After several weeks in Japan, I had finally made my way to Okinawa. My first stop was the town of Motobu, located on the peninsula of the same name in northern Okinawa. The town comprises much of the peninsula and the two nearby islands of Minnajima and Sesoko. Sesoko can be accessed from Motobu by bridge while Minnajima can only be reached by ferry. It was almost late November but the weather was still warm on this subtropical paradise island.
I stayed at the Motobu Green-Park Hotel while in Motobu. The hotel is on a hilltop surrounded by a nearby golf course and the ocean. The panoramic views from the hotel were stunning. From the balcony of my room I could see the blue ocean and also Sesoko island and the bridge that connects this island with Okinawa. Seasonal rain likely curtailed a view much more breathtaking but it was still amazing.
During your stay in Motobu Green-Park you can enjoy several activities. The hotel features a tennis court, a golf course (within 3 km) and an outdoor pool (seasonal) with scenic mountain views. Barbecue facilities are also available. It's a great starting point for sightseeing in the northern part of Okinawa. For example, it's just a 5-minute drive to Nakijin, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and likewise very close to the Ocean Expo Park where you can find the famous Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Several white sand and turquoise water beaches are also nearby.
The guestrooms are big, clean and cozy with large size windows to enjoy the landscape views. The western-style beds are really comfortable. There is no internet in the rooms, but guests with a laptop can use the free wired internet connection located in the lobby.
The hotel offers a buffet-style breakfast featuring both Japanese and western style dishes. In the restaurant of the hotel you also can enjoy Okinawan specialties like the delicious Okinawan soba, a type of noodle soup flavored with konbu (seaweed), katsuobushi flakes (dried, fermented and smoked skipjack tuna) and pork. Vegetarian dishes are also served.
The hotel staff were very friendly, kind and supportive, giving me a lot of information about the area and helping me to reach the main attractions around this part of the island.
