After a long flight from the UK, we arrived at Narita as scheduled. Today, four days after our arrival, we set out on our trip to Okinawa.
Although I wasn’t sure if we had fully adjusted to the intense summer heat of Japan, at least we were free from jet lag. Although many travellers dive into activities right upon arrival in Japan, we needed a few days to unwind.
(Image by Fuji Nakama from Pixabay)
Our Round-Trip Flights to Okinawa
We arrived at Narita Airport around noon to catch our flight to Okinawa. Our flight, operated by “Vanilla Air,” departed at 3 PM, and as usual, we arrived early to explore the airport and have lunch there.
Our terminal was Terminal 3, requiring us to walk about ten minutes from Terminal 2 through a dedicated pathway. Terminal 3 at Narita Airport is mainly used by low-cost carriers (LCCs). A free shuttle bus was available, but considering the wait time, walking took almost the same amount of time. So, we decided to walk.
The route to Terminal 3 was easy to find, but despite the covered walkway, much of it was open to the air, and it was simply sweltering. Having been used to the cool British summers for years, walking along the nearly 30-degree pathway outside was quite a challenge.
Along the way, there were vending machines offering drinks at various points. It was so hot that I wanted to stop and grab a drink at each machine! I assume the vending machines were placed there as a heatstroke prevention measure for passengers, and I also thought it must be a profitable spot.
Arriving at Narita Airport Terminal 3
Terminal 3 had a food court with sushi, okonomiyaki, coffee, pasta, sweets, French fries, hamburgers, udon, steak bowls, rice and curry, Nagasaki-style noodles, and more. The shopping area also had a convenience store, souvenir shops, a drugstore, a bookstore, cafes, and lounges.
We each bought what we wanted to eat at the food court and, after that, wandered around to explore the area.
Our Flight to Okinawa
Our flight to Okinawa was with “Vanilla Air,” one of Japan’s low-cost carriers (LCCs), which is why it departed from Terminal 3. After checking in, we moved to the boarding gate.
The gate area was a clean but small waiting area with a few kiosks selling drinks and snacks. LCC flights don’t provide in-flight meals or drinks, so if you want refreshments, you can bring your own or purchase them onboard.
The flight itself was fine. As expected, there were many families with young children, and it was amusing to hear cheers from various seats as the plane took off. This was something I rarely encountered on international flights!
Arrival at Okinawa’s Airport, but …
After a roughly three-hour flight, we arrived at Naha Airport. However, since we had never flown with an LCC before, we were a bit confused.
Instead of the usual baggage carousel, our suitcases were lined up on the floor by staff. It reminded me of a trip to Spain, where we experienced a similar setup. Fortunately, our suitcases were placed in the front row, so we picked them up quickly.
As we stepped outside the terminal, we realized the area was fenced off, preventing us from leaving directly. We returned to the entrance to figure out what to do, and soon, others started gathering behind us, forming a line. Eventually, we realized that a shuttle bus would be coming, and we were at the front of the line, so we decided to wait there.
The bus arrived shortly, and we boarded. The LCC terminal resembled a converted warehouse, which I believe it actually was. From the bus, I saw cargo warehouses around the area, and it became clear that tourists like us might not be allowed to roam freely for safety reasons, hence the fencing.
After a few minutes, we arrived at the “real” Naha Airport, where we easily found our car rental desk.
Driving a Rental Car in Okinawa
At the rental car company, I presented my license as expected. Since I had a UK license, I obtained an international permit from the AA before leaving the UK.
The car we rented was a Honda “Vitz.” Although a smaller car would have been fine for just the three of us, it was the smallest available option when we booked. However, it was a comfortable vehicle. Japanese rental cars are clean and well-maintained, making for an enjoyable drive.
We left the rental car company at around 7 PM. In hindsight, had I researched travel deals earlier, we might have booked an earlier flight, arriving at the main Naha Airport directly.
Since I thought having a car would be more convenient for getting around in Okinawa, choosing a package that included a rental car turned out to be the right decision. Setting the car’s navigation system to our hotel’s address, we set off.
Though I sensed the ocean to our left, it was pitch dark, and I felt a bit uneasy. The one reassurance was that we were in Japan, so if we needed help, I could ask for assistance in Japanese. With two kids in tow, this was a reasonable concern. Although it was disappointing that we couldn’t enjoy the Okinawan scenery in the dark, I looked forward to the next day.
On the way, we spotted a Denny’s, a Japanese chain restaurant, and decided to stop for dinner. However, it was full, and the wait was long. So, we opted to buy food and drinks at a Lawson convenience store and headed to our hotel. Japan has many convenience stores, and in Okinawa, I noticed a lot of Lawson stores.
Arriving at the Okinawan Hotel
Guided by the car’s navigation, we arrived safely at our hotel. Although the parking lot was spacious, all the spots were taken, so we parked at the far end. Walking to the front desk left us drenched in sweat! The staff at the reception looked physically cool and unaffected by the heat, making me think they must be used to it.
Our room was spacious, with a section for beds and a tatami area, making it very comfortable. Although one futon was already laid out in the tatami area, we used the three beds.
We enjoyed our dinner with a small sense of accomplishment. Despite the darkness, we ventured outside to gaze at the hotel’s private beach. A few other guests were also strolling around. Watching the enchanting moon reflected on the sea, we ended our first day of our trip to Okinawa, exploring the area in the warm night air.
