Naha-City, Okinawa

Entrance to Shurijou (首里城).

View from the entrance.

Okinawan 'Family Mart'.

Pork Market.

Not very nice...

Izakaya Ryoji (りょう次)

A local friend took us to Izakaya Ryoji (居酒屋野郎りょう次)

which served authentic Okinawan dishes.

Umi-Budou (海ぶどう),

which is directly translated as 'Sea Grapes'.

Mimiga (ミミガー),

broiled Pig Ear.

Beni-Imo Fries.

Beni-Imo is a purple colored sweet potato.

Rafute (ラフテー)

which is the Okinawan term for kakuni.

Shima-Rakkyou (島らっきょう).

Grilled Okinawan Chicken.

Washed it down with Awamori (泡盛).

Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)

One of my main motives to visit Okinawa

(the beach was #1 but a huge storm hit Okinawa)

was to visit Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館).

Storm. So unlucky.

Entrance to the aquarium.

This fish is... unattractive. haha.

Sea turtle.

Leopard print Ray. Stylish.

WHALE SHARKS!!

THIS is the main reason for my visit.

Could stare at this the whole day...

Such an elegant beauty...

Dreaming until the day I get to swim with one!

(notice the huge Manta Ray in the back)
Found this amazing video that features this aquarium.
So soothing.

The Fish Market

The Fish Market in Okinawa.

The colorful fish looks artificially colored.

More colorful fishes.

The fishes above turned into this platter.

Matsu-Soba (松そば)

Went to Okinawa a couple of weekends ago.

Sign at the airport, 'menso-re' meaning 'welcome'.

Our first lunch at Matsu Soba (松そば).

This restaurant specializes in Okinawa Soba, or Okinawan Ramen.

This store is owned and operated by my friend's relatives

where a part of their home is renovated.

My first Okinawa Soba.

The soup here was so delicious!

'Soki Soba'.