the right choice after all! A lunch with a spectacular view. Looking down at the ocean from the shade of the trees was so elegant.

Once again, luxurious forest bathing. A perfect location for lost in thought.

Almost all of the dishes, which use plenty of local ingredients, are vegan-friendly. We were also curious about the stone oven pizza, which uses homemade wheat, and here is the menu that the couple chose.

From the front right, the popular hot soba "Sachibaru Soba (on the left is a side dish of Jimami tofu and vinegared mozuku seaweed)" (1,575 yen) is made with an original soba made from a blend of homemade wheat grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and is topped with locally grown sea grapes, vegetables, and gluten-free meat. In the back is "Imokuji Andagi" (880 yen), a homemade andagi (fried dish) made with purple yam kudzu.

"Basil Cold Noodles" (1,575 yen, seasonal limited edition) is a cold noodle dish that has basil kneaded into the noodles and is topped with plenty of locally grown sea grapes and vegetables, giving it a salad-like feel. Not only is it beautiful in color, but you can also enjoy the different textures of each ingredient.

Mountain Tea House Rakusui

The two of them filled their stomachs with a lunch full of local ingredients. At this restaurant, they used Nanjo e-machi Gift, a service that allows you to make hometown tax donations while traveling.

Once you apply, a QR code will be issued, so you can use it whenever you want while you're traveling. The "Tax on Travel®" system also contributes to revitalizing the local community. Please check it out.

Improve yourself with Okinawan cosmetics brand "SuiSavon - Shuri Soap -"

After returning to Naha city, the two arrived at SuiSavon, which has its main store in Tonokura, one of the castle towns surrounding Shuri Castle.

Inside the store, you'll find a wide selection of items that would make great souvenirs, including botanical soaps and skin care products made from plants and fruits native to Okinawa!

The colorful "Botanical Handmade Facial Soap" is an iconic item that symbolizes the brand. All soaps are made without synthetic coloring and are a blend of Okinawa's natural ingredients and the scent of natural essential oils. They are molded using a cold press method that does not apply heat, and is cooled and hardened over time using a "frame kneading" process.

The fluffy foam that caught my eye from the moment I entered the store was the "Ryukyu White Marine Clay Facial Soap," made from Okinawa's seabed mud (kucha), which is rich in marine minerals that can only be found in Okinawa.

Kucha is richer in minerals than regular clay, and is said to improve blood circulation and metabolism, and relieve muscle stiffness. It also has a variety of distinctive Okinawan scents.

Your skin feels moisturized after washing! There are so many different scents to choose from, it's fun to choose one.

I love the plumeria and lily scent. And the foam doesn't go flat, it's amazing!

Next I picked up Essence Hand Cream, a moisturizing hand cream that is overflowing with beauty serum.

When you place it on the back of your hand and swirl it around with your fingers, the serum will ooze out.

"When you can take care of yourself, it just makes you feel better." "Yes, I think facing yourself also helps you reexamine your life."

After having a great time, the two of them went shopping for items that caught their eye.

Now that they have been thoroughly soothed by the aroma, they check the app again. In the travel bookmark for the couple, they see the words "Vita Smoothies."

"Next, I'll inject the power of Okinawan vegetables and fruits from within. I may be biased, but it's a great plan (laughs)," I say, congratulating myself, as I head towards Okiei Street, heading for a smoothie specialty store.

SuiSavon - Shuri Soap - Tokura Gallery Shop Main Store

Get an infusion of Okinawan fruit power with "Vita Smoothies"!

Vita Smoothies is a pioneering smoothie specialty store that recognized the appeal of smoothies before they were established in Japan and opened in 2005. The cream yellow walls and orange sunshades, with a slightly retro feel, create a great atmosphere.

The blackboard is filled with a menu of mouthwatering items. None of the drinks are preservative-free. They use plenty of fruits and vegetables, mainly from Okinawa, and their original smoothies, which are made without ice and have a rich flavor, are apparently very popular.

Hey hey, I'm really intrigued by the menu items like "Pure Body" and "Pretty Woman."

Wow, that's true. Personally, I'm also interested in "stress busters" (laughs).

After much deliberation while listening to the staff's recommendations, the two decided to order a seasonal menu item made with rare mango and a cute-looking parfait-like dish.

On the left is the "Ripe Keitt Mango Smoothie" (950 yen), made with plenty of Keitt mangoes ripened by contracted farmers, and on the right is the "Colorful Purple Sweet Potato Banana" (780 yen), made with purple sweet potato, banana, and strawberry. This is very filling, thanks to the granola and whipped cream. If you dine in, it is served in an original Ryukyu glass.

"It's important to eat what your body needs." "When I don't have time, I just eat whatever I can, but I need to stop doing that."

The conversation naturally turned to health. I let myself go with the flow and before I knew it, it was evening. On this day, I had a leisurely dinner at the hotel and refreshed myself at the spa. I went to bed early to prepare for the next day.

Vita Smoothies

Meanwhile, what about the Okinawa Compass team?

The Okinawa Compass team headed north from the airport and started in Onna Village. They enjoyed a gourmet course that included a delicious Okinawa soba noodle dish and mango shaved ice, as well as a dinner surrounded by a sunset view.

→Read the Okinawa Compass Day 1 article

*Okinawa Compass is a mobile service, so it may not display correctly when viewed from a PC. We recommend accessing it from a smartphone.

A follow-up article on OnTrip JAL editorial team's second and third days of the trip will be published in December 2023.

Okinawa Compass

*Some content was updated on December 1, 2023.

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