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Famous and Loved in Okinawa
Kyushu RailwayA long time ago, I wrote about how I must have a doppelganger in Fukuoka. But then I went to Okinawa and learned that I must have a doppelganger in Okinawa, too. Conclusion: It is confirmed that I have a doppelganger or two in Kyushu.
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Snaking around Shuri Castle
The first time I went to Shuri Castle, I was exhausted. While Yui Rail has a stop at Shuri Station, it’s not in front of Shuri Castle. You need to walk a bit from the stop. I thought I had it all figured out until I had to hike.
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What I Didn’t Buy in Okinawa
What comes to mind when Okinawa is brought up? Is it beaches? Hot weather? Island life? Or shisas? I bet it’s all of the above with an emphasis on the shisas. I say this because you can not be in Okinawa without encountering shisas. What are shisas? They’re basically cute “lion dog” statues that come in a variety of sizes. Some are huge; others are tiny. And the tiny ones make great gifts for yourself and others. So, did yours truly buy one?
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The Warmth of Okinawa
If it weren’t for Okinawa, my visit to Japan would have been a depressing one. Okinawa, while still a part of East Asia was different in that in general, the people were warm. When they smiled, it seemed genuine. While not everyone was all smiles, the majority of the people I encountered seemed friendly, open, less judgemental and welcoming. It was what I needed and wanted from a trip.
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Manko Waterbird and Wetland Center
I like free so when I learned that I could visit the Manko Waterbird and Wetland Center for free, I went for it. The thing is that it required a bit of trekking, sidetracking and cautious crossing to get there. If you have a car, you can be there in a jiffy. If you’re going by the Yui Rail, it might take some time to get there, but it’s do-able, nonetheless.