Japan Summer 2025 – Part 3: Okinawa

I’m not usually a beach person, but this summer we took a trip to Okinawa at my mom’s request. It turned into a special three-generation family trip, especially meaningful since she had gone through major surgery earlier this year.

We started in Miyako Island, famous for its turquoise waters. Our snorkel and paddle boat tour was canceled due to high waves, but we still had the thrill of jet skiing and even caught a glimpse of a sea turtle.

Getting to Okinawa Island wasn’t easy—our flight was canceled with a typhoon on the way—but we managed to make it, phew! The main event was Junglia, which had just opened. The heat, humidity, sudden squalls, and long lines made it tough, so I only snapped one photo. Still, what stood out the most was the staff’s incredible hospitality. At the entrance, a woman greeted us with the biggest smile and wave. We kept walking, but even 50 meters later my daughter whispered, “She’s still waving.” Sure enough, she was. Another 30 meters on, we turned back again—and she was still waving! It became a funny little memory for us, and now my kids and I share this two-handed, big-smile wave as our own inside joke.

Here’s a short video from Okinawa, with all the beautiful blue ocean and tropical scenery: