Date I went: 03/29/2020
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oritabi808/
Let's take a journey to a few touristy spots in Southern Okinawa including the Okinawa Glass Village, Itoman Bibi Beach, and Umikaji Terrace!
Ryukyu Glass Village (琉球ガラス村)
I'm glad I didn't go to the Ryukyu Glass village with my mom because she would have spent hours there looking at all the glassware they had to offer.
Here's a few links where you can learn more about the glassware village
Glassware Village Website: https://www.ryukyu-glass.co.jp/en/craft/
Outside of the glassware village building
The design of the glassware village building really catches the eye. With the blue tiled pillars holding a turtle shell shaped dome roof. There were many decorations around the street in front of the glassware village showcasing the glassware village artists prowess.
In the process of making glassware
There's a huge kiln that looks like a space rocket in the middle of the glassblowing studio. At least 15 different craftsmen were using the kiln at a time making glass cups, bowls, and even more complicated forms like flowers.
Glassware examples
These are just a few examples of the 1,000 different unique designs they make at the glassware village. The bottom picture is made from glass tiles put together in that angel shape.
Itoman Bibi Beach (美々ビーチいとまん)
It was already the late afternoon when I arrived at Itoman Bibi beach, but there were still a few beach goers. Some beach volleyball nets were set up. Okinawans definitely like being active at the beach it seems.
Umikaji Terrace Senagajima (瀬長島 ウミカジテラス)
If you are in the shopping and cute restaurant/cafe mood then just head to Umikaji Terrace!
Umikaji Terrace website: https://www.umikajiterrace.com/about-umikajiterrace/
Natural Beach Open Space (自然海浜広場)
There was a poor old cat just trying to make his way across the street... cats were plentiful here as well as they are in many parts of Okinawa.
Child Treasure Rock (瀬長島の子宝岩)
I guess it kind of looks like a treasure box if I squint very hard... It's a cool rock to see if you walk about 5 minutes down the road from Umikaji Terrace.
The most memorable part of Umikaji Terrace for me was making some new friends there! They were two flight attendants from Japan doing a routine inter Japan flight. They were kind enough to have a meal with a strange guy like me. It started to rain a bit as well so I gave them a lift back to Naha as well (only a 15 minute drive away).
After my very very very long adventure that day I needed to fill up on gas for my final day in Okinawa. There was a pretty interesting car was I saw as well, very space efficient I thought.
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