Yoron island in Kagoshima Prefecture is the best resort place in clean sea water, much better than Okinawa, Ishigaki, Miyakojima.
It takes only 35-minute flight from Naha Airport, 2-hour in taking ferry from Motobu, Okinawa.
The best place in the island is Yurigahama, which is the land at a low tide during a limited period between spring and autumn. It takes 3000yen in round trip each person to go to the island by boat.
Gate to Yurigahama, 1.5 km from there. August,2020Yurigahama. August, 2020Yurigahama. August 2020Beach near Yoron Airport. August, 2020
If you arrive at Naha Okinawa airport, I will recommend you to eat in Fish restaurant “Uomaru” “魚まる”. This restaurant is within 5-minute walk from Akamine station, just one stop from airport station. The restaurant provide with fish set including raw fish “sashimi” around 1000yen.
Raw fish set in July, 2020Bony parts’ set in June 2020 大きな地図を表示
Shuri Soba Okinawa Noodle near Shuri castle is very popular not only for tourists but for locals. Even in July before Japanese summer vacation, many people visited this shop.
Okinawa noodle is the first choice. Most of visitors order “Jushi” rice with noodle.
Shuri Soba shop in July 2020Noodle Large size in 600yen. 500 yen set of Slimmered “NItsuke” and “Onigiri” rice 大きな地図を表示
Shirokuma shave ice with condensed milk is very popular in Kagoshima. Mujyaki in Tennmonkan area is the first choice. However several shops prepare for variety of Shirokuma ices.
Mujyaki in Tenmonkan. March 2020.Mujyaki in July 2020Mujyaki in March 2020.Yanagawa ice shop in TenmonkanSugaku Cafe in front of Kagoshima Municipal building
Most of visitor for Shuri castle are foreign tourists especially Chinese and Korean. By COVID-19 and bad relationship with Korea, almost visitors are Japanese or foreigners living in Japan. Tourists do not visit the park especially main buildings even though tourists can officially travel between prefectures since June 19, 2020. Probably they are not interested in burn-out castle in 2019.
Shuri Castle in June 2020Shuri Castle in July 2020Shuri castle park in June 2020Stone street near Shuri castle park in July 2020Shuri castle in July 2020
Japanese government has officially allowed tourists to travel between prefectures, fter June 19th, 2020. Even after this day, the half of shops in Kokusai street in Naha were closed because they have targeted foreign tourists especially Chinese tourists.
Most of flights to Haha has been full of Japanese passengers especially weekend. However, they stay in other area such as northern Okinawa without staying in Naha. Even Japanese tourists do not return to Naha any more, unless the shops in Kokusai focus on not only foreign tourist but Japanese.
Kokusai street, June 2020Kokusai street, July 2020Nouren Plaza shopping mall in June 2020.Breakfast in Hotel Sunpalace Kyuuyoukan
I stayed at Kirishima Kanko Hotel 4 times in March, May and June this year. This hotel relatively provides reasonable prices in Kirishima Hotspring compared with Kirishima Hotel and Kirishima Kokusai Hotel. Especially, staying in weekday between Monday and Thursday is much cheaper than in weekend. I paid 17,500 yen per night, in weekday price, for two, including dinner and breakfast.
This Hotel provides Japanese Kaiseki-style dinner and buffet breakfast. Breakfast is on average.
I recommend taking outdoor baths in Northern building rather than larger bathes in Central building.
Shochu, Japanese Sake. 1500yen for 1.5 hours per personApettizer of Dinner in JuneRaw fish, Sashimi, of Dinner in JuneShabuShabu of Dinner in JuneDinner in May. Dinner in May was much better than in March and June.Breakfast in May. For coronavirus pandemic, hotel didn’t provide buffet breakfast.