OKINAWA UNCOVERED: Cycling, Snorkeling, and Culture with Yuki Tanimura (EP-222)

OKINAWA UNCOVERED: Cycling, Snorkeling, and Culture with Yuki Tanimura (EP-222)

Okinawa is also popular for Japanese domestic people but also uh it’s getting popular for foreigners because it offers something completely different from other rest of part of Japan. The beaches are beautiful and the clean blue waters and white sand and the islands have the laidback island vibe that feels like a tropical escape. Welcome back to the 10 Adventures podcast. Today we’re talking with Yuki Tanamura, owner of an adventure travel company in the island of Okinawa, here to share why Okinawa should be on your bucket list. Hi Yuki, welcome to the show. Hi Richard, how are you doing? I’m doing great. I’m excited to talk about Okinawa today and and maybe to to start, Japan as a whole is so popular right now. Why do you hear from travelers about the reasons they’re drawn to to go to Japan and explore? The travelers uh coming to Japan are really, you know, drawn to Japan for so many reasons. First of all, the culture uh the culture of Japan is incredible rich and fascinating. uh from centuries old traditions like tea ceremonies and the temples to modern pop culture and fashion people really you know rave about the food sushi ramen noodles and the street snacks it’s all fresh and diverse and delicious so Japan itself are also very safe and incredibly clean which makes travelers around the country stress free so um everything works Well, the trains are punctual uh infraure is uh world class and the hospitality is amazing. It just make for smooth and unforgettable travel experiences. These are the reason why you know a lot of travelers especially from foreign countries come to Japan. I think one thing that’s interesting is when I when I talk to people who go to their first trip to Japan, almost everyone does the exact same trip going to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. However, when people have been to Japan a few times, you know, they always rave about the smaller, less visited places they’ve been to. And um I was wondering if if you can maybe share um the differences between the different parts of Japan. You know, as as westerners, we think of Japan as one big country, but as someone that lives there, you know, h how do you look at the different islands and parts of Japan? For the first travelers who come to Japan uh for the first time, they often to go to travel uh the main city like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. These are also fantastic and we call it golden root. But the beyond the golden route there are some some other um you know great aspects of Japan. So for example like uh the some the like the places like tohoku Hokkaido even like Okinawa where I was born and these are the all like uh the nature and also culture and even language could be different from male Japan. So these aspects of um you know really like local um perfectionures within Japan are quite um unique and um you know uh different from Japan which u makes definitely foreigners more fascinating to Japan. And at the same time um you can you know learn so many like histories and uh maybe like um nature and the culture because you know um whole places that you go uh especially like rural site is totally different aspect and totally different um background and the history. So those kind of things are really you know uh great part of um those areas. So I I highly recommend of course you go to token the other city areas but also some other part of Japan. Let’s talk a little bit about Okinawa where where you were born and and where you live now. Can you share what makes Okinawa such a popular and special destination? Okinawa is also popular for Japanese domestic people but also uh it’s getting popular for foreigners because it offers something completely different from other rest of part of Japan. The beaches are beautiful and the clean blue waters and white sand and the islands have the laidback island vibe that feels like a tropical escape. I have been to resort places in other countries such as like Puket uh in Thailand and se in Philippine and but the thing is whenever I go to those kind of resort islands in different countries, I I strongly believe that Okinawa is the number one for the you know transp transparency of oceans and uh beaches are so clean and everything is really you know fascinating and uh uh spectacular. So in terms of the culture, Okinawa is used to be a independent kingdom uh influenced by the Ryuku kingdom and other Asian cultures. So the food itself is totally different from mainland uh Japan and also the culture itself is also and even like language is different uh from uh mainland Japan. That’s why I think uh those kind things are the reason why a lot of travelers come to Okinawa. Uh I I didn’t realize all this and that that’s super interesting that it was a separate kingdom and the food’s quite different. How is the food? You know, what are some of the local specialties in Okinawa that you wouldn’t find in other parts of Japan? Like for example, if you go to Tokyo and Osaka, every place you go, you can find uh maybe like ramen noodles and tonkatu and sort of like Japanese like uh common food. But in Okinawa, you can see like Okinawa soba, which