Had a really nice sleep and woke up fresh. Me and my friend had breakfast in a fast food joint next to the tourist information center at Kokusai Street (literally translate, Kokusai is International). Wondered why it was named like that.
However, still we were too early. So, we decided to tour the area first. Almost all the shops in that area have early opening time, around 8 am, one could see the shop owners arranging stuffs and prepare for businesses. We went to the Makishi Public Market 牧志公設市場. One can buy the raw materials at the market and then go to the second floor to get it cooked. A bit like the market in Aomori where I had sashimi with rice 刺身丼.
Makishi Public Market 牧志公設市場
I think that the most special product in the market is the pig head! Or more accurately pig head skin, hahahah! The seller claimed that it was full of collagen, good for skin. I thought only the pig feet is full of collagen. My late grandparents loved pig feet cooked with sea cucumber, but I always felt that it was too soft, taste like jelly, but salty. It was so weird. But I like the sauce though! The sauce with rice is so tasty, I can eat 2 bowls of rice with that sauce alone!
meet the Mr. 猪哥
After the market tour, we walked around Kokusai Street. There is a very special shop that sells normal and flavoured salt from all over the world. They sell skin care products, cookies and ice cream made of salt too. The ice cream is quite special. My friend had the ice cream and there were bottles of flavourings, after each bite, my friend would pour the flavourings on the ice cream and tried all the flavours. It was funny though, when he was eating, a couple were filming their home video, first the wife took a bite and then she said "美味しい!" and her husband filmed it, then reverse. After that, they asked whether it was ok to film my friend, my friend agreed. So, they kinda like interview him, so funny! I think that it was a good way to preserve the memory. Normally, one can see that a lot of Japanese families filmed their outings, trips, etc.
Salt house 塩屋
salt from all over the world 世界の塩
the flavourings for the ice cream, just pour the desired salt on the ice cream after each bite.
Jump Station: very cute shop that sells anime themed stuffs
There were a lot of souvenirs shops in Kokusai Street. At first, quite excited to see all those interesting stuffs, however, after one or two shops, the interest waned. I bought a cake from Fukugiya, it was so delicious!
the tiles on the street of Kokusai Street
the tiles on the street of Kokusai Street
the famous shop for Okinawa sweets made from sweet potatoes
alcohol with snake as one of the ingredients
a cake shop, Fukugiya ふくぎや
Baum-Kuchen (very delicious!)
We waited until the tourist information center opened, and asked about the tug war. The officer told us that before the tug war, there would be a parade on 11 am. So, we watched the parade and had lunch in Charlie's Tacos, it was not bad, tastier than I thought.
Charlie's Tacos
Then, we went to the tug war, it was full of people. With my height, I could barely see anything at all. However, the atmosphere was very happening! Everybody were excited! After the tug of war, the outer layer of the rope was cut into pieces and everyone took a small piece to bring home for luck. After that, we waited until they cleared the rope. It was quite a feat to store the rest of the rope, cranes and lorries were used to transport the rope. Really an amazing logistic feat with a lot of cooperation among all those involved. http://justtopassthetime-cblife.blogspot.jp/2012/11/okinawa-4-days-trip-day-4-tug-of-war.html
Then, we shopped for more souvenirs in Kokusai Street before went to Stella Resort to check-in. Stella Resort was nicer compared to previous 2 hostels, but the light off time was very early, I think around 10 pm, the reception area and common area already all dark.
Stella Resort
After check-in, we had dinner in Sam's Sailor, a ship themed teppanyaki restaurant. It was nice. One can even opted to buy the special themed ceramic cups. The chef cooked the dishes in front of us with the hot plate on the table. The chef also did some stunts with the salt and pepper shakers. The food was delicious too! Especially the Ise Ebi 伊勢海老, it was so nice compared to the one I had before in another restaurant.
Sam's Sailor Inn
the delicious food in Sam's Sailor Inn!
The chef cooked our dishes in front of us!
Finished our last dinner in Okinawa with a smile! After that, went back to hostel and packed all the stuffs I have bought, had to go to the Rental Car Company first to return the car the early next day. After returned the car, the rental car side sent us to Naha Airport. We reached before 9 am, so had breakfast in A&W, already so long time no eat the onion ring, delicious! Since it was still too early, I had coffee instead of root beer. Ahhh, difficult to spot a A&W in Kyushu. Then, still not the time to board the flight, we shopped again, I bought a pair of coral earrings for my mother. Really broke this month!
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