Exploring Naha!

Hello!

When last I blogged, we had had breakfast and were contemplating money and a sightseeing trip around downtown Naha via the Monorail that runs directly outside of our hotel.  Very convenient! 

Monorail tracks across street from our hotel

Train coming!

So, first things first – YEN!  (Now I need to interject here that R actually asked me – as I’m SO well organized – why I hadn’t kept some yen from living in Okinawa…I did not dignify that with a response.)  We were told there was a bank directly across the street from the hotel, so we headed there first.  Very frustrating!  This was a Bank of the Ryukyus (which is the formal name of this prefecture of Japan, encompassing the main island of Okinawa, where we are now, as well all the islands that surround us.) 

We were able to identify the machine by the convenient “ATM” which was absolutely the ONLY English or other language on it! 

Shopping center at metro stop

Public art -- ceiling of outdoor cover!

Me and Shoji Lion Dog!

However, when R tried to insert his card, it kept getting rejected.  Not happy.  So, I remembered that there was supposed to be an ATM in the Monorail station, so we headed there next.  Literally, up the elevator to the second floor and then across the bridge over the street.  We were able to access the ATM, and wow – the sound of that little machine counting out money is always a welcome noise!  We picked up 50,000 Yen, which is the equivalent of $444 U.S.  (Editor’s note:  When I lived here in 1975-77, the exchange rate was basically 300 Yen to $1 U.S.) 

Wonderful shops!

Sidewalk cover artwork!

Some things just never go away!

We were then able to buy two all-day transport passes (800 Yen each, or about $8 U.S.), which are good on the Monorail and on the buses.  However, as the Monorail was so convenient, I think we’ll be sticking with that today.  So, Monorail train came and we took it one stop to Kencho-Mae.  Exited to the street, and walked a block or two to Kokusai-Dori, the main street in Naha.

It was chilly outside, and we felt some rain drops walking along, and of course our umbrellas were safe and warm and dry inside our hotel room!  Fortunately, though, it didn’t develop into a rainstorm.  We had a wonderful time looking at all the fascinating shops lining both sides of the street.  So many colors and so many patterns – and SO much junk!!  Again, just about everything was in Japanese, and it literally all becomes one big blur – but it’s a nice blur!  We walked for probably a mile or so, and finally decided to have a bit of a sit-down in the first McDonald’s we found. 

One entrance to Heiwa-Dori covered market

All roofed in!

I got us two Coke Zero’s.  Hopefully, R has been able to successfully photograph our McDonald’s receipt.  The only identification that makes any sense to us is the little “m” and the number – other than that, it’s not even Greek to me, because at least if it were in Greek, Robert would be able to read the letters!!

From McDonald’s, we found our way into the labyrinth of glass-roofed streets that encompass Heiwa-Dori, the equivalent of a Turkish bazaar, which was actually something that I vaguely remember from 40 years ago.  That and the adjacent fish market – which for obvious reasons is hard to forget! 

Heiwa-Dori led us eventually to the Tsuboya Pottery district, and Tsuboya Pottery Museum, which was quite lovely.  Entrance for both of us was about 580 Yen ($6 U.S.)  It was built long after I left, but encompasses some archeological ancient kilns that were discovered in the 1990’s.  Fortunately for us, while the signage was almost entirely in Japanese, we were able to get excellent audio guides that took us around the two floors of the museum.  We were able to follow the different kinds of pottery made and used in Okinawa over the years, as well as see one of the original kilns that has been unearthed. 

Some stunning local pottery

Love to take this home...

After the museum, we spent some time looking through some of the pottery shops.  Really, some stunning shapes and designs – and truly, if you’re looking for a way to have overweight luggage, this would be it!  Very, very solid and heavy pieces.  We’ve decided that we will think about some of the pieces we saw today, as we will be back in Naha for a few days at the end of our trip, and just need to have enough time to be able to get it wrapped and shipped back home; ain’t no way it’s going in suitcases!

Wandered back through Heiwa-Dori and through the fish market, and back out on to Kokusai street.  As it was getting on toward lunch, we figured we’d walk to the Monorail stop at the far end of Kokusai-Dori and see if anything looked good (passing up, I might add, the McDonald’s, Burger King and A&W along the way!) 

Shoji Lion Dog

Dogs used in sets to protect property

Fresh fish market!

Down a side street, we found a small place which looked interesting, and decided to try to see if we could get some noodles.  Interesting concept:  When you walk in the door, there is an electronic machine that has photos and prices and short descriptions – in English if you can find the button!  You press for what you want, the machine totals it up, and then you insert cash or coins (no credit cards; don’t know if it is like that for all similar machines, or just this one).  Then you take a seat, and a few minutes later, our food was brought to us!  We were able – after several frustrating attempts – to order what we thought we might like, and get the receipt for our purchase.  I ordered ramen noodles with spring onions (our green onions) and R ordered the same in the “spicy” version.  R had a small Orion beer and I had what was called “orange juice” (but was actually a very tasty orange soda) to drink. 

Robert and his island-made Orion beer

Ceiling of restaurant; all spoons!

My spring onion ramen

R's spicy ramen

Very clean and funky interior, and in a few minutes, we had our food!  Very tasty, and hot and steaming bowls of broth with selected ingredients inside. 

From lunch, we headed directly to the closest Monorail station, as we were beginning to fade a bit and the call of a nice nap was sounding like a good idea. So, back to the hotel about 1:15 pm and to sleep very quickly.  Up again about 4 (yes, we slept something like 3 hours!) and this time, we decided to take the Monorail all the way to each end, just to see what there was to see.  (We do love public transportation!) 

Rode first to Shuri, where the original castle, completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in WWII, was rebuilt in the 1990’s.  (This was the original home of Okinawa’s king.)  We will be staying close to Shuri Castle when we return to Naha.  We really just had to stay on the train, and were able to ride from one end to the other!  On this particular route, we passed a HUGE Japanese supermarket (which I don’t ever remember seeing any of when I lived here) as well as not one but TWO mega-malls – the Galleria T and AEON.  Saw all sorts of up-scale shops that definitely weren’t here in the 1970’s!  Obviously, Okinawa has become a tourist mecca! 

Little treat left in our room; too cute to eat!

Back to the hotel after our ride, so I am blogging now, before we head out for dinner!

More later,

m

xxx