you can only have it in Okinawa. And also uh some other um ingredients ingredient ingredients that uh local people’s especially like living in Tokyo area or city side city side they don’t know but uh we use it and u these kind like things are really you know uh important and in um have a really great recipe of the food that we eat in every day uh in Okinawa and uh especially like uh as you may know that Okina A is one of the uh blue zone and the longevity and the life expectancy of uh uh people there is much longer than some other um prefectures in Japan. So uh I think not only like the place uh but also like the food itself is different and the healthier compared to others. That’s why I think uh people living in Okinawa live longer and have more like you know uh relaxed and peaceful culture there. So that makes uh really you know differentiated from the other part of uh Japan. You mentioned the blue zones and can you maybe explain a little bit of the background on what these blue zones are? Uh yeah. Um so bones are the places that people live long because of the food because of the culture and because of the you know lifestyle and uh Okina is one of the part of it and uh the reason behind and the reason why uh Okinawa is one of the bull zone is you know uh longevity comes from lifestyle factors um plant-based diet with lots of local vegetables strong community bonds regular uh cycle activity and deep sense of purpose known local as we call ikiguai and the people in Okinawa remain active well into their 80s and 90s and the visitors are really inspired by the way of life. So as a result uh you know um the life expectancy of Okinawa is much longer and longest actually among whole regions in Japan. You mentioned icky guy and I’ve heard that term a few times. I’ve seen books recently that you know I think it was like find your icky guy. What what is icky guy for people that don’t recognize the term icky guy? It’s really hard to explain but uh icky guy basically means purposeful living. So for example, if I have a guy, for example, if I want to do something really I feel like exciting and or I feel like um really like want to do something then that makes you know people more energetic. So like we in Okinawa we call it Iky guy and then this um kind of like uh theory is pretty like um important for um the people living longer because if we don’t have any purpose to living or like motivation to leave and even like um that definitely makes people less you know less active. So uh we call it ikiguai we have some something really like want to do and want to like eager to do or something. So we emphasize this and then this uh factor is actually has a lot of um reason why people uh can get you know live longer. I want to talk a little bit about kind of the adventurist aspect of of Okinawa, all the things a person can do. But before we go there, I want to know kind of what are some of some of the regular tourist sites to see? You know, are there are there aspects of Okinawa where just a regular tourist, you know, have to go see maybe it’s a certain temple or parts of a town? Um, you know, what do you hear from tourists that they just love seeing on Okinawa? Yeah. Uh I think one of the major sightseeing spot in Okinawa is I think uh Tur Aquarium uh which is actually biggest uh aquarium uh within Japan and a lot of visitors even like domestic uh Japanese travelers come to visit and uh I would say also Shi Castle it’s actually um was burned out um because of the fire I think uh like about like 10 years ago. Um and uh but the thing is we now um the castle itself has been rebuilt and uh still you can see a lot of you know history there and as I said um Okinawa was um I I mean was a kingdom and influenced by Chinese culture that reflects a lot of Chinese culture in the castle because the color of the castle is red which represents China and also a lot of you know uh artifacts um kind of like decoration uh alongside of the castle that you can I think you cannot find any anything like Shir Castle because it’s totally unique. So I strongly recommend you to go there. And I I want to move on now to the outdoor activities. Can you maybe share some of the highlights for people who like to spend time outside uh that they can do in Okinawa? Snorkeling and diving are very popular and also like the coral I mean uh the coral reefs are beautiful and for main marine life. So you can also go kayaking through the mangroves, hiking in the forest or enjoy beachside yoga. these kind of uh the activities that people usually do. Can you talk a little bit about the water temperature and and and you know you compared Okinawa to some you know huge tourism destinations. Is this a place where you can snorkel and swim in the ocean year round or are there certain times where the water is going to get cold? diving is totally fine for the uh whole year, but the snooking and maybe um some other um part of mar activities you can do up to end of November. uh only December and uh from December to around end of March uh you cannot do shinokilling all the things but uh mostly you can do uh through a year. Now, I want to talk about one of the the trips um of yours in Okinawa, and it’s it’s I’m always fascinated by trips that circumn a place that you see kind of all the perimeter, and you have