Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Did you know that Okinawa's Churaumi Aquarium is the 2nd largest aquarium in the world??? (1st would be Georgia's aquarium) I thought the aquarium in Osaka was big with its one whale shark, but Okinawa has 3 sharks, many giant sting rays, and tons of other fish all in one gigantic tank. Cool!

I think we spent as much time on the aquarium grounds (Expo Park) than we did looking at all the tanks. Expo park is huge and all the plants/flowers are related to sea creatures.

Even though the day we went was cloudy and very windy, we braved the foul weather to watch the dolphin show outside. Sure, it can't be compared to a performance at SeaWorld, but it's still funny and entertaining!

MY FAVORITE!!!

I have no idea what exactly these worm creatures are, but they fascinated me!!!

They gave me a bit of the willies though, b/c they:

First, kind of reminded me of Beatlejuice and

Second, kind of reminded me of those darn kite blowy things that wig me out

But these things were just DARN weird and I loved it!!!

Nago's Pineapple Park

One of our first stops on the many day trips we had in Okinawa was at Nago's Pineapple Park. It was cute! You get to ride around in a little (sort of dorky) pineapple cart while it drives you around the park, shop, you get to taste all the different pineapple wines/juices, shop, and you get to eat as much pineapple fruit as your tummy can handle. Did I mention the shopping!?!
Since Okinawa is such a lush island, pineapples grow wonderfully here.

I bought a big bottle of pineapple wine here myself, so the next hang-out/movie night...we'll all have a sweet treat! ;)

Okinawa!!!

We're Back !!!

6 days down south with 4 full days to travel and explore the lush island of Okinawa! Renting a car is a MUST and with it we saw a good part of the island. From the northern shores with its ruins and tropical foliage to the southern shores with it castles and rocky beaches...it was a lovely trip!!! Though it was a bit strange having all the random foreigners around due to many US bases in the area, it was nice to have some good ol' comfort food. Mmm! Meatloaf and fried green tomatoes or steak with mashed potatoes and A1 sauce. Mmm! Yet, the portions were huge to accommodate the Western population, something I'm not use too after eating in Japan for two years. So, the food in Okinawa was a rare treat!It was also fun to watch WESTERN TV -- waking up to Good Morning America or The View and chillin' in the afternoon to watch Access Hollywood as well as finding Cheetos in the combini and buying A&W root beer floats. The best would be watching your non-American friend taste root beer for the first time! hehe

As for the dogs! These are called Shisa (Shi-Shi).

A very common piece of Okinawan pottery is a figure called Shisa. It was introduced to Okinawa from China during the Ryukyu Kingdom era in 14th and 15th century. The shisa has a long tradition of being a guardian of Okinawan houses. People in Okinawa display their Shisa is two ways:

1) According to local custom, Shisa is placed on the roof of the building. Depending of the direction they look, they have different purposes. When Shisa faces northeast, it is said to protect the house from stormy winds. When it faces south, it protects the house from fire.

2) Although the original Shisa is on the roof, these days they are often seen standing on pillars on both sides of the gate to the house. They guard the entrance as a symbol of authority, protecting it from any harm. When a Shisa couple is displayed one always has its mouth open -- that's considered the female -- and the other has its mouth closed -- the male.

Freaked out by the worm floating in that bottle of mescal tequila?
Then you’re probably too squeamish for the snake coiled up in a bottle of Okinawa awamori.
And that’s a shame, for there’s nothing better for what ails you than a shot of habu sake. This drink comes to Okinawa from China, where the snake is known for its medicinal properties. Historically, the Okinawan people believed it gave them strong stamina. Did you know that the habu snake can survive for 450 days on water alone? Habu sake is said to be good for back problems and arthritis. It is said to take the poisons out of the body. The recipe for habu sake is believed to have come from China centuries ago when present-day Okinawa was known as the independent Ryukyu Kingdom. The recipe mixes 13 herbs and spices with a rice liquor that Okinawa’s poisonous habu snakes have been soaked in. Some of the herbs, such as ginseng, turmeric, hibiscus and fennel, have been used in Chinese herbal remedies for centuries. The habu snake’s body has 19 amino acids said to be beneficial to humans. Its poison dissolves in alcohol and poses no risk. The name “habu sake” is actually a misnomer. It isn’t sake at all; it’s awamori, a stronger liquor created through a distilling process of rice. Awamori is a clear liquor that has been aged. The longer the aging, the smoother the taste and the more potent the alcohol content. Habu sake, because of the herbs and honey that some producers add, is a yellowish color. And, of course, the more expensive bottles come with the snake inside.

HODARE Festival

This last weekend, we went to the HODARE festival in Tochio. It was VERY snowy, VERY VERY cold, and VERY VERY VERY wet. But we put up with 3 hours in the bad weather for a chance to ride the biggest HODARE in Japan!

HODARE festival is a very unique festival in Japan.

It is held each year at Shimoraiden on the second Sunday of March. Shimoraiden is a village of Tochio area in Nagaoka City. In Tochio, there are many Buddhist stone images. Originally, the main symbol of the HODARE fesival -- a wooden penis, 2.2m in length, and weighing 600kg -- was made of stone. This symbol had special religious significance for many people who believe that praying to or touching the symbol would ensure a good marriage, fertility, or good fortune.

Today, it is the biggest of its kind in Japan.

The HODARE symbol usually rests in a shrine located next to an 800-year-old ceder tree. During the festival, a large ceremonial rope weighing 200kg is tied around the tree. It takes about 25 men to assist in this task.

The ceremony begins at 11am. At this time, many people place strings of special beads in front of the HODARE symbol. This is followed by hopeful mothers-to-be who pray for a happy home-life and healthy babies. The symbol is then carried from its usual resting place to the street and paced on to a portable shrine. Some women climb on to it, and are carried around he streets of Shimoraiden.

The festival is said to have its origins from before the Edo era. In those days on the day of the festival, the young villagers would gather in the open space before the Buddhist statue and then carry the stone penis and large worry beads around the village accompanied by conch shells and 'taiko' drum players. It was thought that if they stopped, misfortune would descend upon them.

Hodare in English is 'male genitals', but if the characters are written in hiragana, the meaning then becomes 'the ripening of rice plants'.

At this years festival, they had 'lucky mochi' making and a stall selling Tochio's famous Jumbo Aburage, Tamari, souvenirs and more.

There was also a stall selling delicious local sake (which was good!), sweet drinks, and 'kajuka' fish sake. Congrats to Pam who had to nerve to try it!For the girls who went...

I will always cherish the memory of trying not to laugh when those

two drunk elderly guys yelled "Symbol....Panis!" at us!

Nice! :)

Plus, I will always cringe when I remember us getting into my car the night before

and the surprise we saw then.