Living on Ishigaki Island, typhoons feel like familiar “regulars.” Yet, each time they come, there’s still a bit of excitement. This time, Typhoon No. 18 was on its way, but it weakened into a tropical depression along the way.
So, I thought I’d share some stories related to typhoons.
**Preparing for a Typhoon:** When a typhoon is approaching, everyone rushes to the supermarket. Water, instant noodles, and potato chips are always the first to sell out. One friend of mine, having nothing else to do, buys a lot of alcohol just to drink.
At home, we tidy up the potted plants and secure anything that might blow away. Oh, and we make sure to fill up our cars with gas.
Even though we’re used to it, we still take precautions. However, since we haven’t had any super-strong typhoons lately, I feel like our sense of urgency is fading a bit. That’s a little scary.
Ishigaki Island’s nature is truly beautiful, but it also reminds us of its strength. Every time a typhoon comes, I’m reminded of the power of nature. It’s moments like these that make me feel it’s part of island living.
Honestly, it’s dangerous and I shouldn’t do it, but during the last typhoon, I went outside in just a T-shirt and shorts and got completely soaked. The raindrops hitting my face were really painful, but I had a lot of fun!
Once the typhoon passes, we all start the cleanup together. Picking up items blown away by the wind, cleaning up, and getting things back to normal. Of course, there can be damage, but the people on the island quickly return to their daily lives.
That said, I’ve noticed that the number of typhoons lately has decreased, and I haven’t heard about significant damage from typhoons in the news.
In the end, this time there wasn’t even a typhoon, which felt like a letdown.
I often hear news about rising sea temperatures causing coral to die because there haven’t been any typhoons. That worries me a bit.
The sun was too strong during the daytime, so I made a schedule to start after 4:00 p.m. and experienced Ocean Park, one of the InterContinental Hotel's activities (like an athletic activity on the sea) for the first time.
Well, no, contrary to appearances, this is quite hard!
After registration, you put on a life jacket and start the athletic activity.
This was the first time for me to actually experience it, even though I had seen it in the media.
I had seen people playing happily in the water,
I thought it was a bit of a lighthearted experience, but it was quite physically demanding. (Maybe it was just me?).
A mother of a family nearby was screaming something to her child.
Once I fell into the water, it was hard, hard, hard to get back up on the float. I was sweating a lot. Will my muscles be sore tomorrow?
We went to this ocean athletic facility because it is available for outpatients if you pay, but it seems that guests also have to pay.
By the way, this Maesato Beach is not a private beach of the hotel,
It is a public beach open to people other than hotel guests,
There is a parking space for non-guests on the hotel grounds,
I parked my car there and walked to the beach.
I have been living in Ishigaki for a long time, but I didn't know there was a parking lot so close to the beach.
Windbreak tunnel leading to the beach↓ Isn't it nice?
The tunnel makes it exciting. My friend said it looks like Totoro might appear.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I stayed at Haimurubushi on Kohama Island using the Okinawa Prefectural Residents' Discount.
Here's a view from the room at Haimurubushi:
"It's been a while!"
The best thing about staying here has to be getting around in the carts, don't you think? Once again, we had a blast with the cart-inclusive plan. Thank you so much!
I was looking forward to enjoying the pool, but unfortunately, it rained. Still, I was determined to get into the pool, even if just for a bit, to feel that resort vibe. (Of course, no one else was there.) Thank you to the lifeguard for watching over us.
While I was in the pool under light rain, I heard thunder rumbling in the distance. The lifeguard promptly instructed everyone to get out of the pool. And just like that, our pool time for the day was over. How many minutes did we even get to play in the pool?
But that's okay. Just sitting on a lounge chair by the pool and soaking in the resort atmosphere was enough for me.
Haimurubushi pool side
We also enjoyed a tropical blue drink at the mini café spot right next to the pool, while admiring the beautiful pool and the well-maintained garden beyond it.
Ah, the greenery is so beautiful.
I expected there would be more tourists around mid-April, but it wasn't crowded at all. If you're wondering when to visit, I hope this serves as a helpful tip for planning your trip.
Near Haneda Airport, there's a hotel with hot spring facilities, which I used for the first time during this trip. You can check the link for more details.
While I usually stay at hotels in Tokyo for my time in the city, this time, due to the layover, I searched for places near the airport and found this facility.
Surprisingly, this new facility is connected to Haneda Airport Terminal 3, allowing you to check in without stepping outside. On the day of my visit, there were many foreign visitors, creating a lively atmosphere.
What surprised me the most was the moment I entered Terminal 3 before checking into the hotel. I instantly sensed a foreign aroma. It felt like I wasn't in Japan anymore; it was a foreign atmosphere! Although I had seen the inbound tourism boom on TV, this was the first time I truly felt it.
The hotel's check-in counter had a spacious lobby with high ceilings, lined with neatly arranged check-in machines.
The building also housed numerous dining options and souvenir shops, providing an array of Japanese souvenirs from different regions. However, despite the variety, the building seemed less crowded. Perhaps this place is not yet widely known?
Prices, especially at shops in the connecting passageway, were set at inbound rates, making them quite expensive — 800 yen for a bag of candies and around 2,500 yen for a set meal.
After settling into my room, I decided to relax in the hot spring. Wearing the provided indoor wear and slippers, I crossed the connecting passageway to the hot spring. Although I didn't use it this time, I noticed a lovely gym for guests along the way.
The hot spring, accessible throughout the night, offered a relaxing space for around 8,000 yen, even if you stayed overnight without reserving a room. I observed a few guests choosing this option, spending the night in the hot spring relaxation area without booking a room.
The bathing area featured various amenities, including a sauna and an open-air bath, all within a new and well-maintained facility. The sauna even provided sauna mats and occasionally exchanged towels. The only minor inconvenience was the television in the sauna room — a personal preference, but I prefer a quiet sauna experience without the noise of a TV in the background.
One thing I appreciated was the mist sauna infused with herbal scents, a delightful addition amid the current sauna trend. With fewer people around, it was perfect for someone like me who prefers less crowded bathing areas.
The hotel had an exceptionally long hallway. Fortunately, our room was close to the elevator, saving us from navigating the entire length. It's highly recommended for sports enthusiasts, given the corridor's length, exceeding 50 meters.
The photo taken from inside the room is here.
Unfortunately, I couldn't capture the sparkling scenery on this slightly cloudy and rainy day, but the view of the sea satisfied me. I enjoyed watching cars sporadically driving on the newly built bridge.
The room was relatively small, but since it was only for sleeping during the layover, it was comfortable enough. The next morning, with a plan that included breakfast, we enjoyed a buffet in a nearby restaurant. The silver salmon was particularly delicious.
In conclusion, for those transiting through Haneda Airport, I highly recommend this accommodation. I hope it becomes one of your options.
