Cycad

More popular than hibiscus, more striking are cycads in Okinawa.

Why do the Japanese love it so much?
http://botanyboy.org/cycas-revoluta-in-japan/

Emperor Akihito planted a pair of King sago palms at the Japanese garden in Jurong when he visited Singapore as Crown Prince in 1970. They represent our friendship strong and steadfast. He said.

Cycads use pollen in reproduction which can explain how prolific they are in Daisekirinzan 大石林.

Cycad revoluta is native to Okinawa. Used as part of a garden landscape. Be careful that the leaves are toxic and sharp. But surprisingly sago is made from King Sago palm. Wikipedia has a short writeup on a hypothesis that some bacteria found in the roots make their way into the human body and cause of some neurological disease. Although no evidence is cited, I am steering clear of sago flour.

Majestic.

In Singapore, cycad are prone to be eaten by the cycad blue butterfly, indigenous to Australia. It doesnt seem to be a nuisance in Okinawa. Wisdom here on controlling what flora and fauna you allow into the country.
http://www.pacsoa.org.au/wiki/Cycad_Blue_Butterfly

Cycad fossils date back to 280 million years ago and commonly thought to be around when dinosaurs roam the earth.

A very good writeup if you are considering cycad for your garden. Also known as King Sago Palm. https://dengarden.com/landscaping/sago-palm-cycas-revoluta

Source: https://christophereppig.wordpress.com/tag/cycad/

Grown as a bonsai
https://www.bonsaioutlet.com/sago-palm-bonsai-care/

Propagating a cycad:
https://gardenerspath.com/plants/ornamentals/grow-sago-palm/

Okinawa lion guard dogs

More common that Shuri soba has to be the Shisa or lion-dogs in Naha city. They remind me very much of Chinese stone lions guarding important monuments or temples.

The Chinese lions are usually depicted in pairs.

A male with one paw on an embroidered ball (represent rule over the world ) and a female with one paw on a cub (represent benevolence ). These lions or Shi-si are in front of buildings.

In Okinawa, the lion-dogs are on roofs or on gates. They are also in pairs, a closed-mouth female to keep in the good spirits; an open-mouthed male to scare evil spirits away.

Myths abound as to how this tradition came about. Today it is on every building.

Tsuboya Pottery Street, Naha, Okinawa

Next to the Makishi Market, a good 25 min walk from O’hartote is the Tsuboya Pottery Street where the Ryukyu kingdom gathered all pottery makers.

Today, the street is a pleasant and pretty walk of pottery items, cups and items of daily use.

Be rewarded with McDonald’s end of the street.

Postscript

We bought two chopping boards of Kusunoki wood at Utusama, a bowl of Okinawan blue at the shop beside the Museum and 2 mugs to remember our trip. We didnt visit the Museum because it was closed.

Naha, Sustainable Christmas Tree at Ryu Bo

Plant Hunter Nishihata, young man with a vision to transform the horticulture industry in Japan. Dream Job

Sora Botanical Gardens project outside Ryu Bo Mall

Christmas Tree with a <a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/12/28/national/plant-hunter-quest-shake-horticulture-rare-trees-flowers/#.Wj7wN3PqbgA“>difference

Day 1 Naha, Okinawa

Why Okinawa
Researching on happiness, I came across an article claiming Okinawa has the highest number of octogenarian.

What is the secret? I decided to go on a quest to find out.

Getting there
Jetstar flies direct to Naha, Okinawa (5hrs). Okinawa is not as cold as Kyoto in December.

We took the red eye flight with Jetstar and arrived at 8am. We didnt sleep well even though we had booked seats on first row.

Outside the station of our hotel, taxi drivers. Many of them look above 60 yrs old.

Naha is indeed an aging town. We see quite a lot of older people. But they are friendly and very helpful. They dont shy away from helping give directions through sign language.

Hotel: Mercure Naha
Getting there: Monorail 5 stops.
From international airport, walk past domestic airport using the Level 2 sheltered linkèd walkway.
Tip: Buy the 1 day pass for 800¥.

Dropped bags and took train to Shuri castle.

Kankaimon Gate, the front gate of the Shurijo castle to welcome the Chinese investiture envoys.

First Stop: Shurijo Castle
Okinawa was not part of Japan until the late Meiji period. Technically they became Japanese only in recent years with the support of Japanese modernisation and medical.

The grounds around Shuri castle is an interesting, hilly and undulating walk. Although a UNESCO site, its been burnt down several times and restored in 1992. Ryukyu Kingdom ruled Okinawa for 500 years until the last King Sho Tai abdicated the throne to the Meiji Throne. There are many traces of Chinese influence in the architecture.

Glass industry

An old man sweeping his porch called out to me, while I was photographing hibiscus. There is goodwill towards Singapore – he has been 6 times and invited us to visit his tiny compound. A walkway connecting several homes is a beautifully kept garden.

Ryukyu Sabo Ashibiuna
Lunch at shuri soba where we had swuid ink soba. Tasted like squid ink pasta fried chinese style.

Sit and view a zen/ tropical garden while you eat.

Walked towards the train station and asked for help with finding Shuri soba near Shuri station. 400¥, 500¥ or 600¥. Homestyle soba with light broth. I am convinced that soba doesnt agree with me. I am a thick broth ramen person.

By now its 3pm and we took the train to our hotel for checkin.

Postscript
We took a taxi from.Mercure Naha to the International airport. 5 min. 1350¥
But hotel who booked us the cab didnt warn us that it opens at 7am. If you arrive too early, be prepared to sit out in the cold.

Pros of Mercure Naha
Next to train station (1 min walk)
Faces river and quiet/spacious part of town
OTS car rental pick up is in the same building
Near airport

Cons
You can get cheaper rates elsewhere
Quiet neighbourhood
Rooms are small

Next time I recommend staying at Asahibashi Station (Doubletree Hilton) or Daiwa Roi Net at Makishi Station

Supermarket and a Mr Donut around the corner.
10 min walk to O’Harcote bakery
15 min walk to Palette Kimoji and Ryu Bo
25 min walk to Kokusai Street

Around Shuri Station
1. Shuri Castle

2. Ryukyu Sabo Ashibiuna
2 Chome-13 Shuritonokuracho, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 903-0812
Tel: 098-884-0035
https://g.co/kgs/eFWeqH

3. Shuri-soba
〒903-0813 Okinawa Prefecture, Naha, 首里赤田町1 Chome−7
098-884-0556
https://g.co/kgs/doqxGy