Shi-Shi dogs are watching me, some with mouths open some little some grand… I will never forget the three years my family was stationed in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan a quintessential utopia of natural beauty, and rich tradition spanning 881 mi and home to 1.5 million people. I like most people who knew about the ginormous island of Japan, but I guess I never really thought about the smaller surrounding Islands. The island of Okinawa is and was an absolute favorite destination to date. With delicious cuisine, mystical history, heart-racing scenery, as well as parks and resorts. My favorite aspects of Japanese culture are the beautiful building architecture in the Nuchija style built in wood with re pottery roof tiles, and limestone wales of white. There were many shrines and older buildings that you could visit and just visually enjoy. There is the Okinawan Prefectural Peace Memorial, Shurijo Castle, and Enkaku-ji to sight a few famous for their picturesque structures. One thing that I noticed they all had frequently throughout Okinawa was these Stone statues that looked like giant lions. Well, I tell you that they were lions, and dogs at the same time! They're called Shisa dogs and they are from Okinawan mythology believed that they ward the building against evil. There is even a giant Shisa Dog Children's Park in Ginowan, Okinawa that feature Shisa Dogs of all sizes, including ones as large as a bus! Although I didn’t play I was intrigued by many shops packed with people full of Pachinko machines. Any and every block had several, and the air was saturated with the clinking of the coins as the machine paid out accompanied by the melodious jingling, and dinging. The people studiously paid rapt attention while loading the machine with inhuman speed. It was a cornucopia of sounds and flashing lights. Now I should preface what comes next with I love to eat! My House a restaurant that can be found in Ginowan, Okinawa was a favorite of mine and my family on Friday nights. They offer a wide variety of types of food some of which are egg drop soup, fried rice, steak (400g for 1,500 yen), or French fries. The couple that ran the place at the time were kind and gentle and people of few words. Kadena Air Force Base in Azahigashi which is in the Nakagami District featured Kadena’s Officer Club where many culinary events were hosted with a plethora of attractions like brunch (including waffle and omelet stations) were to be had. My absolute favorite was the Mongolian BBQ event which attracted many of the military personnel on the island. The lines were long, but the food was definitely worth the wait! Do you have a hankering for something sweet, tangy, and tart? Look no further than the Nago Pineapple Park in Nago City, Okinawa. There are beautiful wooden bridges and walkways surrounded by lush green foliage and the locals are knowledgeable, gentle, and warm. Younger visitors will enjoy the pineapple themed buses and trains available for tours throughout the park. o many different ways of preparing pineapple from juice to ice cream or parfaits try to partake of them all. Parks featuring tropical fruit aren't the only thing Okinawa is known for, and there are water parks an essential in the summer Okinawan Heat. Bios Hill is in Uruma, and Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Kingdom Theme Park is in Yomitan, while Okinawa Zoo and Museum is located in Okinawa City. With Okinawa being an island, and Beach season being between July and September there are numerous places to sojourn. Manza Beach is located in front of the ANA International Manza Beach Resort where a night stay can run you around $124 USD. Okinawa has some of the most beautiful and picturesque sunsets in the world. Check out Okuma Beach in the JAL Private Resort Okuma which features Beach facilities, and water activities available to guests and day visitors alike. Whether it’s the food, culture, architecture, parks, or people Okinawa Island may be small in size but boast a robust level of attractions for everyone. The prefecture spans 150 small islands so there are many nooks, and magical unmined jewels o explore, Give it a chance to take your breath away, and you will spend your whole trip gasping with excitement!