Okinawa 美食體驗(13)

Ms. Junko Yokoo is a high quality, professional tour guide. She is very caring and demonstrated exceptional knowledge about Okinawan culture. While showing my wife and I around Okinawa, the Awamori Distillery and Cave Expedition, we could see that Ms. Junko was the embodiment of the Okinawan culture. Ms. Junko provided a warm and personal atmosphere which had a positive influence toward our understanding and appreciation of Okinawa, Okinawan’s and the rich Ryukyuan history. Ms. Junko explained in detail the history of the Distillery, the Cave, and afterwards took us to a traditional Okinawan restaurant where we were delighted to eat delicious traditional Okinawan food. Having worked on Okinawa several years ago I know how delicious Okinawan food can be. Ms. Junko took us to a local Okinawan restaurant where the locals eat, and the taste of the food was a night and day difference in comparison to the food where most tourists tend to dine. Ms. Junko Yokoo is an excellent tour guide and a great asset to the byFood team. We highly recommend this tour and Ms. Junko Yokoo as your tour guide!

Rina-san is incredibly knowledgeable about food in general, and Ryūkyū cuisine in particular. She's easy-going, open-hearted, and instantly makes you feel welcome. The whole experience is thoughtfully prepared, enjoyable, and never intimidating — even if you're not confident in the kitchen. Rina-san is endlessly patient, and she'll explain or demonstrate as many times as needed, always with a smile. You'll cook four dishes simultaneously, but the flow is smooth and natural. Nothing feels rushed, and there’s no food waste. Every dish complements the others beautifully — both in flavor and spirit. In a nutshell: If you're curious about going deeper into Okinawan food culture — book this experience. If you want to see what happens when skill and generosity meet in one person — book this experience.

**A Life-Changing Mother-Daughter Experience - Beyond Words Beautiful ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐** I'm still getting emotional just thinking about our matcha tea ceremony experience. As a mother who values authentic connections with my daughter, this wasn't just an activity - it was a soul-stirring moment that I'll treasure forever. From the moment we were dressed in our beautiful kimonos, Maya and I were transported into something sacred. The gentle guidance through each ritual, the mindful preparation of the matcha, the quiet reverence of the traditional tea room - every detail created space for us to truly be present with each other. What moved me most was watching my daughter embrace this ancient tradition with such grace and curiosity. In that peaceful moment, sharing Japanese sweets and sipping our carefully prepared tea, I felt the profound connection between generations of mothers and daughters who have shared similar rituals of mindfulness and love. This experience reminded me why I'm so passionate about creating meaningful moments with my children. The ceremony taught us both about slowing down, honoring tradition, and finding beauty in simplicity - values I hope to carry forward in our daily lives. If you're a parent looking for an authentic cultural experience that goes beyond typical tourist activities, this tea ceremony is transformative. It's not just about learning Japanese customs; it's about creating space for connection and reflection with people you love.

We enjoyed learning to cook Okinawan healthy dishes like Stir-fried cut combu, Goya champura and Shiraae from Rina. She gave each of us various tasks from prepping to cooking. We were amazed to see our finished dishes looking "instagram" worthy to post. Especially after plating in our bento boxes. We loved and enjoyed eating our lunch bento!

Cooking with Rina was truly fantastic. Her home was perfect for the occasion – cozy, welcoming, and ideal for a culinary experience. Rina explained everything clearly and patiently, demonstrating each step slowly while sharing interesting details about the ingredients, why they are important, and how they benefit our health. In addition to the cooking, she also told us a lot about Okinawa, its culture, and food traditions, which added a special depth to the experience. At the end, we all sat down together and enjoyed everything we had prepared – and it was delicious! Rina is a wonderful and patient teacher who made this experience truly special and unforgettable. We also took home the recipes, which will definitely come in handy. We highly recommend this to anyone looking for more than just a cooking class – this was a real experience! Thanks a lot. Alenka in Stane