Last Updated on January 5, 2026
Escaping Winter to Okinawa
One day in February, our family finally had a day off together, so we went to Okinawa, in southern Japan, for a warm winter getaway. Okinawa is less than a three-hour flight from Tokyo, and We’ve visited many times before. So this time, we decided to do less sightseeing and let each family member spend their time as they wished.
Naha Airport is filled with beautiful orchids that greet arriving visitors. Okinawa has a subtropical climate, and the high humidity gives a slightly warm, muggy feeling that really makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Okinawa.
This time, we decided to challenge ourselves to travel with as little luggage as possible, so we came with only backpacks. This meant we didn’t need to go to baggage claim and could leave the airport quickly.
From the airport, you can take a taxi, a bus, or the monorail. Those who rented a car can use a shuttle service. We took a taxi to our accommodation, dropped off our bags, and headed out for dinner to enjoy some delicious Okinawa soba.
Tasting Local Flavors
Okinawa soba is different from Japanese soba, as it is made from wheat flour and has a unique texture. The broth is made from bonito and pork, and it’s topped with sweetly simmered meat and kelp.
We’ve visited this restaurant many times and knew that their Okinawa soba and other local dishes are delicious. However, Okinawa soba can vary in quality, so I recommend checking the restaurant in advance.
After dinner, we went to a supermarket to buy some local sweets and enjoyed them leisurely back in our room.
Our room had a kitchen, and a welcome tea was prepared for us. It was a blue butterfly pea tea blended with Okinawan herbs, and thanks to this thoughtful touch, we were able to relax completely.
Okinawa was once under American administration, so various aspects of life show American influences. The chocolate cake in the photo, called “German Cake,” was created by an American named Mr. German. Topped with a coconut filling, it’s a well-known sweet treat in Okinawa.
The next morning, we prepared a simple breakfast ourselves and enjoyed a delightful time, almost as if we were living there. Getting away from everyday life and changing the scenery is an incredibly exciting experience.
Stylish Hotel Boutique
After that, I took a bus to DFS Galleria Okinawa and rented a car there. I did a bit of window shopping and enjoyed the atmosphere before stopping by The Naha Terrace, a nearby hotel.
I had visited this hotel before for a wedding, but this time I came because it often appeared in the blog of a certain woman who inspired me to start my own. I wanted to experience it for myself. The woman is featured on the “About Us” page, so feel free to take a look if you like.
It was February, but Okinawa was warm and surrounded by greenery and flowers, reminding us of early summer. This shop houses a long-established import select shop from Okinawa called Roger’s, and features a carefully selected range of stylish Okinawan products. There were also foods that looked enjoyable to take home, but I headed straight to our main destination—the tea lounge.
It seemed I had entered from the back of the hotel, so I had to walk through a corridor, but the hotel was so lovely that I enjoyed exploring it.
The pool came into view. When I looked back, the lush greenery and flowers were reflected on the water’s surface, and I found myself gazing at it in admiration.
In summer, it must be a lovely place to spend pool time under the parasols.
Morning Tea Delight
I finally took my seats in the tea lounge, Living Room Maroad, and chose a Chestnut Mille-Feuille from the many tempting options. Also, dressed in winter clothes and feeling a bit warm in the sunshine, I decided to order an iced tea.
Since it was a weekday in winter, the tea lounge was quiet and perfect for relaxing. It felt just like a living room. With beautifully crafted, hotel-made sweets and fragrant iced tea in such a lovely setting, I knew I would love to visit again.
On the way back, I bought some hotel-made savories and cookies, picked up lunch near our accommodation. And then returned to the room.
Local Takeout Lunch
Local Takeout LunchI grabbed lunch to go at a local place called Pizza House Jr. Pizza House isn’t a pizza-only restaurant. But it became popular with Americans after adding “pizza” to its name during the pizza boom at the time. The “Jr.” line is a more casual concept and can often be found in shopping malls in Okinawa.
This time, I ordered Cantonese-style fried chicken, Texas-style beef stew, and tacos.
It was my first time visiting this restaurant. And everything had flavors I don’t usually get to try—it was all very delicious. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside. And I felt the Texas-style beef stew had a lot of tomatoes in it.
Okinawa has many taco shops, but the taco shells here were exceptionally thin. The tacos were also packed with vegetables, and I finished them in no time. Although I’ve visited Okinawa many times, discovering this new flavor made for a very enjoyable lunch.
Unfortunately, the shop I visited seems to have already closed, but I’ve left some additional information.
Continue reading the next part below!
Restaurant Info
Okinawa soba – ¥800 (approx. $5.1 / €4.3)
– Minoya
Taco (1 piece) – ¥300 (approx. $1.9 / €1.6)
– Pizza House Jr. English website
Living Room Maroad
Price:
Cake set – ¥1300 (approx. $8.3 / €7.1)
All info is current as of my visit.
