Senaga Island

Posted by Masumi Tuha
Senaga-jima, a small island in Tomigusuku City, is one of the places I frequently visit by car, bike, or running. It is also one of the places where my husband took me to when I visited Okinawa before we got married.

So, what are the attractions of this island?

I would say the main attraction is airplanes passing overhead. The island is located just south of Naha Airport, and many people go there to enjoy watching airplanes take off and land; they pass just above you! It is so impressive, and you will never get tired of watching them. You may also be amazed at how often airplanes come and go in Okinawa. During the busy hours in the morning and evening, it is not an exaggeration to say that you can see airplanes approaching and departing every few minutes.

Other people come here to enjoy wind surfing. It was quite windy the last time I visited the island, and I could see several windsurfers.

This island is also a good place to have a barbeque party in the summer time. Children can play in the park. There are also four baseball fields on this small island (the perimeter is 1.5 km)!

This is a rock where couples who wish to have a baby come to pray to be blessed with a newborn.

The shape of the original rock was different. There were two holes near the top of the rock. It is said that if you throw a stone, and it passes through the upper hole, you will have a baby boy; if it passes through the lower hole, you will have a baby girl.

Even though it was recently recreated without holes, it still seems to have a special power.

In the evening, a beautiful sunset over the horizon on the side of the rock romanticizes people.

Senaga Island is an island of love and happiness. I strongly recommend you visit.

Ishigaki Beef Hamburger The “Holy Cow” Burger in Chatan

Fresh Cream Cheese Burger

Posted by Mari rita Tobaru

When you live in a country from an early 
age where there are many fast food establishments and restaurants serving many different types of hamburgers, you tend to look for good burgers everywhere you go. To me, burgers bring back good memories of family barbecues in Guam and in the United States. I still remember the culture shock I experienced when I found out that no McDonalds existed in Thailand when I moved there with my family 30 years ago. (One opened the following year.) After experiencing a country with no hamburger establishments, I was extremely happy when I came to Okinawa because there were fast-food restaurants (that I was familiar with) that served hamburgers. 

Hamburgers are now evolving in Japan. Just last year, I saw a magazine introducing all the best burgers served in Japan. I did my own research and personally found four hamburger restaurants in Okinawa. Out of the four, one restaurant named “Ishigaki-jima Kitchen Bin” serves a great large juicy burger made from Okinawa’s specialty, Ishigaki Beef! At this restaurant, burgers are made using Ishigaki Beef, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions and toppings like avocado, bacon and cheese or fresh cream cheese, combined and stacked together to create a mouthwatering American-style burger. Try this special Ishigaki Beef burger when in the area! You won’t regret it!

 Ishigakijima Kitchen Bin

1-11-21 Chatan, Chatan-cho

Tel: 098-936-7587

Hours: 11:00 – 22:00

*Accept major credit cards