[Naha Cycling] Make your lunchtime in Naha the best time to experience Okinawa! A 3-hour eco-trip around Naha's hidden gems on a rental bicycle
When it comes to sightseeing in Okinawa, rental cars are the standard, but cycling is now gaining popularity among discerning travelers. Naha City, in particular, is dotted with narrow alleys, hilly roads, and hidden gems, making the maneuverable bicycle the best means of transportation.
This time, we'll be reporting on the best lunchtime cycling course we took together with staff member Jojo, based at the Naha branch of E-Charity , which offers environmentally friendly "eco-tourism" using reused bicycles!
1. Depart from E-Charity Naha store!
The weather was clear and the temperature was 20°C, perfect for short sleeves and a light jacket, perfect conditions for cycling.
We chose to rent electric bicycles from eCharity. With the power of an electric bike, we could easily navigate the hilly streets of Naha without breaking a sweat. Using a reused bicycle is a sustainable form of travel that conserves resources. It was the start of an earth-friendly journey where we would not emit carbon dioxide when we traveled.
2. The fantastic "Barringtonia racemosa" and the Gate of History
As soon as I started running, I passed a street lined with hanging flowers .
What is a Barringtonia racemosa? It is a tropical plant representative of Okinawa, also known as the "phantom flower." Its greatest feature is its ephemeral nature, blooming at night and scattering by morning . The sweet vanilla-like scent of the flowers, and the sight of them floating on the river's surface are mystical. You can't see the flowers during the day, but cycling through a tunnel of lush leaves is a very pleasant experience.
The flower language of the Barringtonia is " good luck is coming ." If you come to Okinawa, be sure to look for them.
Be amazed by the giant banyan tree at Sogenji Temple
Next, we visited Sogenji Temple, the national shrine of the former Ryukyu Kingdom. It was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa, and now only a beautiful stone gate remains, but the highlight here is undoubtedly the huge banyan tree . I have never seen such a beautiful temple site in Okinawa. My favorite is Sogenji Temple.
Once you pass through the gate, you'll see a gigantic tree that seems to cover the entire sky. Its intricately intertwined aerial roots give you a sense of the weight of history that has protected this place over the years. It's said that a spirit called "Kijimunna" resides in banyan trees, and seeing the tree's size, it's hard not to believe the legend. I stopped my bike and took a deep breath in the shade. I was fully recharged.
3. Okinawa is the holy land of tuna! Head to Tomari Iyumachi
Tomari Iyumachi, located near Naha Port , is a spot you definitely can't miss. When you think of Okinawa cuisine, Okinawa soba and goya chanpuru come to mind first, but did you know that tuna is also incredibly famous?
Why Okinawan tuna is so delicious
Okinawa boasts one of the largest tuna production volumes in Japan. Its greatest feature is that, because it is caught in nearby waters , "raw tuna that has never been frozen" is available in the market. Furthermore, when the fishing ban for bluefin tuna is lifted (usually between April and June), Okinawa becomes a tuna paradise! You can enjoy the finest, fatty "raw bluefin tuna" at a reasonable price that would be unthinkable on the mainland.
This time, I bought a sushi roll of tuna overflowing with ingredients at the Iyumachi Tuna Market. I took it and headed to the beach.
4. Lunch on the embankment and watching the man fishing
I ride my bike to the seaside embankment, where I can feel the refreshing sea breeze. Actually, this embankment is usually my fishing spot. I unroll the thick sushi roll I bought earlier at this scenic spot where few people come. Isn't this thick sushi roll of tuna for just 500 yen cheap? This price range is unique to Okinawa!
The tuna you eat while gazing at the blue sky and crystal clear sea is incredibly fresh and has a chewy texture. You truly feel as if you are receiving the blessings of Okinawa, a "blue zone" (region of healthy longevity), with your whole body.
While I was eating, I noticed an old man fishing nearby. "What did you catch?" I asked, and he revealed a magnificent black porgy in his bucket! "I'm on a roll today," he said with a smile. These kinds of casual interactions with local people are the true joy of renting a bicycle, something you can't experience by bus or rental car.
5. Experience Okinawa's "prayer" and history at Amekugu Shrine
Next, we headed to Amekugu Shrine , a prestigious shrine that is one of the eight Ryukyu shrines and is located on a hill overlooking Naha Tomari Port.
The Charm of Amekugu Shrine and Its Culture of Prayer Okinawa has a culture of nature worship centered around its unique "Utaki" (sacred shrines) that dates back to before Buddhism and Shinto were introduced to the country. Ameku Shrine also has a cave (gama) beneath the main shrine building, where traces of ancient faith can be seen. Even today, Okinawans quietly offer prayers at such sacred places, praying for turning points in life and peace in their daily lives. The tranquil and spiritual atmosphere sets it apart from the glamour of tourist destinations. It is a place that leaves you with a sense of calm, as if you have touched the "roots of the Okinawan heart."
There is also a foreign cemetery nearby, where you can get a sense of the multi-layered international history of the city of Naha.
6. Once a week coffee garden: a blissful coffee time
After a little exercise and a settled stomach, we walked up the hill to the hidden cafe "Once a week coffee Garden."
This lovely cafe was renovated from an old building that opened about a year ago. If the weather is nice this time of year, I definitely recommend sitting outside! Enjoying cafe time in the well-maintained garden with a great view of the harbor is the best!
I took a breather, surrounded by the aroma of roasting coffee wafting through the store.
・My choice: Hot coffee. A clear taste that lets you really taste the individuality of the beans.
・Jojo's choice: Seasonal cinnamon roll & cafe latte.
The cinnamon rolls are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The spicy aroma is a perfect match with the sweetness of the milk in the cafe latte. This season's cinnamon rolls are topped with strawberry sauce, which makes them look even more delicious!
Why does stopping at a cafe during a bicycle trip feel so luxurious?
7. A surprise on the way home! The teachings of Okinawan zenzai
On the way back to the E-Charity Naha store, we passed by the famous Okinawan shop "Fujiya." Here, I taught the secret of "Okinawa Zenzai" to Jojo, who was with me .
"Jojo, did you know? When you order Zenzai in Okinawa, you get cold shaved ice instead of warm rice cakes!"
Jojo was surprised, saying, "What? It's ice!?" Okinawa Zenzai, made with plump, sweetly boiled red kidney beans topped with fluffy ice, is the perfect reward for cycling on a hot day. On this day, we only had the chance to take photos, but it is one of Okinawa's most recommended summer delicacies.
Conclusion: Rent a bicycle to enjoy Naha with all your senses
We returned safely to the E-Charity Naha store. Electrically assisted bicycles are a very powerful and comfortable means of transportation in Naha City.
・A scene of a small alley that you would pass by in a car.
・Stop and take a look at the historic banyan and cattail trees.
・Have a warm conversation with the locals.
・Zero exhaust gases make it an eco-friendly choice that protects Okinawa's beautiful ocean.
Traveling by bicycle in Okinawa is not just a means of transportation, but a rich activity in itself. It blends seamlessly into the city of Naha, is healthy, and sustainable.
You can easily make a reservation online at the E-Charity Naha store, which is super convenient! No license is required and the fees are reasonable, so anyone can easily use it. We offer not only electric assist bicycles, but also various plans and optional services.
On your next trip to Okinawa, why not try riding a bicycle instead of renting a car? There, you'll discover the "real Okinawa" that's not found in guidebooks.
