Okinawa, Shuri Castle and the American Village, 12-26-2012

On our first day in Okinawa we went to the Shuri castle. It is quite different from most Japanese castles, looks much more Chinese. We also wandered around the little parks and came across these interesting ducks (black, white and red). We also found acerola soft ice cream (as well as potato, mango, pineapple). Acerola juice is Jacob's favorite thing in Japan - it's a South American berry, looks like a cranberry but grows on a tree, and it has a lot of vitamin c. I've never seen it in ice cream, just juice, soda and hard candy. So I had some (for Jake of course). Not quite as good as the juice.

We stumbled on a great place for lunch that served Okinawan noodles. Very different and delicious. The meat (pork) was smoked - you don't find real smoked things in Japan - and it gave the soup a smoky flavor. And the noodles were handmade. They seemed like Chinese/Japanese ramen noodles in that I think they contained egg, but they were thicker and softer but chewier at the same time. Really good. But even better was the setting. There are VERY few outdoor eating spots in Japan. As well as indoor tables there were tables set up along the edge of this old house (probably) facing into the garden. It was so relaxing and nice to be sitting there in the warmth (light jacket temp).

We returned to the bus terminal and got on another bus headed out to the American Village - north. I was hoping to find American groceries and pants but no luck. I wouldn't recommend wasting the time (about an hour each way) or the money ($15 round trip) going there. Just a lot of little shops and restaurants. But since we were there... we went to A&W for dinner! Such a good hamburger!!!! And of course rootbeer, threw in some onion rings as well - it's been a long time!

breakfast, DELICIOUS tofu dish