The Choi family arrived in Naha Airport’s International Terminal before noon. They took a taxi from the airport and headed to Yomitan Village! They were so excited to see a magnificent 180 degree ocean view!

Lunch at the fishing harbor

The Choi family had a fresh seafood lunch at Toya Fishing Harbor♪
“This sashimi is not frozen, but so fresh and sweet!” (Sashimi: raw fish)

When the Choi family arrived back at the harbor, their host family gave them a warm welcome.
“At first, we weren’t sure if our children would get along with our host’s grandchildren because of the language barrier, but they quickly became friends”
“The host family’s residence was a large, detached house. It was extremely cute and reminded me of Doraemon’s house”
“We were shocked when we heard that this type of house is normal for Okinawa and that the shower and the toilet are typically in two separate rooms”
“We had an amazing experience staying in a local house rather than a hotel since we learned how to cook and eat Okinawa style with the host family”
“Our children enjoyed spending time with the Japanese children and their family so much that they always went to bed late”
“Oh, it felt so cozy and comfortable sleeping on a futon placed on top of a tatami!”
“We found putting away the futon after we woke up was extremely effective since it freed up more space for us to use during the day“
By the end of the day, the Choi family was not only able to experience the host family’s kindness and hospitality, but also enjoy delicious local food.

After having breakfast with the host family, the Choi family left to try on the traditional costume of Okinawa, which used to be called “the Ryukyu Kingdom. The traditional costume, which was originally influenced by China, looked incredible on the Choi family. A commemorative photo of the Choi family in front of a traditional Okinawan house. The Choi family looks so lovely!

The Choi family experienced two cultural activities in the afternoon.
The first activity was learning Okinawa’s traditional dyeing method. The local who teaches the dyeing method is nationally recognized as a contemporary master craftsman. Mrs. Choi dyed her cloth and made a beautiful scarf.
“We’ve had a wonderful experience here that we can’t normally do”

Next, the Choi family went to Okinawa’s famous Okashi Goten confectionery.
At the confectionary, you can find not only Beni-imo tarts, which is a popular local gift that is made from sweet potatoes, but also many other original sweets. The Choi family enjoyed watching the production line through the viewing window and shopping for sweets.

After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye.
The Choi family found that it was a lot harder to say goodbye than they thought. While saying goodbye, the Choi family’s eldest son was crestfallen and the host family’s grandson was weeping. The two families hope to see each other again sometime.

The Choi family enjoyed a buffet-styled Okinawan and Japanese lunch at Hotel Nikko Alivila. Nikko Alivila is not only very popular among tourists with families, but the locals also come and dine at the hotel for special occasions. The Choi family could not stop eating at the buffet with so many mouth-watering Japanese food choices such as sushi, tempura, dessert, and fruit.

As you can see from the Choi family’s experience, there’s so much more to Okinawa than what the mere internet or travel magazines can tell you about.