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In a new series for Channel 4, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will be travelling all over the world searching for the culinary secret to a long and healthy life. Amongst other places, in episode 2 the Naked Chef will be visiting Okinawa – my old stomping ground and the place with the highest life expectancy in the world. Here, the inhabitants attribute their longevity to their diet.
To celebrate Jamie’s new programme, in this post I’ll run you through some of my favourite things to do in Onna-son, on the Okinawan mainland. For three months in 2013, I had the pleasure of living in Onna-son (恩納村), about halfway up the western coast of Okinawa. Only an hour or so by car from Naha, Onna-son is ideally situated for attractions in both the north and the south of Okinawa – but it has its own merits too!
Here are a few of my local recommendations:
1. Dive!
Okinawa is one of the best places in the world for scuba diving, and Onna-son boasts some of its most spectacular diving spots. The waters here are crystal clear, the coral reefs plentiful, and the marine life unmissable – plus, the subtropical climate means diving is possible all year round!
Top of the list of diving hotspots in Onna-son are the Blue Cave (although it’s best to visit out of season as it can get extremely busy), and the Dream Hole.
2. Hit the beach
If in doubt in Okinawa, head to the beach. Beaches such as Nabi beach offer banana boat rides and other water sports, and those who don’t fancy scuba diving can get a glimpse of the reefs with just a snorkel and mask – which you can buy from your local convenience store.
Away from the beaten track, Onna-son also boasts some wilder beaches that are certainly worth exploring – especially for a glimpse of some distinctive Okinawan turtleback tombs.
3. Grab a pancake at a Hawaiian pancake house
Hawaiian pancakes seem to be something of a speciality in Onna-son, with at least three pancake houses within a two-mile radius of my apartment building. They’re all delicious, but I particularly recommend sampling the macadamia pancakes at Kaiholo, where you’ll be accompanied by at least five little dogs in assorted costumes.
4. Sample Okinawan culture at the Ryukyu Mura
Traditional Okinawan culture is strikingly different from that of mainland Japan, and you can find out all about it at Ryukyu Mura, a reconstructed traditional Okinawan village in southern Onna-son.
Here, visitors can learn to play sanshin, try their hand at making pottery, paint a pair of shisa, sample traditional Okinawan foods, learn about poisonous snakes, witness a re-enacted historical parade and watch performances of eisa dancing and taiko drumming.
5. Have a Benimo bonanza at the Okashi goten
At this somewhat out-of-the-way sweet shop, not only can you sample all kinds of Benimo and Shikuasa flavoured sweets and snacks for free, but you can also watch them being made in the small factory at the back of the shop. If you still have space after this, there is also a restaurant and an ice cream cafe, from which you can enjoy spectacular views of Ie island across the ocean.
6. Admire the view at Manza Mo
Manza Mo is a beautiful limestone promontory shaped like an elephant’s trunk, topped by a large, grassy meadow. Its name was given by Ryukyu king Sho Kei in the 18th century, and means “a place where 10,000 people could sit.”
7. Learn the art of glass-blowing
Okinawa is known for its traditional pottery and glass, and you can try your hand at glass-blowing at various venues in Onna-son.
8. Walk on windswept cliffs at Cape Maeda
Cape Maeda is the site of the Blue Cave, and another beautiful spot boasting views of Eastern Okinawa’s craggy coastline.
9. Get your teeth into traditional Okinawan cuisine at Umi Budou
“Umi Budou,” meaning “sea grapes,” is the name of a distinctive type of Okinawan seaweed – and of this restaurant in Onna-son – which is so popular that there is a waiting list during the busy season. Virtually all of the Okinawan dishes that I mentioned in my post on Okinawan food can be sampled here – from raw goat to raw goya. Not to be missed!
Check out one of my FIRST EVER blog posts for InsideJapan Tours for the Top 10 Okinawan foods you must try.