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

*Prices include tax.

After breakfast, the two stayed in Naha City and checked their itinerary while looking at the "Travel Guide" they made using the app. On the second day, they planned to enjoy "Yachimun (pottery)" from three different angles: "making, buying, and eating."

Immerse yourself in pottery at Ikutoen Tsuboya-yaki Yachimun Dojo

From Yachimun Street, we walked through narrow streets that would easily lead to confusion if we didn't have a navigation system, and finally arrived at the Yachimun Dojo. The dojo is a quaint building with a red Ryukyu tile roof, and at the entrance we were greeted by a variety of large and small shisa lions.

The dojo is run by Ikutouen, a long-established pottery manufacturer that has been producing Tsuboya ware for six generations in the birthplace of Yachimun. Some of the shisa lions sold at Ikutouen are made using lion shapes that have been passed down for generations at the pottery manufacturer, and the expressive shisa lions are Ikutouen's specialty.

At the dojo, you can try out the Shisa, potter's wheel, hand-building, and painting activities, but the two chose the beginner-friendly potter's wheel. For about 30 minutes, they were given detailed instruction on everything from shaping the vessel to how to work with the clay.

First, press down on the pedal at your feet to adjust the speed of the potter's wheel. Then, dip your hands in the water and squeeze the potter's wheel together to make it thinner.

I had to use more force than I thought I would, and it was pretty hard to change the shape...

Just like in life, things don't always go as planned (laughs). You need to be determined...!

For a brief moment of concentration, the two of them turned the potter's wheel in silence, and as they faced the clay, they also seemed to come face to face with themselves.

The clay shrinks by about 20% when fired, so the trick to firing it as you imagine is to shape it with that in mind. If you only experience the potter's wheel like the two of them, it costs 2,530 yen. If you want to actually fire and finish it after shaping, it costs 4,950 yen (shipping costs are charged separately).

Tsuboya Pottery Ikutoen Yachimun Dojo

Visit "tituti OKINAWAN CRAFT" - a craft shop where you can talk to artists

After the pottery experience, the two of them became more interested in Yachimun and decided to take a walk around the area.

As I walked with my map open, I discovered a shop I had seen in an article before my trip within walking distance! I decided to make a detour.

[Point 2. Maps that provide great assistance]

Marks are displayed for spots registered in your favorites or travel plans, and for shops that provide coupons and notifications. You can stop by places you hadn't planned on visiting, and you might make some unexpected discoveries.

Okamoto had seen an article about "tituti OKINAWAN CRAFT" beforehand. It is a unique craft shop where the artists themselves promote the depth and charm of Okinawan crafts, and also manage the store and serve customers. In particular, she was interested in the "Coral Blue Series" by popular ceramic artist Yumiko Kinjo, which exudes strength.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet Kaneshiro in person on this day, but his works were on display in the store.

I'm happy that the texture is just as I imagined! It's a vibrant blue that is unique to Okinawa.

The color is bold, but the rough texture of the earth gives it a calm feel. It seems like it would go well with a variety of dishes.

And after much deliberation, I decided to buy a large plate. "Let's motivate ourselves so that we can try harder to cook at home this time!" It was an investment in myself.

tituti OKINAWAN CRAFT

Yachimun, a part of everyday life. Cafe and miscellaneous goods shop "mofgmona"

About 30 minutes heading northeast from the city center will take you to the cafe "mofgmona."

Located near Okinawa International University, the owners rented an old building that was previously an apartment building for students, and with the help of their friends from their university days, they completely renovated the space.

The rough-hewn look of the exposed flooring, the deep wood color, and the effective use of pillars create a three-dimensional space for walking around in this handmade loft. The antique furniture and miscellaneous items purchased by the owners at flea markets overseas all blend together in a comfortable and impressive atmosphere.

The Yachimun pottery displayed in the store blends naturally into the space, giving the impression of peering into a cupboard at home.

The Ryukyu glass cups displayed in the bay window sparkle beautifully in the sunlight, and your eye will be drawn to various places as you walk around the store.

The two sat by a bright window and each ordered a recommended dish from the menu, both of which were served in Yachimun pottery dishes.

The "Today's Rice Plate" (1,573 yen) in the foreground of the photo is served with vegetable potage, meat dishes, island and seasonal vegetable side dishes, and a generous amount of leaf salad (homemade Okinawan wild herb tea is included). The "Chicken Masala Curry Plate" (1,380 yen) in the background of the photo is a homemade spice curry. You can choose between brown rice or turmeric rice. The two of us were very satisfied with this well-balanced lunch.

After the meal, we went to the Yachimun gallery "mofgmonano zakka" on the upper floor.

Once you start buying tableware, you end up wanting more and more (laughs).

Especially when I'm traveling (laughs). Hey, hey, Ryukyu glass is lovely too, isn't it?

Although it is generally called "Yachimun," there are many different styles. This is a shop we highly recommend for those who want to compare a variety of items.

mofgmona

mofgmona no zakka

The twilight at Chatan Park Sunset Beach is like a scene from a movie.

After moving to Chatan, the final destination of the day, we checked into the hotel and took a rest. There was still some time before we met up with the Okinawa Compass team. So we opened the map on the app and discovered Chatan Park Sunset Beach, a famous spot for watching the sunset. We decided to stop by there before dinner.

The two of them managed to make it just in time for sunset. The scenery was like a scene from a movie. There were couples and families around, and because it is Chatan, there were many foreigners, and there were also groups having BBQs here and there.

The evening view is so beautiful you can almost hear the background music!

This is what's romantic...!

The two of them were lost in thought for a while, soothed by the light of the sea and the sound of the waves.

Chatan Park Sunset Beach

Chatan Harbor Brewery & Restaurant: Enjoy a craft beer and reminisce about your travels

It was about a 15-minute walk from Sunset Beach to the dinner venue, where we were to meet the Okinawa Compass team.

As its name suggests, CHATAN HARBOR BREWERY&RESTAURANT is a complex restaurant that offers dinner cruises, a craft beer brewery, a bar, etc. With a view of Chatan Port, the restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and a resort feel.

Once all four of them had safely reunited, they each ordered their favorite beer and toasted!

The food menu here is based on American grill and features seafood and meat dishes, all of which are sure to go well with beer.

We ordered the "Meat Platter" (4,200 yen) which comes with diced beef steak, grilled chicken, chorizo, honey mustard pork spare ribs, and onion rings and shared it with everyone.

Chatan Beer is a craft beer based on the concept of Okinawa's nature. From the left, there are three types: Weizen, Lager, Stout, and IPA (India Pale Ale). All medium sizes are 990 yen.

As we drank more and more, we were having a great time and couldn't stop talking about our memories of the trip. Then, I got a push notification from the app. It was about "GOOD DAY COFFEE," a place I had bookmarked before the trip.

[Point 3. Push notifications]

You'll receive regular notifications from stores, coupons, and more, making your trip smoother and more affordable.

When the two discussed whether it would be good for breakfast, the Okinawa Compass team replied, "This cafe is popular, so you'd better get there early!" This was encouraging advice.

With the plans for the next morning already decided, I was relieved. I thoroughly enjoyed the Okinawa night that day.

CHATAN HARBOR BREWERY&RESTAURANT

What about the second day for the Okinawa Compass team?

The Okinawa Compass team enjoyed breakfast at a cafe with a spectacular view, lunch overlooking the blue sea, and sweets at Yachimun Cafe. They rediscovered the charm of Okinawa through food.
→Read the article on Okinawa Compass Day 2

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

Okinawa Compass

​Click here to see OnTrip JAL editorial team's trip on the third day!

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