Kouri Island is a relaxing getaway from Okinawa’s main island with beautiful beaches to help you disconnect from the busy world and reconnect with nature.

Hunting for strawberries for 40 minutes at Kafu Strawberry Farm’s greenhouse made me sweat like I would in summer. So, I decided to cool off at Kunjitahama, just south of Camp Schwab.

On a hot summer day in August, I headed to Kouri-jima, an island off the coast of Okinawa’s Nakijin Village.

It had been years since I’d made my way back to Higashi Village on Okinawa’s northeastern coast.

One of our favorite parts of Okinawa to explore is Nago. It is mountainous, covered with jungles, and full of areas to check out!

I recently visited Mutabaru Observatory in Ogimi village in the northern part of Okinawa for a second time.

Nago Castle Park is a hot spot for cherry blossom-viewing in the winter as thousands of visitors come to enjoy the pink blush flowers. Nago-dake, a mountain just at the back of the park, does not receive the same glory.

Hop on an ATV with Yambarunture, an outdoor recreational park adjacent to Matayoshi Coffee Farm.

Cape Maeda is a popular diving/snorkeling spot. Its Ao no Dokutsu (blue cave or grotto) sits on the bucket list for many tourists coming to Okinawa.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Grover Barham III stands at attention during his Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ceremony on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 23, 2024.