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

*Prices include tax.

Enjoy your ideal breakfast at "GOOD DAY COFFEE"

On our last day, we got up early and headed to GOOD DAY COFFEE, the most popular coffee place in Chatan.

Open from 6am to 3pm, this cafe is known for its delicious coffee and wide variety of breakfast menu items. As Chatan is a place with many foreign residents, the cafe is popular with a constant stream of customers of various nationalities, so expectations are naturally high.

Owner Tatsuya Miyazato moved from Okinawa to Australia in his 20s, and during his stay he was immersed in Sydney's coffee culture. After returning to Japan, he opened a cafe in this place that has a similar atmosphere to Australia, fusing his beloved coffee and surf culture. The location is close to Kadena Air Base, which helped increase the number of repeat foreign customers, and it quickly became a popular cafe in the Chatan area.

The space, which was created by "breaking down walls in a foreign-resident's house and renovating it," makes you feel like you're somewhere overseas, and the stay there is so comfortable that it feels slightly out of the ordinary.

On the left is the "GOOD DAY BREAKY" (800 yen). The avocado slices form an artistic arch on the plate, and the thick toast is topped with twin sunny side ups and crispy bacon. It's a visual that promises to be delicious.

On the right is "FRENCH TOAST" (700 yen). Served with banana, the French toast has a cute coffee bean placed on top of the whipped cream in front.

The drinks on the left are "Long Black" (450 yen) and on the right are "Latte" (500 yen). The coffee beans are ordered directly from a roaster in Byron Bay. The light roasted beans have a clean taste and go perfectly with the food.

I'm not good at getting up early, but I think I can do it for the sake of delicious food (laughs).

Breakfast when traveling is important as it can greatly affect your mood for the day! The coffee was delicious, so it was a good start.

The two got off to a good start with a delicious breakfast and headed off in high spirits to their next spot.

GOOD DAY COFFEE

Find souvenirs at Okinawa's craft chocolate shop "TIMELESS CHOCOLATE"

The stylish exterior blends in with the Chatan cityscape. We visited TIMELESS CHOCOLATE, a craft chocolate specialty store located in the neighborhood, about 3-4 minutes by car from GOOD DAY COFFEE.

The store was originally located in American Village, but was relocated and renovated in 2021. In addition to the shop, it also houses a workshop and a cafe.

There is a factory at the back of the spacious store. You can see the craftsmen at work through the glass. In front and to the side are a number of the store's original products. Drinks and food are available for both eat-in and take-out.

The two were lucky enough to meet the owner, Masayuki Hayashi, and were intrigued by his passionate explanation. They compared the unique flavors of carefully home-roasted cacao beans and Okinawan sugarcane. They were particularly impressed by the richness of the "natural flavors" and "the unique flavors of sugarcane on each island," which Hayashi believes have great potential.

"Cacao Brown Sugar" is a versatile item that can be used not only as a dessert but also in salads, meat dishes, etc. All of them have stylish packaging, making you want to take them home to your friends.

Enjoy cafe time with Hayashi's original smoothie made with cacao fruit shot (100% juice extracted from the pulp inside the cacao fruit) and a chocolate drink that lets you fully enjoy the flavor of chocolate.

What a surprise! It tastes like lychee or yogurt...? Such a refreshing flavor!

Delicious! The chocolate drink is not too sweet, but still very satisfying!

Creating products that are unique to Okinawa. We felt like we were able to get a glimpse into the lives of the people who work there. We both felt like we wanted to support them, but also reflected on the fact that we need to work harder ourselves.

TIMELESS CHOCOLATE

Get power from the spectacular views at "Kafu Banta" in Miyagi Island

The trip is finally coming to an end. We head to Kafu Banta on Miyagi Island, one of the most spectacular views on the main island that we were determined to visit.

Banta means "cliff" or "cape" in Okinawan. "Kafu Banta" is a power spot where you can see a magnificent view from the top of the cliff, where the breathtaking emerald green sea blends with the abundant nature, as it is the cape of Kafu (happiness).

When the two went up to the observation deck on the cape, they couldn't help but cheer at the clarity and beauty of the sea, where they could even see the coral!

