Now that I think about it, I realize that I haven't written anything like a travelogue for that purchase, so I would like to write about my trip to Okinawa while tracing back my memories.
I went to Okinawa from June 3rd to 9th.
In fact, you can go to Okinawa in early June for about half the price of the peak time, as it is just before summer and during the rainy season. You can also go to Okinawa relatively cheaply from November to February.
Although I also wanted to go on a family trip, it was a thorough shopping trip that took me around Okinawa in a rental car for about a week.
I would like to introduce such a journey in chronological order.
Day 1 From Naha Airport to Chatan area
On the first day, you will leave Tokyo at noon and check in before evening. When you see Okinawa from the plane, you get excited.
The ramen sore signboard makes me take a picture every time.
Unfortunately, it rained on the first day. I think it rained about 2 days out of the week (some days were cloudy, so about half of the days were sunny, but there was no heavy rain)
I thought it would be best to choose a hotel near Yomitan Village, where there are many Okinawan potteries, but since I will be staying for three days, I don't want to compromise.
As I was researching this, I learned that there was a new hotel called La'gent Hotel Okinawa Chatan that was being built in the Chatan area near Yomitan Village, so I decided to go for it!
What did you have for lunch that day? I was so busy that I don't remember anything.
pottery komagata
After that, I went to potter Komagata's workshop.
Komagata's works are attractive with traditional materials (earth) and paintings.
But you may not have seen these overlapping dots very often. I felt that Mr. Komagata, who was able to finish the work very neatly, must have a polite personality.
You can view the works of Ceramic Art Komagata from here.
A little early dinner. At the roadside station near the hotel, you can choose your favorite fish and have it cooked for you. There, I ate a fish from Okinawa called bitaro that I had never seen or heard of before.
It looks like a Thai friend, and I had it sautéed with butter.
This was very delicious.
Day 3: Go shopping towards Yomitan village
The third day is sunny! On this day, I headed towards Yomitan village.
Toshin kiln
First, I visited Toshin Kiln.
It was a very large pottery, and many people worked there.
There is also a large climbing kiln, which is a sight to behold.
I also do molding and painting there, huh? Did you do this by hand? That's how much everyone finishes their work really neatly.
The works of Toshin Gama are attractive with Yachimun-like paintings and careful finishing, so I think those who are buying Yachimun for the first time can buy with confidence.
When you visit, you are in a gallery. There were a lot of wonderful pottery lined up.
Before Mr. Kuba of Minami Pottery Kiln started this work, he had the atmosphere of THE potter, the kind of person you would imagine when you think of a potter.
From the window, there are no tall buildings and you can see all the way to the sea.
While we chatted about things like ``I made this as a wedding gift,'' I took photos of the work.
It was a hot and humid day, and I remember well that the tea I received was delicious.
The last stop of the day was Nomo Pottery Manufacturing.
Nomo pottery factory
I had been interested in Nomo Pottery's work for a while, but I had never been able to meet it, so I finally went to see it.
I was shown the workshop and some of the pieces being baked, and then I placed my order.
All the works were wonderful, just as I expected.
You can view Nomo Pottery Seisakusho's works from here.
After passing through Naha, the streets of Okinawa have almost no tall buildings, and the scenery is truly pleasant.
Day 4: Heading north towards the Onna village area
On this day, we will head north from the Chatan area and enter the Onna Village area.
Tsuchinohi
The first place we stopped on the way was Tsuchinohi.
A gentle Tsuchinohi couple living in a home surrounded by nature. It was perfect for me to be able to make a pottery with such a rustic atmosphere.
Pitchers and lids are cute, aren't they?
After that, I stopped by mug-san's place.
mug
There is a workshop inside the market! It's in a place like this! I was surprised with.
You can feel the femininity in Yachimun's unique design and painting.
I thought that depending on the creator, the painting could be bold and easy-going and masculine, or it could be delicate and feminine with a touch of cuteness.
By the way, the muffin pictured in the background. It was surprisingly delicious!
On this day, I checked into a new hotel.
I visited Hotel Mahaina Wellness Resort Okinawa, and the pool was most attractive.
Let's play in the pool again.
Now that I think about it! I drank root beer for the first time that day.
What a surprise! It's like drinking a compress! The moment I drank it, I screamed, "It's a compress!"
It's a specialty of Okinawa, and people who like it seem to be hooked.
I've gotten used to it, but I couldn't drink it all.
Day 5 Refresh at Kouri Island
The view in the morning is also great! Energy injection.
I had planned this day as a backup day, but it went well, so I went sightseeing and drove back to Naha.
Now I thought about what to do and decided to go to Kouri Island.
I went there because it was said to be one of the most scenic spots on the main island, and this is the view you can see from this bridge.
