We are enjoying our stay in Nago once again. We didn’t plan to replicate last year’s stay at Green Rich Hotel in Nago over the New Year period, but once again it offered the best value…comfortable, affordable and an Onsen on the top floor looking out to the sea. Nago is a small city but it offers us enough to keep us busy and entertained…the beach is wonderful, there is a mountain park with great riding and a community that we are getting to know. We enjoy smaller communities.
Shisa are creatures from Okinawan mythology that stand watch and protect people from evil spirits. A cross between a dog and a lion, they are considered friendly and comforting. The statues are found throughout the Okinawan islands; perched on rooftops or standing on guard at the front gates of a residence and public buildings. They are always found in pairs. The female Shisa has a closed mouth to keep the good spirits in, while the male Shisa is open mouthed to scare away the evil spirits.
The male Shisa is doing his job of keeping evil spirits away.
As we have mentioned, the New Year is a very auspicious time for Japanese people. People from all over Japan travel home to their roots to be with their family. Visiting the Shrine is also very important. We will visit the local shrine in Nago today as once it is New Year, the shrine will be very busy and filled with people, lined up to get access.
It is a busy period to get the Shrine ready for visitors.
The red and white banners and the purple cloth across the front have been put up for the New Year.
There has been a massive clean up of this area at the top of the hill. It is considered a special place and they have worked hard to make it ready for the New Year.
Nago is very proud that their city was a part of the Olympic Torch Relay in 2020. There was a photo of the massive crowd who had come to witness this moment.
Nago has a beautiful beach. There were mostly locals today spending time with their children enjoying this beautiful day, building sand features and walking the beach searching for shells…much like us.
This fellow has come to the beach to fish. He is well prepared with his tackle, fishing rod, bait and an umbrella to keep him cool from the sun. There is a paved lane along the beach which we can ride as far as we like.
This fellow seemed to be fairly comfortable with us nearby, but he did keep himself at a comfortable distance. He looks like he is fed well. He had the strangest coat - when he sprawled out on the ground, you would think that he was two different cats as there was a distinct line around his middle with the darker tone on the top and the lower a faded tone. But when he is sitting upright, it looks different.
This is a day of exploring. We are riding to a waterfall park south of town. Lots that we like here…a wide and colourful sidewalk lined with palm trees.
We are going to visit the Todoroki Waterfall just a few km out of Nago. Being seniors (70 years) we got in for 1/2 price…$1 or as the sign said…100¥ for children or the elderly. I guess that tells us!
The grounds at the waterfall are well maintained with signage on most trees and flowers which we appreciated. A few photos of the waterfall and the lovely flowers, some of which had no name attached. Sorry.
At the base of the waterfall is a note (in Japanese) warning visitors that the area above the falls is a site used by the US Military for training purposes. No trespassers allowed at the top. Glad we have Google Translate.
We are visiting Okinawa during the dry season. The waterfall, at other times of the year, is quite a forceful waterfall. Nonetheless, we really enjoyed it.
Life is funny…I had never heard of Forest Bathing as a movement and way of life. Before we left, our local library had just added a new book to our collection called Forest Bathing in Japan and I read it. Basically, it is a movement popular in Japan where you spend quality time in nature and the forest to balance a busy life, for your spiritual health and sense of balance. I like the phrase Forest Bathing as my dad found his place of happiness in the woods and as a family we spent a lot of time on our 100 acre wood lot, just enjoying where we were, cleaning up trees, taking them to the nearby mill and making maple syrup. Who knew we were Forest bathing?
We also are planning to make a stop at one of the original A&W restaurants in Okinawa. They no longer offer car service, but the speakers and the set up is still in place. It is a huge A&W and it attracts hordes of people. We came here last year and made the mistake of ordering food….never again. It wasn’t good. Nevertheless the place is always full and every table is laden with lots of food. This time we came in to have a root beer float in the original trademark, frosted Glass Mug. This A &W has the look and feel of a 60’s A&W….and for Barry and I, that is our childhood. Awww, the memories.