a oneweek bike tour that circumnavigates Okinawa. Can you talk a little bit about what makes this uh tour uh so popular and some of the sites a person will see while doing it? I would say like the oneweek tour around Okinawa is amazing. Uh it because let you really access experiencing the diversity of the island and you cycle uh through coastal roots with the ocean views, pass through local villages and uh stop at scenic spots that most tourists don’t get to see. You also get a taste of the regional uh cuisine along the way. The tour is well supported uh with luggage transfer and great guides and so it’s accessible if you are not um hardcore cyclist. It’s the perfect balance of the adventure and comfort. And then what’s it like cycling in in Okinawa? I’ve cycled a little bit uh in other parts of Japan. Um, and the roads, you know, we could find really kind of trafficfree roads. Is that possible in Okinawa as an island that you can go on quiet roads where you’re not going to have cars whizzing by every two seconds? Yeah. Uh, actually like there are some traffic but not a lot lot of traffic like other cities like Tokyo and Osaka, those kind of cities. Um, cycling Okinawa is um surprisingly easy and uh enjoyable. Many of the roots are um along quiet coastal roads uh with little traffic. The roads are wellmaintained and the drivers are generally very respectful uh of cyclists. Plus the views are stunning. You’re riding along um Cowboy coastlines through the uh fields and also like you can see the sugar cane fields um in the tra also like traditional houses uh alongside of the cycling roads and it’s only one of the best ways to see the island at your own pace. in terms of, you know, when I’ve cycled along the coast in other parts of Japan, um I was just amazed by the beaches and it would be kind of like every hill you just look at this beach, which in North America or Europe, they they’d make postcards about it and there’s almost nobody on the beaches cuz there’s so many incredible beaches. Is it like that in Okinawa that you know as you ride you’ll pass these beautiful beaches and if you want you can park the bike and go for a swim at lunch or y you know is is is it like that? Yeah, it’s totally like that. Um because uh as you may know that you know of course like Okinawa is you know um really popular for tourists but the thing is you know compared to other destinations like Osaka and Tokyo uh there are less tourists that’s why I think people are less uh even like on the beach uh you can also uh relax uh on the beach and uh maybe like you know even like during the cycle uh cycling. Um you can stop by uh some of the you know uh peaceful beaches and then lie down a little bit and then take a rest and then go back to uh do cycling again. These kind of things are really common and uh yeah Okinawa is totally like you know um just you know relax and not lot of you know traffic and lot of you know people. Are there also options for ebiking? You know, I know ebikes are starting to become more conventional in other parts of the world, but is that also possible in Okinawa? Uh yes. Um we can offer some ebike tours. Uh also also we can have some options uh of like cross bike and road bike. Uh it depends on the your customers um you know uh preferences. But the thing is uh we you know um both provide uh the um the bicycles and uh you can choose um your options and uh ebikes are much easier and uh although you know um Okinawa is quite um not like uh up and down sort of you know rows rather you know more likely you know uh flat rows so that it’s really easy without ebike. But uh if you are not really you know um familiar with the cycling then you can definitely take a ebike uh and it’s much less power you need to ride the bicycle and of course you can you know enjoy the you know uh all the scenery of the Okinawa. So it’s I think for the especially like for the beginners and for the the pe for the those who those people who have um you know cycling for the first time then definitely I would recommend uh e ebike tour will be the one of the best options. Um in other parts of Japan one thing I’ve been surprised is you know most parts of the world English is is quite well spoken. In Japan, when you get away from the major, even in the major cities, English isn’t very well spoken. And I found that um guides often, you know, provide a bridge between, you know, me as a tourist and local culture and people in Okinawa. Is that still a case where there’s English isn’t widely spoken? Um or will people find that they can converse with locals? Uh you know, there’s lots of people speak English. So, it depends on where you’re going to go. Uh but um um especially like the main city um called the Naha city uh Naha city has a lot of population and lot of uh well uh English speaking guides there. So you you will not have any issues with the language barriers. But if you go really local like no really like upper north of Okinawa and some other really local side of Okinawa uh people less I mean there are less people who can speak English but uh as you may know that um Okinawa has American B military base so that um people are really familiar with the foreigners and the English speaking people so that uh you will not have a lot of difficulties to find uh some people who don’t speak