Wow...! I can't put it into words.

Just looking at it is soothing.

Below them is a white sand beach, nearby where sea turtles apparently lay their eggs. Surrounded by the sea breeze and the sounds of the waves, the two of them are energized by the magnificent natural scenery. Finally, they head to their last spot.

Good fortune Banta

Find things that will last you a long time at "D&Department OKINAWA"

After a quick 50-minute drive from Miyagi Island to Okinawa City, we arrived at PLAZA HOUSE, said to be the oldest shopping center in Japan. Our destination was the community shop on the second floor, D&DEPARTMENT OKINAWA by PLAZA3. As craft lovers, this was a shop we both really wanted to stop by at the end of our trip.

This is the actual store of D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT, which unearths "long-lasting local designs" and promotes the charm of each region. They carry a wide range of items, mainly carefully selected miscellaneous goods and apparel. They have stores all over the country, and are, so to speak, "design roadside stations."

Trying to contain their excitement, the two immediately get immersed in shopping.

I can't help but find my eye drawn to Yachimun again.

Aoki-san, look at this. Isn't this nice? I wonder if it's an accessory part.

What Okamoto found in the showcase was a work by "cicafu metal works," a metalwork unit that produces a wide range of items, mainly accessories using silver and brass, as well as ornaments and mobiles.

These are parts of a "tassel ring" inspired by the jewelry of the traditional Okinawan craft "Kuga Nizeku". A tassel ring is an accessory given by parents to their daughters during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, and each part was bound together with a wish and given as a "bride's ring" at the wedding.

There are also items with classic Ryukyu patterns and original designs, and each one seems to have a meaning that shows consideration for the recipient. Okamoto-san was fascinated by the items in the display case for a while. He chose a pair of male and female shisa (4,180 yen each).

When you know the background, it's even more appealing. I wonder if I can put it on a necklace I have. I feel like the little shisa will protect me.

It may be a small but powerful talisman! It will be filled with memories of this trip and will make a great souvenir.

In fact, many people buy the tassel rings made by cicafu metal works as gifts for themselves. They have the feeling that they can take them home with them and continue to use them for a long time, together with the Okinawan culture. That is how we want to live our lives, cherishing our things.

D&Department OKINAWA by PLAZA3

[What happens on the third day for the Okinawa Compass team?]

After a luxurious morning meal and lunch with a spectacular view, the two of them were recharged with energy and headed to MegaZip! After some exercise, they went full speed ahead to the end to look for sweets and souvenirs.
→Read the article on Okinawa Compass Day 3

The two of them have been traveling with the theme of "facing yourself". Even though there were no major physical activities, the two were filled with experiences that touched their hearts. They were able to come into contact with high-quality foods, enjoy carefully prepared gourmet food, and were filled with a sense of great satisfaction during their three-day, two-night trip.

"It was great that we were able to create a travel itinerary so easily. We didn't have much time to discuss it all, but we were able to coordinate by sharing our favorite spots," and "Yes, even when we were there, the recommendation function suggested restaurants that we liked, so we didn't have any regrets later!" They are both grateful to Okinawa Compass for supporting them from the planning stage of this trip.

Even after you return from your trip, you can keep the bookmarks as a memory. You can look back on it later, so it's also useful when you want to introduce Okinawa's recommended information to your friends. From before your trip to after, use the app well to enjoy Okinawa to the fullest.

Okinawa Compass

Related article

The latest souvenirs you can only buy in Okinawa: 12 high-quality items including sweets and seasonings

We will introduce "souvenirs that can only be purchased in Okinawa" from among the many attractive items that Okinawa has to offer, nurtured by its unique culture and beautiful nature. We have picked out a total of 12 items that can be purchased around Naha City, including tasteful items that will delight the recipient, souvenirs that only a connoisseur will know about, and items you'll want to buy for yourself.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

For advanced Okinawa visitors. We will guide you to the deepest part of Okinawa, where you can discover everything just by taking a half step.

For those of you who have visited Okinawa many times and have seen most of the major tourist spots, on your next trip to Okinawa, why not try visiting some deep spots where you can experience Okinawa's history and culture first-hand?

ontrip.jal.co.jp