The tour, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services Tours Plus, stopped at three different locations throughout Naha to show the different sides of the city. 

The first stop was the Naminoue Shinto Shrine, which was originally designed for the protection of the tranquility of all Okinawa.

While at the shrine, tourists took pictures of the various places of worship and participated by saying prayers of their own.

The shrine included a hand washing basin. Visitors typically wash their left hand first, then their right and then rinse their mouth. After washing, visitors approach the shrine itself. If they can, visitors make a donation, bow twice and then stand and clap twice. 

“I especially enjoyed the hand washing ritual,” said Alicia Bailleres-Green, a Marine spouse. “I regret not buying a wish though.”

At the shrine, visitors can buy pieces of wood to write a wish on and hang on a wall filled with hundreds of others.

The tourists then loaded onto the bus which traversed the narrow Naha streets headed for Fukushuen Chinese Garden built in 1992.

“I just thought it was really peaceful and pretty,” said Lyndsey Posada, who arrived on island with her husband in late April. “I also thought it was kind of cool that there was such a serene place in the middle of Naha.”

The garden was built using Chinese ideas and architecture, to symbolize the influence China has had on the Okinawan culture, according to the group’s tour guide.

“I cannot say enough about the Fukoshuen Garden,” said Bailleres-Green who was traveling with her mother on the tour. “It far exceeded my expectations. Mom couldn’t wait to see each and every plant and tree species. She was like a kid in a candy store: wide eyes filled with excitement dying to see the next candy shelf.”

The tourists walked through the garden, which featured a variety of flowers and trees, and fed the fish and turtles for more than an hour.

“Fukoshuen Garden was my favorite because we had enough time to explore it, and it was never redundant,” Bailleres-Green said.

Next was a visit to Kokusai Street for lunch and shopping.

“The best part was probably walking on Kokusai Street and watching all the people and sites, like the vendors and covered side streets,” said Posada.

While on Kokusai Street, the group visited the many small shops and restaurants lining the road. The cuisine ranged from American-style burgers to traditional Okinawan soba.

After the tour, many of the participants agreed they would recommend the tour to others as a good way to explore the island.

“I want to sightsee and try to go to as many places as I can in the three years we are here,” Posada said. “There is so much culture and history here, and I want to learn all about it.”

The majority of MCCS tours are family friendly and are held every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To see a schedule of tours go to http://mccsokinawa.com/mccs.asp?id=31, or call 646-3502.