Hello, and welcome to Enjoy Your Life. Today, I’ll be sharing my experience from my trip to Okinawa, Japan.
Okinawa, Japan
I’ve visited many cities in Japan, but Okinawa is the most memorable of them all. It’s such a clean and relaxing city that I always want to return whenever I can. The only downside is that, compared to other Japanese cities, there aren’t as many good restaurants. So, I’d recommend Okinawa more for rest and relaxation rather than for food.
On this trip, I headed to Kouri Island. The sky was clear, and the sea was just as bright and beautiful. Luckily, there was no traffic.
The weather that day was a little unpredictable—it rained on and off, and the sky looks dark in the pictures. Still, the views were wonderful.
We crossed the Kouri Bridge to reach Kouri Island. The ocean stretched out on both sides, sparkling and calm—it was truly breathtaking.
We then visited the Kouri Ocean Tower. From there, you can see Kouri Bridge in the distance, with the clear blue ocean on both sides. Seeing it in person feels so refreshing, almost like opening your heart.
It was amazing to see it again from different angles, even from the Ocean Tower’s rooftop. At the parking lot, I noticed a family enjoying themselves—they looked so happy, and it made the place feel even warmer.
Enjoy Your Life Recommended [Okinawa] Shurijo Castle- Cape Chinen Park- Cape Manzamo Travel Route!!
Shurijo Castle -> Cape Chinen Park -> Cape Manzamo
About 40 min by car About 1 hr by car
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Travel Period:
Okinawa Three nights and four days
Cape Chinen Park
I personally prefer free travel because it lets me go anywhere I want, on my own schedule. When I travel abroad, I usually use public transportation, but in Okinawa, I rented a car to get around. If you’re planning a trip to Okinawa, I definitely recommend renting a car. At first, it felt awkward since the driver’s seat and traffic flow are the same as in the UK—opposite of South Korea—but I quickly got used to it.
One of the places I visited was Cape Chinen Park, located on the southeast side of Okinawa Island. The view there was absolutely fantastic.
After parking, I walked a short distance to reach the viewpoint. Right next to the parking lot, there was a school where students were exercising. Since the park didn’t have its own restroom, I ended up using the school’s facilities.
The scenery was so beautiful that I wished I could fully capture it in photos. From the park, you can see the Nirai Kanai Bridge in the distance. I had driven across it on the way to Cape Chinen Park, and the view while driving over the bridge was stunning.
The water was crystal clear, the atmosphere quiet, and the surroundings peaceful—it felt like a perfect healing spot.
This concludes my review of Cape Chinen Park.
Shurijo Castle
There was a news report that a fire broke out at Shurijo Castle at the end of 2019. I was very sorry to hear that, as Shurijo Castle is one of Okinawa’s most symbolic tourist attractions, located in Shuri, the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Since we share the same Asian culture, the architecture didn’t feel completely unfamiliar, but it still had its own unique charm. The castle grounds were quite large—it took me about three to four hours to walk through the entire site.
There’s an admission fee if you want to tour the inside. The style is somewhat similar to castles or palaces in Korea, but it has a slightly different atmosphere.
After the tour, I walked to the back of the castle, where you can climb up and enjoy a panoramic view.
The castle complex is surprisingly spacious, and the scenery is worth the visit.
Cape Manzamo
Okinawa is often called the “Hawaii of Japan.” It’s truly beautiful and a wonderful place for healing. From now on, I’ll share my experience visiting Manzamo, one of Okinawa’s must-visit spots.
Manzamo is especially famous among Koreans for its Elephant Rock. The name “Manzamo” actually means “a field wide enough for 10,000 people to sit.” When I visited, even though it was raining, there were still many tourists.
From the entrance, you need to walk a short distance to reach the viewpoint of Elephant Rock. Manzamo itself is shaped like a circular path—once you walk around it, you’ve seen everything. It’s quite small and can be explored in about 10 minutes if you move quickly.
Looking at the rock from the viewing point, it really does resemble an elephant.
The color of the water was stunningly clear, and I could even see boats floating on the sea. Just watching this scenery made me feel so relaxed. The weather was pleasant, and the ocean sparkled with clarity.
In the distance, I could see the InterContinental Resort. Visitors can take a submarine tour or enjoy a buffet there, though I didn’t have the chance to try it myself.
Summary: Overall, I would give Okinawa 4 out of 5 points. Personally, I felt a deep sense of healing—almost like being in heaven. However, compared to other Japanese cities, the food scene wasn’t as impressive, with fewer outstanding restaurants.
I especially liked Cape Chinen Park because I prefer quiet and scenic places. If I return to Okinawa, I would definitely visit again. For me, it deserves 4 out of 5 points.
For those interested in world history, especially Okinawa’s unique past, Shurijo Castle is worth a visit. I don’t know how much has changed since the fire, but if it has been restored, I recommend going. That said, since it shares similarities with other Asian architecture, it didn’t feel particularly different or unique to me. Personally, I’d rate it 3 out of 5 points.
Lastly, Manzamo (Elephant Rock) was beautiful and memorable. It’s very clean, though the area is small and can get crowded with tourists. If you visit Okinawa, I’d recommend stopping by. Personally, I’d give it 3 out of 5 points.
Have a great day.
I forbid unauthorized use of my writing and photos!!