Pension Umi no soba

Five colleagues and I used the lodge for a BBQ drinking party, and everyone was very happy with it. The BBQ grill, tongs, tableware, and the other equipment were all provided, which made things convenient. There was even a takoyaki plate, a real treat for those of us from the Kansai region. It's not a modern lodge, but it felt like a family home in the countryside and had all the amenities we wanted. I'm very grateful to Ona-san for being so kind.

I came to Okinawa with two generations of family, including an elementary schooler and a toddler, and Ginoza turned out to be a great base. It’s quieter than Naha, which worked well with the kids. The drive from the airport takes a while, but once we were there, getting around was easy. The west side and Churaumi Aquarium weren’t far, and I wondered if the drive from Ginoza might be easier than dealing with traffic from Naha. The sea is right outside, calm and clear, so the children could play safely. We didn’t spot tropical fish, but there were lots of hermit crabs and sand crabs. From the big windows we watched the sunrise each morning. It was my first time in Okinawa, and a friend had suggested this place after I’d heard the west coast was more tropical. I’m glad we stayed here. There’s a steep set of stairs from the balcony straight down to the water. If little ones are nervous, you can walk around from the entrance instead, which only takes about a minute. The balcony also has a tap for rinsing off sand and seawater. Inside, there’s a shower and a small tub. With Okinawa’s heat, I was fine just showering. The kitchen has a hot plate, and you can barbecue on the balcony, though we ate out so often we didn’t use everything. The fridge, microwave, and toaster were handy for the kids, and I loved making coffee by the window each morning. There were plenty of towels, plus a drum washer-dryer. After a day of playing with the kids, the massage chair facing the sea helped me sleep well. We’d play in the water in the morning, go sightseeing by car when it got too hot, then come back to the sea later. The izakaya across the road was delicious, and the pension owner was kind and told us about Okinawa’s local plants and creatures. There’s a small supermarket a few minutes away by car. It’s not a flashy luxury resort, but I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a quiet, lived-in Okinawa stay.

It’s a very quiet place since there’s just one room, and the sea is only about a 30-second walk from the garden. The elderly owner runs the pension. Nearby, there’s a shop where you can pick up ingredients and eat in the dining room. It has the household appliances you need, and you can cook rice if you bring it along. You can also apply for lodging subsidies through hometown tax donations, which makes the stay inexpensive.

The view from this lodging was spectacular and cleared my head of everyday stress. I stayed once while traveling in Okinawa, and the place really lived up to its name. The owner was incredibly kind and gave us wonderful hospitality. I’d absolutely recommend staying here.