[Okinawa Cycling] From Naha to Ojima! A 22-degree southerly wind and a women's soccer match - a trip around "sustainable Okinawa" that you won't see by car
What comes to mind when you hear "Okinawa tourism"? Rent a car, head north on National Route 58, and head to the Churaumi Aquarium. Of course, that's the classic way to enjoy it. But if you want to experience "the breath of Okinawa that no one has seen yet," there's only one option.
By bicycle, head south.
This time, we bring you a blog on a day's cycling trip to Ojima, a sacred place in southern Okinawa, based at the E-Charity Naha bicycle rental shop on Kokusai Street. We'll cover the pleasant February breeze, the heated match we happened upon, and the "true Okinawa" that we were able to discover thanks to cycling.
February in Okinawa is the "golden season" for cycling
The starting point for this trip is the "E-Charity Naha Store" located in downtown Naha. From here, we will head straight for Ojima Island in Nanjo City by road bike. We recommend that you check the recommended courses and latest information from the staff before setting off ! After receiving all the information, it's time to get started.
Okinawa in February. While it's still the season when coats are essential in Tokyo and Osaka, the temperature in Naha on this day was a staggering 22°C . And fortunately, the wind was calm. For a cyclist, the conditions couldn't be more perfect.
The first thing I noticed as soon as I started riding was the difference in air density. The humid yet refreshing southerly breeze seeped in through the gaps in my helmet and caressed my skin. It was at that moment that I was convinced that winter in Okinawa is the best season for cycling.
Escape the hustle and bustle of Naha and experience the scenery change to greenery
The area around Kokusai Street in the center of Naha City is, as you'd expect, urban. There are many traffic lights and it's bustling with tourists and cars. However, as you pedal south from there, the course changes dramatically.
As the buildings gradually get shorter and the sky feels wider, the number of traffic lights that were so numerous starts to decrease one by one. In proportion to this, plants that are typical of Okinawa start to appear on the roadside.
The roots of the banyan tree growing powerfully from the cracks in the concrete, the bright pink bougainvillea, and the plants that carry an exotic scent... You get the feeling, "Ah, I'm now in the heart of Okinawa's rich nature ." This is a luxury that can only be experienced from a first-class seat traveling at 20km/h, and can never be experienced through the window of a rental car traveling by at 60km/h.
A chance encounter: Feeling the passion of FC Ryukyu Sakura
On our way to the south, we heard lively sounds coming from a certain field. We stopped to take a look and saw that a women's soccer match was taking place.
The team's name is "FC Ryukyu Sakura."
This is a passionate team aiming to join the Nadeshiko League from Okinawa. The great thing about cycling is that you can make new encounters in unexpected places like this. Although it wasn't originally planned, I decided to get off my bike for a while and watch the game.
The sound of the players running across the pitch and crashing into each other. The warm applause of the local families and fans cheering them on. There, I experienced the real "daily life and challenges of Okinawa" that you won't find in tourist guidebooks.
The cherry blossoms of Okinawa that I saw nearby "Kanhizakura" (Winter cherry blossom) . This flower is known as the first cherry blossom to bloom in Japan. With our team name also containing the word "Sakura," we felt like we had met with fate.
The blue of the sea leaves me speechless
As we continued on towards the Nanjo City area , the sea finally opened up on our left. What greeted us there was a beautiful blue that is hard to describe.
The emerald green shallows that sparkle as they reflect the sunlight fade to a deep cobalt blue towards the horizon. The ocean in Okinawa changes its appearance depending on the angle and time of day, but when you cycle along the coastline, the gradations flow seamlessly like a film.
"It's beautiful..."
I couldn't help but mutter to myself. The best thing about cycling on this scenic course is that there's no engine noise. The only background music is the sound of the waves, the birds, and your own breathing. This sense of immersion is the true joy of cycling in Okinawa.
Arrival at Ojima and the unexpected outcome
After about an hour's road bike ride from Naha, I arrived at Ojima, a small island about 1.6km in circumference, just as I was starting to feel a slight yet pleasant fatigue.
The purpose of most visitors to this island is to try the exquisite Okinawan cuisine spot, "Okinawa Tempura." As I crossed the bridge leading to the island and the smell of the sea became stronger, I was convinced: "I'm going to munch on some freshly fried fish and squid tempura while looking out at the sea."
However, when I stood in front of the tempura restaurant I was heading for, I was shocked by the sign I saw.
"Closed on today"
For a moment, my thoughts stopped. "You've got to be kidding me..." I thought. Just when I thought the course was perfect, blessed with perfect February weather (22 degrees Celsius), and enjoying the stunning scenery, this was the punch line.
The fun of traveling is that even failures stay in your mind
Normally, I would be disappointed, thinking, "I've just cycled for an hour!" However, when I got off my bike and sat down on the coast of Ojima, strangely, I had no regrets.
Although I wasn't able to eat the tempura, I was impressed by the flowers I saw on the way here, the small alleyway flowers whose names I don't even know; the locals who bowed to me when our eyes met while waiting at a traffic light; the brave figures of the FC Ryukyu Sakura players; and the Okinawan breeze that I felt on my whole body.
I realized that all of these were ``treasures'' that I would have missed if I had just driven by car and gone straight to my destination.
Gazing out at the tranquil sea of Ojima, you can smile and think, "Now I have a reason to come back again." Bicycles give you that kind of peace of mind.
Why bicycles in Okinawa now?
What I felt strongly throughout this trip was that cycling is the ultimate form of "eco-friendly and sustainable travel."
Okinawa is currently facing issues such as overtourism and traffic congestion, but bicycle travel, which doesn't use gasoline or emit exhaust fumes and travels while respecting the small shops and scenery along the way, is an extremely positive option for the future of tourism in Okinawa.
If you ride a road bike, it takes about an hour to get from Naha to the southern part of the island. It feels like just a short trip, but it takes you to a completely different world. Cycling allows you to experience with all five senses the "Okinawa-ness" that you would miss if you were traveling by bus or car.
Conclusion: Visit Okinawa to see things you can only see by bicycle
On the way back to Naha, I was convinced that if you come to Okinawa, you should ride a bicycle at least once, as I watched the ocean begin to take on a slightly more vibrant sunset than on the way there.
Even if you don't get to eat the tempura you were aiming for, the little discoveries you'll find along the way will make your trip many times more enjoyable.
The e-Charity Naha store stocks e-bikes that are easy for beginners to use, as well as full-fledged road bikes like the one I used this time. Check the official website for the latest rental information, and on your next trip to Okinawa, why not set aside just one day to put away your rental car keys?
The traffic lights disappear, the greenery grows, and the sound of the wind gets louder. Beyond that lies a place that is sure to be your own "unforgettable Okinawa."
