So Aaron and I spent a couple days touring Okinawa after RubyKaigi 2024 wrapped. In particular, we were both eager to escape the urban environments of Naha on the main island, so we hopped on the fastest ferry out of town, the Queen Zamami (whose reservation website evokes some real Angelfire nostalgia).

Once you get there, you probably want to rent a bike or an electronic scooter (referred to as kickboards here) to get around the island, because the island's a bit too large to comfortably walk around—especially on a warm day in direct sunlight. To the east and west are beautiful beaches—though we both preferred the tranquil blue waters of Furuzami beach. On every corner of the island, there sits an observation deck (希望台) atop the nearest mountain, and they offer some truly breathtaking views.

Speaking of, here are some of those views:

I also cut a quick one-minute video of the island, for your audiovisual enjoyment:

Anyway, if you're ever on Okinawa's main island, you really should save a day to ferry out and back to Zamami. Definitely worth seeing. 🏝️

I visited ステーキヒカル on May 20, 2024. I gave it a 3.9 on Tabelog.

I visited レストラン まるみ屋 on May 19, 2024. I gave it a 3.1 on Tabelog.

I visited ドミノピザ 前島店 on May 19, 2024. I gave it a 3.0 on Tabelog.

I visited 串かつとハイボール　コマネチ リバーサイド店 on May 19, 2024. I gave it a 3.6 on Tabelog.

I visited うらしま on May 18, 2024. I gave it a 3.2 on Tabelog.

I visited コージー ビーチ クラブ on May 18, 2024. I gave it a 3.3 on Tabelog.

I visited ポーたま 牧志市場店 on May 18, 2024. I gave it a 3.3 on Tabelog.

I visited ズートンズ 久茂地店 on May 18, 2024. I gave it a 3.5 on Tabelog.

I visited 糸ぐるま on May 18, 2024. I gave it a 3.7 on Tabelog.

Incidentally, Becky and I just visited Matsuyama for the first time a bit over a week ago, so I was surprised (and delighted!) when RubyKaigi's head organizer Akira Matsuda announced that next year's event will be held in Matsuyama from April 16-18, 2025.

If you've never been, Matsuyama resides in Ehime prefecture, which is on the island of Shikoku, just southwest of Japan's main island. It has one of the most cherished castles in the country atop a mountain at the center of the city and which is accessible by a continuously running cable car. It's also home to Dōgo onsen, which is considered to be the oldest hot springs bath in the country (and one of several inspirations for Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away). Additionally, it's famous for its massive and varied mikan (Japanese clementine oranges) crop—Becky and I got to sample a smattering of varieties from a store that had dozens of local citrus juices on tap, via cute little faucets.

Getting to Matsuyama isn't so bad either. From Osaka, it's about 3.5 hours by train, and a special rapid "Shiokaze" train service runs to Matsuyama from Okayama, making it an easy transfer from the Sanyo Shinkansen.

If you've ever wanted to visit a hot springs resort, or get a glimpse of daily life in a more remote Japanese city than the most well-known tourist destinations, I hope I'll see you next year!

[Translator's note: yama means mountain]

I visited SKY BAR AUGUST MOON on May 14, 2024. I gave it a 2.5 on Tabelog.

Had a surprisingly hard time finding a coin laundry in Okinawa this morning. First one I went to only had dryers, which was a first. 💨