English but uh sometimes if you don’t find uh any English speakers but um obviously uh you know Okinawa people are really warm and welcome um and their hospitality is amazing that’s why I think even though communication is hard but uh you know um people are really nice so don’t worry and you can just you know go ask them some questions Yeah, I think that’s one thing Japan is famous for, just random people are so kind and helpful and it really is a welcoming culture and society. Um, I want to get on the last part which is just around logistical issues. People are always worried, oh, how am I, you know, how am I going to get around? How do I get there? Um, how hard is it to get to Okinawa if someone is just wants to add, you know, four or five days onto a trip where they’re going to be in Osaka or or Tokyo? If you want to come to Okinawa, you need to have flights. Uh but the thing is it’s not that long flights. Uh rather it takes only two and a half hours. Especially like from um Tokyo to Okinawa only two and a half hours. And if you want to count from Osaka maybe two hours or maybe could be less. And uh also there are some international um airports which connect to Okinawa. uh such as Taiwan and uh Korea and uh um China and uh some other uh Asian countries they have direct flights from uh those countries to Okinawa. So if you come to stop by somewhere uh East Asian countries then definitely you know Okinawa is the you know connectable and uh also like people uh who come to Japan the ideal route or itinerary could be you know um going to the golden route you know arriving in Tokyo and then going to west part of Japan like Osaka and Kyoto and after that um to go to Okinawa. So you can see almost all part of uh Japan from the east to west and then south. So probably you can have you know really like great extension of um um the Japan as a really long trip and also you can see a lot of diversityities alongside of uh the tour. So people who come to Japan like for 10 days or some uh something then probably those kind of roots are recommended. But if you come to Okinawa for you know for Okinawa only then of course you can also enjoy uh to stay there for maybe like more than 5 days because as I said you know beach and beautiful beach and beautiful ocean you can just you know relax there and uh spend time uh with your family and bring your friends and then to have some fantastic time there maybe like 5 days or could be like one week will be the good uh days for staying. Yeah. Anyway, so uh Okina is another you know that difficult to come from uh even major city like Tokyo and then other parts of Japan in the summer they get very very hot. Is Okinawa the same the same that if you want a beach vacation, summer is great, but if you want to go and explore or go cycling, maybe maybe summer is is not the best time to go. Or or or when do you recommend people come to Okinawa? Uh I wouldn’t recommend April. Uh and um could be like October. Um because yeah uh as Richardson said yeah the even summer time in Okino is really hot and uh of course like if people feel like hot season then it’s I think um still okay but uh I think even like for me it’s totally hard to you know stay in the hot um days in the summer. So probably I would recommend April and October. Uh, Yuki, thank you for coming on the show and sharing all your knowledge of Okinawa. Uh, it really just sounds like an incredible uh, unique part of Japan that um, for people who have, you know, seen all the major sites, it seems like just a great place to go and enjoy some beach time, some culture, great Japanese food, great Okanawan food. Um, and I just want to say thanks for coming on the show and sharing all your all your knowledge. Yeah, thank you for the invitation. For everyone who’s listening, I’ll put some links into some of the places uh Yukisan mentioned uh in the show notes. And with that, thank you everybody for listening to this episode of the 10 Adventures podcast. We’ll be back next week to explore the world and hear about more epic adventures. Bye-bye. [Music] Start planning your own adventure by visiting us at 10adventures.com and listen to other episodes of the 10 adventures podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you find your podcasts. [Music]

In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we travel to Japan’s southernmost islands to explore Okinawa, a region known for its tropical beaches, rich cultural history, and unique longevity. Our guest is Yuki Tanimura, an Okinawan native and adventure guide, who shares why Okinawa should be on every traveler’s list, especially for those looking to explore Japan beyond the usual Tokyo-Kyoto route.
Yuki walks us through the natural wonders, historical roots, and wellness lifestyle that make Okinawa so special. He also introduces his company’s circumnavigation cycling tour, offers travel tips, and dives into the Blue Zone secrets of Okinawan food, ikigai (life purpose), and slow living.
Whether you’re a beach lover, cyclist, foodie, or cultural traveler, this episode reveals why Okinawa is Japan’s best-kept adventure secret.

To learn more, visit:

https://www.10adventures.com/tour/okinawa-4-day-e-bike-tour/
https://www.10adventures.com/tour/okinawa-cycling-tour/

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