沖縄 Okinawa Bike Camping [Day 5 Kin to Ikei Island]
Day 5 Kin to Ikei Island
This flip flop navigator adventure is day 5 of my 500 kilometer bicycle circumnavigation of the island of Okinawa in Southern Japan.
On day 5 I wake up in Kin at my gracious hosts house then head out with all my gear fully charged and all my clothes freshly washed.
With 290 plus kilometers behind me from the first four days I go south around Ishikawa bay to explore 4 islands connected to the Okinawa mainland by bridge.
I found this cool little sea wall at the edge of Ishikawa city, unfortunately it was a dead end.
"gaijin jutaku" (外人住宅), which means "foreigners' houses" were built in Okinawa post-WWII, particularly during the U.S. military occupation (1945–1972). The houses reflect the influence of American military culture on Okinawa during that time. Many are still in use today.
Mozuku is seaweed grown in shallow ocean areas on nets imbedded with the seeds. Sometimes locals enjoy visiting the beach to collect the mozuku that fell off the nets and washed ashore.
The wall at the entrance of an Okinawan yard is called a "kōri" (塀) or "ōkōri" (大塀), depending on its size, and is commonly found in both residential homes and agricultural properties in Okinawa.
Their purpose is to protect homes from the harsh wind and typhoons, ensure privacy, and act as spiritual boundaries that separated the sacred space of the home from the outside world. Their use of coral stone and shisa statues make them a unique architectural feature of Okinawa.
I did some research but never did find the name of or figure out the meaning of this item, if you know please let me know in the comment section below.
This is an IUshigato
Ishigantō (石敢當) is a protective stone found in Okinawa, parts of southern China, and Taiwan placed at T-junctions which are believed to be points of spirit gathering. You will also find them at road intersections, and entrances to homes or villages.
The name 石敢當, meaning "stone that dares to face" or "stone that dares to confront," reflects its purpose. It symbolizes the bravery and power to stand against evil forces.
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The gas tanks on Henza Island in Okinawa are part of petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities that includes oil refineries and fuel storage facilities operated by companies like the Okinawa Oil Refinery
My gracious host let me setup my tent and use the electricity on his porch on a beautiful perch overlooking Ishikawa bay.
After setting up my tent I headed across another bridge to explore Ikei Island.
I was very happy to find this mama san store on Ikei island is still open :)
Okinawa sata andagi (サーターアンダギー) are deep-fried doughnuts that are a popular traditional sweet in Okinawa.
The name comes from the Okinawan language:
"Sata" (サーター) = Sugar
"Andagi" (アンダギー) = Deep-fried
To my suprise a friend showed up with shrimp and a bbq so we had shrimp on the barbie and a beverage or two for dinner before I called it a night.
Stay tuned for day six of my 500 kilometer circumnavigation of Okinawa.
On day 6 I ride from Ikei Island south around the bottom of the Okinawa mainland and start back up the west coast again.
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