Hey guys,
I just got back from my first family trip to Okinawa. I’ve been to mainland Japan more times than I can count, but Okinawa was a whole different experience—in a good way and a “wait, what just happened?” way.
Okinawa was absolutely beautiful. Beaches, views, vibes—10/10. Everything also moves at a very relaxed pace, which I thought I was prepared for… until I got behind the wheel.
Because wow. The real final boss of my trip was driving.
Around Naha, lane markings felt more like friendly suggestions, and I witnessed things I wasn’t emotionally prepared for. One driver appeared to be fully committed to a romantic side quest with his passenger while still technically driving. Another was weaving through traffic like he’d accidentally selected “Mario Kart – Expert Mode.”
I’d heard about different license plates and driving styles beforehand, so I’m fully open to the possibility that I just had legendary bad luck. But there were moments where I genuinely wondered if I’d logged into a GTA server: Okinawa edition by mistake.
So I have to ask—are Okinawa roads always this… exciting, or did I just unlock hard mode on my first visit?
(I survived, the car survived, and I’d still come back. Just maybe with lower expectations and a higher heart-rate tolerance.)
TL;DR: > 1. Okinawa is stunning, but the driving is a real-life Mario Kart expert mode.
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Witnessed a "romantic side quest" behind the wheel in Naha.
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Did I accidentally enter a GTA server, or is this just Okinawan daily life?
by New-Boysenberry-3444