r/okinawa

Hey everyone,

I’ve been in Okinawa for a few days now and I’m really enjoying it overall but I had a small misadventure early on that’s made the rest of the trip a bit more complicated.

On my second day, I was swimming in the shallow, protected area of Naminoue Beach when my foot touched what I thought was just sea vegetation. I immediately felt a sharp, electric shock (very similar to a jellyfish sting).

After checking with the lifeguard, we ruled out a jellyfish. He mentioned it was a common reaction to what he described (through some bad google translation) as “insects” or “microbes,” which I believed to likely be hydroids or similar tiny marine organisms.

At first, the pain was manageable, but it got significantly worse about 6–7 hours later. That night was honestly BAD, the pain was intense enough to keep me awake despite being exhausted. By the next morning, it had calmed down quite a bit, and now (three days later) it’s more of a lingering discomfort than real pain.

That said, it’s still pretty inconvenient: I can’t wear socks or closed shoes, and even light contact (like bedsheets) can be irritating. Nothing dangerous, but definitely something that can impact your trip if it happens.

Just a heads-up to be careful, even in shallow, seemingly safe areas!

(Photos below: right after it happened, and how it looks now.)

I found them when I went to a pleace called Oshittai in the northern area to buy some bitter honey.

I'd never seen these floweres before, but they were very beautiful.

This is probably a long shot, but back in 2009-2011 my family and I lived in a haunted house on Kadena Air Force base. I have always wondered if any previous of occupants after us experienced the same things. That would be very validating. Our house number was 1827. We would see shadows, hear voices, hear screaming, things would move, and more. Here is a pic of the house:

Hello! I recently moved to Okinawa for my studies and have already explored the main island's popular attractions and sights. Could you please tell me what there is to do here during Golden Week? Are there any special events dedicated to the holidays? Or could you point me to websites and communities where I can find information about this?

今日はどんよりとした曇り空です。

気温は22度。湿度はそこまで高く感じない。過ごしやすい気温ではある。風は今のところほぼ無風。

週末は晴れてくれるといいな。

The bay of Nakanoshima on Shimoji Island is on another level 🌊🐠

On the right day, water visibility here can hit 30 meters 🤯 And a few days ago, it was exactly like that. Crystal clear. Unreal. One guest even said Nakanoshima Bay is more beautiful than Yabiji. Honestly... I get it. The fish are closer, the corals are just as stunning, and best of all - no seasickness 🐟✨

We spent time just floating, doing nothing, letting the ocean do its thing. Pure calm. Two total beginners who couldn't even swim? No problem. With life jackets on, they felt completely safe and ended up loving every second ❤️

Boat entries can be intimidating - deep water, jumping in, that moment of hesitation. But here? Totally different vibe. Calm waters, easy beach entry, and you can literally stand knee-deep and get comfortable with your gear first. It's confidence-building at its best 👍

If you're coming to Miyakojima, you have to try Nakanoshima. It's perfect for beginners, amazing for free diving practice, and the ideal warm-up before heading out to Yabiji.

And here's a little bonus... during high tide with gentle incoming waves, you can cross the reef and explore the outer bay 🌊 That's where boats usually anchor for diving. Every time I get there, I can't help but smile - knowing you can reach this kind of beauty without even needing an expensive boat ride 😏

#ilovemiyakojima

#Miyakojima

#NakanoshimaBeach

#ShimojiIsland

#SnorkelingJapan

#OceanLovers

#CoralReef

#MarineLife

#TravelJapan

#BeachVibes