Okinawa and shiisaa

[Drax]

I have a trip to Okinawa coming up. Any recommendations on tea-related things to do or see? I see that there's a tsuboya pottery museum... anything less tourist-focus? Is that even possible in Okinawa?

Also, I think I am going to attempt to find a shiisaa (kawaii!! ), maybe from stone or pottery. Has to be plane portable. Any recommendations?

[jayinhk]

I'm headed there in a few hours. Will get back to you.

[Drax]

Ha! That's great, thanks! I hope you're getting out of there before Golden Week hits...

[jayinhk]

Tail end will be during Golden Week. Should be interesting

[jayinhk]

Okinawans drink sanpin cha, or jasmine tea. Just picked up a bag at a local supermarket, along with some Chiran sencha for a good price!

[jayinhk]

No shortage of small shisaa around...the original was medallion sized!

[Chip]

Please share about sanpin cha.

Thanks!

[Drax]

Thanks for the info, jay! I have a colleague who enjoys jasmine tea, I may pick here up some. Are they chinese or japanese teas? Or...?

[jayinhk]

Both Okinawan and low grade Chinese stuff is sold at supermarkets. The Okinawan stuff is the best I've ever had.

I highly recommend driving if you're going out of Naha as public transport is sparse. My brother's driving, so no worries there. About to cycle through a small seaside village here in Motobu. I may do some urban cycling in Naha, although there is a monorail to get you around. I just like exploring cities on bike and popping into random places that interest me

[Drax]

Great, I will check out the sanpin cha, then.

I'll be driving while I'm out there, just waiting on AAA to send my permit. I drove last time I was out there, but that was only for two days. I'll be out for about a week this time, but I'm just not sure how much free time I'll have... I'll be staying at a place up near Onna.

[jayinhk]

Are you with the US military in some capacity?

I'll be going to some kind of obscure Japanese village...hoping to pick up some teacups and an awamori (Okinawan rice vodka) pot. been drinking a lot of awamori!

[Drax]

I'm civilian, but do analytic work for the US military.

Awamori... sounds like the local soju. Hm. Lots of stuff to try, then! I think I'll stay away from the habushu, though. I saw that last time I was in mainland Japan...

I'll be curious how your pottery hunting trip goes...!

[jayinhk]

I should've said somewhat remote Okinawan pottery village...probably too much awamori last night! Still looking to try habushu.

I am so impressed with the pottery here. So many beautiful plates and cups in use at the hotel!

[jayinhk]

Just visited the American Village in Chatan. Got two bags of shincha and some gyokuro... All discounted and very fair prices too, especially with the weak Yen. I only paid around $45 for three bags of good tea. Got me a tea scoop and a tea caddy too! The tea stall even served up matcha soft serve ice cream...you know I got some

If you make it to the aquarium, there are some kyusu and tea sets for sale for fair prices, and they have artist biographies next to their work. I didn't buy any...still holding out for better cups!

[Drax]

Haha, I'm not sure anything in Okinawa is truly "remote," but I understand what you mean.

I stayed at a hotel near American Village last time I visited. Where in American Village was the tea place?

This time, I'll be staying at a place a bit further away, but it shouldn't be too hard to visit....

.... if I end up going, that is. I may not being going, depending on how disaster response efforts to Nepal unfold....