Australian Gourmet Traveller - (04)April 2019 (1)

PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES (CHURAUMI AQUARIUM & SHURIJO CASTLE).

142 GOURMET TRAVELLER

City hitlist

EAT

Getting

there

SEE STAY

Shurijo CastleThis

castle was the seat of

theRyukyuKingdom,

which was a major

maritime power for

almost 500 years.

Reflecting the unique

role of the Ryukyus,

thecastlefeaturesa

blend of Japanese and

Chinese influences.

It’s now one of nine

World Heritage sites in

Okinawa, fully restored

to its red-lacquered

glory after almost

being destroyed

during World War II.

1 Chome-2 Shurikinjocho,

oki-park.jp/shurijo/en/

Naha

Okinawa feels more Hawaiian than Japanese, and its laidback

capital has a character all its own, writesAMELIA LESTER.

Bacar

Drawn by the sunshine and surf,

Japanese hipsters flock to Okinawa

foracosmopolitanlifebythesea.

A popular hangout is Bacar (above),

abusypizzeriawheretheTokyo-

trained chef turns out excellent

incarnations of Margherita and

marinara pizze. Sit at the outdoor

tables on summer nights when

Negronis fuel conversations into

thelatehours.3-16-15 Kumoji,

+81 98 863 5678

Sushi Izumi

A charming husband-and-wife

team attentively serve Edo-style

sushi to nine diners at a time using

local bounty, including bigeye tuna,

buttery clams and steamed tiger

prawns. There’s no English spoken

andthere’snomenu,either;you’ll

be happy to take your chances

on the catch of the day served

alongside traditional favourites such

as Japanese horse mackerel and

sun-dried tilefish.2 Chome-1-10

Tomari, +81 98 860 7565

Shuri Soba

There’s always a line around the

block for what’s widely regarded

as the best Okinawa soba in town.

On the Japanese mainland, soba

refers to buckwheat noodles; here,

the noodles are made entirely from

wheat,andatShuri,theytakeseven

hours to prepare. Toppings include

athicksliceofstewedporkbelly,

white kamaboko (steamed seasoned

fish paste) and shredded ginger.

1Chome-7,+81988840556

Loisir HotelWith Naha’s only natural

hot-spring spa and a swimming pool

designed by Hanae Mori, one of Japan’s

most celebrated designers, this hotel

is so compelling you may be tempted

not to venture to the beaches nearby.

The spacious rooms offer sunset views

over the East China Sea and, on a clear

day, the Kerama Islands.3 Chome-2-1

Nishi, solarehotels.com

Churaumi AquariumLocatedona

peaceful peninsula about an hour’s

drive from the city, this aquarium

showcases the aquatic life found in the

Ryukyu archipelago. A highlight is the

KuroshioSeatank,whereapairof

whale sharks is part of a program

aimedatbreedingthefishsuccessfully

in captivity.424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho,

churaumi.okinawa/en

Okinawans are among the longest-lived people on Earth. Learn more about their

diet at the Taste of Okinawa Cooking Experience, a hands-on class that begins

at the Naha Public Market and ends with a bowl of soba.tasteof.okinawa

Naha is a short

flight from Tokyo,

Seoul, Taipei and

Hong Kong, all

with direct flights

from Australian

cities. Okinawa

is a destination

on 2019 cruise

itineraries by lines

including Holland

America Line,

Ponant, Crystal

Cruises and

Norwegian

Cruise Line.

Shurijo Castle.

Don’t

miss