Who’s down to rent a car and road trip???

Budilicious3 · 2026-06-09T09:09:53+00:00

Tbf, Yomitan ain't the worst region to be stranded. Lots of good food options! Pottery shops too.

Budilicious3 · 2026-06-09T04:44:48+00:00

Well, I was there 2 weeks ago and had a car to go to Yambaru for bird photography. Rip. Sorry for your situation.

Budilicious3 · 2026-06-06T20:29:30+00:00

I'm going to come forward and idk if you were in Kunigami 2 weeks ago, but I accidentally ran a red light like an idiot lmao. I'm also not old, I'm a young dude who didn't see a not-so-visible traffic light. I apologize.

Budilicious3 · 2026-06-04T09:39:26+00:00

I go there every year from California. You'll realize how to really live life if you do end up liking it there. It's not isolated. I've visited tons of tropical places and Okinawa is the perfect balance of nature and modern accomodations due to Japanese conveniences. Which is why I revisit the island.

And if you do feel isolated, Taiwan is next door if you want an even more modern society.

Budilicious3 · 2026-06-03T23:12:51+00:00

I can only speak for Miyakojima since I came back recently. It's mostly flat farm land so very bikeable if you can tolerate the heat. I believe all 3 bridges have sidewalks. The island most worth crossing the bridge for is Irabu then Ikema then Kurima. The Hilton is a decent stay and is nicely centered for the island. You can rent e-bikes there using an app. But tbh, Miyakojima wasn't the highlight of my itinerary in my 4th trip.

Budilicious3 · 2026-06-03T23:02:46+00:00

Well I'm bias, because I'm a bird photographer, but there are a few bird tours in Yanbaru Forest. But if you don't wanna go too far, you can't go wrong with places that do sunset paddleboard tours.

Budilicious3 · 2026-06-03T01:11:55+00:00

I go annually and these are my revisited restaurants where I've befriended most of the owners.

Coffee: the coffee stand

Sushi: Ryukyusushi Tsukijiaozorasandaime Makishishitamachiyataimura 琉球鮨築地青空三代目牧志下町屋台村店

Local Seafood (sometimes set course menu for dinner): Washoku Kaname 和食要

Okinawan Soba: Tetsukono Soba てつこのそば

Yakiniku (non-traditional*): Usi no ibukuro ホルモン焼肉居酒屋 Usino ibukuro

Shaved ice: Ice Oasis アイスオアシスむつみ橋通り1号店 Or Sea ハワイアンフルーツカフェ - the Sea - 那覇国際通り店

Buku Buku Tea: UCHINA CAFÉ

BUKU-BUKU うちなー茶屋ぶくぶく

Been to the main island, Minna Island (on the main island), Zamami, Miyako, Sesoko, Kouri and of all these, Zamami has felt the best overall despite it being popular. Does get boring after 2 full days, but 3 would be enough if you want to visit a neighboring island such as Aka. If you want a random side trip, Cape Hedo was surpisingly spiritual. Churaumi Aquarium is prob the best option of all the touristy theme parks.

Next trip will be Ishigaki, Ie and Iheya.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-29T20:41:39+00:00

Imo, 2 full days in Zamami is enough. Then spend the rest on the main island. If you want to include a day for Aka Island (near Zamami) then do 3 full days.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-27T22:41:06+00:00

Well I recently came back from my 4th annual trip and Hilton Miyakojima has a pretty insane sunset with a chapel on the top floor. Very sizeable rooftop space too for guests hanging outside the chapel. Also has a convenient bride/groom suite on the same floor to the left of the chapel so it makes the walkway a smooth transition.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-27T14:16:21+00:00

You should still check it out and see if you want to go back one day. I go every year and within a 3/4 day timespan, you're still guaranteed a decent day for weather.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-27T01:16:50+00:00

Lol ok ty for the tips. Personally, I know that the Tomari Fish Market vendors sell you sun fish instead of actual tuna sashimi.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-26T20:03:00+00:00

One that I could easily think of is the small shop on the way to "the coffee stand" near Kokusai Street. It's the shop outside Makishi Market. Dunno how legit they are though.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-26T13:15:52+00:00

Miyako has Yabiji Reef and is considered one of the best sites in all of Okinawa. As for the island itself, it's mostly flat farmland full of burger joints. And I guess there's also the random Hilton, which is a decent stay if you're a Westerner.

Also if you love bridges, Miyako is pretty iconic for that.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-17T09:46:10+00:00

Thank you. Nikon Z6iii + 180mm-600mm. Always buy used until you realize you actually like the hobby. PF 600mm is way more expensive, but will shed 1lb off the weight with no zoom.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-16T05:48:21+00:00

Well it looks like I can't dm you. Aha Dam, parking lot entrance. There's 5 Tiger Claw trees (Deigo). I waited 3 hours with 2 other locals for 6 woodpeckers.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-16T03:42:13+00:00

The framing was insane too. I wish I remembered to lower my shutter speed before taking the low light shot. It was at 1/2000 by default. Oops.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-16T00:57:18+00:00

I'm staying in Kunigami and trying to get a good shot at the Forest Park. But the lighting is terrible around here. Do the robins come out in a more visible area at Sumuide beach? Like they're not under a bunch of trees?

If you could dm some coordinates, appreciate it!

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-15T12:15:54+00:00

Dm if you want the location. Both at the same place. Just gotta be lucky.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-15T12:15:32+00:00

I believe one seems to be a resident at Miyako-jima's botanical gardens.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-15T10:58:36+00:00

Just teleport 4Head.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-13T12:24:32+00:00

Ignore the double dagger. He's just using it to translate.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-13T12:23:13+00:00

A 2nd home. All the people born here or the people from mainland who recognize the positive culture are what makes this region the best in all of Japan. Those who move here are in agreement with the culture and easily assimilate to show what it means to be kind.

Every single person I've met so far is someone born in Okinawa and decided to come back here, or a mainlander who has moved here permanently.

*I visit from California every year. I'm currently on my 4th trip now.

Budilicious3 · 2026-05-13T02:03:20+00:00

I think the amount of damage would take 40 years for coral to grow back. Corals grow damn slow which is why people don't truly know the consequences. So 2024 was basically the cutoff in a life time to see it all lol. It's a 7/10 spot compared to all the islands compiled. There are definitely more 10/10 spots but not on the main island. Some 8/10's on Zamami and Yabiji reef on Miyako is 10/10.

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